After more than a decade working in business development for international law firms, Lauren Macaulay was ready to explore a new career path. Her husband Billy, employed in the Private Equity sphere, shared in her enthusiasm. A franchise consultant presented them with multiple opportunities, but TITLE Boxing Club felt like the perfect match. They were drawn to TITLE’S mission of providing more than just a great workout for their members. TITLE strives to be the best hour of someone’s day by creating a positive, welcoming environment where individuals of all ages and fitness levels can get a great workout and community connection. Fast forward 8 years and three children later, Lauren is a multi-unit franchisee of 4 TITLE locations: Woburn, North Andover, Burlington and Nashua, New Hampshire.

Northern recently spoke with Lauren about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her business, employees and the community of members they serve. Lauren relayed that when social distancing requirements were announced, she was determined to find a way to maintain her members’ “third place”. People have their homes, their workplace, and then TITLE tends to be that third place for its members. More than just a gym, it is a community where members and trainers help support each other’s physical and mental health. The TITLE team quickly decided to develop virtual opportunities that would keep members engaged with fitness, as well as ensure they still felt connected as a community. “We needed to really think outside of the box” Lauren explained, and from that came virtual classes, group challenges, meetups, and fundraisers. Even though the gym was empty, the TITLE team kept their members’ schedules full!

Of course, gaining the “quarantine 15” shouldn’t be people’s number one concern, but rather Lauren and her team recognized their member community’s desire for routine, structure, support and accountability. They developed “T-10” morning workouts for members who only have a short amount of time to devote to exercising, such as the parents working full time while also homeschooling, or first responders working long shifts. You can join via Zoom and get your day going with a quick 10-minute HITT (high-intensity interval training) workout. Also, TITLE often has member events outside of the Club, so her team started “TITLE Night In”, inviting members to virtual meetups where they wear silly costumes, play games, celebrate small wins like getting dressed that day and, sometimes, just vent. They put together a BINGO board of challenges, which included items like - do an online workout or make a healthy meal and share a photo on social media -that members could complete at home. “Yes, it sounds cheesy”, Lauren explains, “but if it brings a smile to someone’s face and can help create a best hour of their day, then the TITLE team is sticking to their mission.” That is a prime example of how this business will #StayTrue to their customers no matter how many pandemic punches they take.

Not only has the TITLE community come together to support each other during the pandemic, but they have also channeled their efforts to support causes in need. “People feel helpless right now, and they want to be helpful, to support others”, Lauren told us. So, they transitioned their in-club box-a-thon fundraisers into virtual ones. They have raised nearly two thousand dollars for the Asperger/Autism network, and along with other locations, over six thousand dollars for Direct Relief, focused on aiding health workers on the front lines. Lauren and her team also offer free virtual classes to non-members. They see the importance of people having exercise as an outlet and feeling connected during a very isolating situation.

It is quite an amazing feat how, for the past six weeks, Lauren and Billy have kept their business running, while being the full-time caregivers and educators for their three children; one who is only five months old. Of course, this requires a lot of juggling and long days, but Lauren says she is energized by “seeing people come together and support each other” as well as those glimpses of baby smiles.

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your #StayTrue story, our communities are lucky to have you and your team!

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