“We didn’t have family here; we didn’t have anyone here, and WESTconsin was the very first to open their door,” recalls Sharon Gilbert. “They were the very first to say ‘we’re glad you’re here!’”

Herman and Sharon Gilbert moved to the area six years ago after Herman retired from his job in the automotive industry. With their three children now away at college, the Gilberts decided to mark this new phase of their life by going into a business they could run side-by-side. As personal trainers, they’d enjoyed working with individual clients; recently, with the help of WESTconsin, they secured financing to open their own Anytime Fitness health club franchise.

“We called the credit union on one day, and the next day they had the paperwork ready,” Sharon recalls. “It feels like you’re the only person they’re working with.”

A few minutes with the Gilberts are all it takes to see why they so effectively inspire their club’s members to greater fitness and a healthier lifestyle!