After decades in corporate marketing, Mike Bevan knew he was ready for something different—something personal. Inspired by his son Mikey, who is intellectually disabled, Mike decided to use his next chapter to serve others through inclusive fitness. Now, as the owner of Special Strong Chicago in the Western Suburbs, he’s combining his lifelong passion for fitness with a mission that hits close to home.
Tell me a bit about yourself – what does your background look like?
I’ve spent most of my professional life in corporate marketing and leadership roles, including time with Midas Auto Services, Life Fitness, and Chamberlain Group. But when my son Mikey was born with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy, it shifted my priorities. I started pulling back on the professional hustle and focused more on being present at home. That decision helped reframe what “success” meant to me. Over time, I realized I wanted my second act to be about something meaningful—something that would outlast me.
How did you end up here? Why did you pick Special Strong?
I’ve been following Special Strong for a while. The first time I saw one of their posts, I was struck by the athletes—seeing people who reminded me of my son thriving in a fitness space. It just hit me. I even found myself promoting their content before I was officially involved. Eventually, I reached out to Daniel, but at the time, the Illinois territory wasn’t available. We stayed in touch, and when the opportunity came back around last September, the timing was right. It felt like this was the thing I’d been preparing for.
Were there any concerns that you had going into this process?
Absolutely. After 35 years of steady paychecks, I am staring down a future without a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks. And there is the fear—what if I fail? What if this doesn’t work? But once I aligned the mission with what I wanted to do—and more importantly, who I wanted to be—it became clear that this was my next chapter. I’m still nervous, sure, but I’m also fully committed.
From start to finish, what was the process like of becoming a franchisee?
It’s been a journey that started years ago as I started to think about life after corporate. I met with a franchise/career coach who helped me explore opportunities based on my interests. Fitness came up then, but I wasn’t ready. Fast-forward to last September, I saw Special Strong pop up in my social feed again and decided to revisit the idea. I reconnected and spoke with Dominique and then Daniel. The discovery process was thorough but personal. I appreciated how they took the time to get to know me—and made sure I was the right fit, too.
During the process, what did you learn from talking with other franchisees?
That this is a community of mission-driven people. Every franchisee I spoke to had their own reason for getting into this work, but the common thread was their heart for the special needs community. They were also refreshingly honest—sharing both their challenges and wins. That transparency meant a lot to me, and I know I’ll be able to lean on them as I get started.
What would you tell someone else who is considering becoming a franchisee?
Start by looking inward. Search your soul. Make sure your heart is in it—and consider how this will affect your family and lifestyle. Then, do the homework. Talk to franchisees. Build out your pro formas and map out your financial picture. It’s not just about passion—it’s about being smart and prepared.
What were some of the most attractive components of the business model?
First off, the low entry cost. Compared to other franchise opportunities I’ve explored, it’s incredibly accessible. But what really sealed it for me was the alignment with my life: fitness, faith, and family. Special Strong checks all those boxes.
What made you overcome your fears and say YES to Special Strong?
I had already bought into the mission long before I signed the papers. The last piece was financial viability—could I sustain the lifestyle my family and I are used to? So I built out the numbers, did my break-even analysis, and ran pro formas. Once I saw the potential, I went for it. And funny enough, I still keep a fortune cookie message in my nightstand that says, “Take that chance you’ve been considering.” I’m not superstitious, but that one hit home.
What did you think about the start-up costs and fees with Special Strong?
Very reasonable. Compared to other brands I’ve looked at, it’s low-risk, high-reward. The fees are in line with what you’d expect, and you’re getting a ton of value with the brand, the systems, and the support.
