Kim Freid is a multi-unit franchise owner at Apex Leadership Company, a dynamic fundraising franchise that’s pours millions of dollars into elementary and middle schools each year through hosting fitness-focused events, including fun runs and obstacle courses.
Company: Apex Leadership Company
Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
I am a multi-unit franchise owner with Apex Leadership Company, a fundraising franchise that pours millions of dollars into k-8 schools each year by hosting a two-week long leadership program that culminates in a fitness-focused fundraising event. I discovered Apex over a decade ago when, as a volunteer for my child’s PTA, I hired them to do a fun run at our school. That fun run raised over $26K — more money than our school had ever raised before. I was blown away by the simplicity and effectiveness of Apex’s program, and knew I had to be a part of it.
Coincidentally, Apex was looking to sell franchises in hopes of aiding more schools across the country. Faced with a business endeavor I never saw coming but was too good to pass up, I became the brand’s first franchisee in 2012. 12 years later, I am proud to say that I am a top franchisee with Apex Leadership Co., with 19 territories across California and bringing in millions of dollars to local schools.
What does success mean to you beyond financial growth, and how has your definition evolved over time?
On a small level, I define success by win-win transactions. In the business world, I’ve found that many people tend to focus strictly on their own gains, financial and otherwise. The philosophy that I live by and encourage my employees to live by is that every interaction, contract, or deal that we enter should be mutually beneficial for every party involved. I apply this philosophy both internally with my team and externally with my clients, and find that success by this standard is a lot sweeter.
On a larger scale, success is now about significance over financial growth for me. I’m blessed to have a reached a point where I’ve achieved great financial success, so I focus my energy on the impact I have on my employees, peers and community. I take great pride in helping my employees succeed and find their calling, developing into the best they can be. That is why Apex Leadership Company’s mission of building leaders within the next generation resonates with me so much.
Can you share a specific failure or major setback that unexpectedly led to a significant breakthrough in your career?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a major setback for my business, but one that ultimately drove our success. All of our franchise locations had to stop their services and all of our contracts became null and void. With new PTA leaders taking over at many schools, we lost most of our relationships with our clients. We had to essentially start from scratch. However, that challenge led to a breakthrough – I hired a sales team, which was something I hadn’t done before. Now, I have three wonderful sales reps who have rebuilt our business essentially from the ground up and who understand Apex’s mission deeply.
How do you measure personal fulfillment and impact in your role as an entrepreneur or CEO?
As a business owner, I find fulfillment in being able to build connections with my employees beyond just our professional relationships. As I mentioned before, helping my employees realize their full potential in their professional and personal lives is a passion of mine. Celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them through their journey, and seeing them spread that same encouragement to their colleagues and the schools they work with, is extremely meaningful.
It is also incredible to see the impact that our Apex Leadership Co. teams have on the local schools. Beyond raising funds, Apex’s core mission is to build leaders within the next generation of students. Hearing feedback from teachers and parents who say that their kids are still doing the Apex chant or applying our leadership lessons after the team has left their campus warms my heart and reminds me that I am in the right business.
What unconventional advice or practice has helped you overcome challenges and redefine your approach to business?
The quote that I live by to help me overcome challenging times is, “No winter last forever; No spring skips its turn.” -Hal Borland. This mindset encourages me to maintain resilience during tough times, while also being sure to celebrate our achievements and appreciate the good moments fully.
I have also found that working with young children can teach you lots of life lessons. For example, we once worked with a 7th grader who was being bullied. Instead of escalating the situation and causing further divide between the two classmates, we helped her write a letter to her bully that suggested that despite their differences, she would like to be friends. This approach not only diffused the tension but also sparked an unlikely friendship. She showed us the kind notes they wrote in each other’s yearbooks at the end of the year. This specific experience reminded me the value of being creative and compassionate in the face of conflict, something that I keep in mind every day.
How have your setbacks shaped the culture and values of your organization? Can you give an example of how these values are reflected in daily operations?
In my previous career, I witnessed a lot of cutthroat and competitive behavior which created a negative culture at the company. I knew that in my own business with Apex Leadership Co., I wanted to build a different kind of culture – one based on support and collaboration. I saw this in action recently, when we had a big promotion opportunity at our company. Four of our employees applied, and although only one person got the job, the others celebrated the promotion with such grace and genuineness that it made me wish we could promote them all!
