Three longtime friends—each with their own journey—came together with a shared mission: to bring inclusive fitness to the special needs community in San Diego. Their franchise, Special Strong San Diego, is as much about community and compassion as it is about strength and strategy.
Tell me a bit about yourself – what does your background look like?
Sana: I have a degree in applied nutrition and public health, but most of what I bring to this work comes from being a mom to a child with autism, ADHD, and learning differences. For years, I’ve been involved in advocacy, community outreach, and support networks. That personal experience gave me a deep understanding of what families like mine really need.
Deepa: I was a software engineer before becoming a full-time parent and advocate. My son has special needs, and being his mom has changed my perspective on everything. I’ve been involved with support groups, education initiatives, and inclusion advocacy for years now. I bring an analytical mindset and a passion for building something that truly matters.
Umama: I’ve always had a business background, but what brought me to this work was witnessing my close friends—Sana and Deepa—navigate life with their kids. Being part of their lives for over a decade opened my eyes to how critical these services are. I wanted to do more than empathize—I wanted to be part of the solution.
How did you end up here? Why did you pick Special Strong?
Sana: I first discovered Special Strong when looking for programs to help my son become more active. The more I learned, the more I felt like it was the perfect fit—not just for him, but for our whole community. This wasn’t just about exercise; it was about confidence, connection, and growth.
Deepa: The heart behind the brand spoke to me immediately. I loved that Special Strong didn’t just accommodate differences—it celebrated them. It felt empowering and purposeful.
Umama: For me, this was about joining forces with people I trust and admire to do something that makes a real impact. Seeing the transformation in our own families, I knew we could extend that to others.
Were there any concerns that you had going into this process?
Sana: Absolutely. Starting any business brings questions—Are we ready? Will it work? Can we manage it all? But the more we met with the Special Strong team, the more those concerns melted into excitement. Their system was so clear and their support was so genuine.
Deepa: There’s always uncertainty in the beginning, but I never felt alone. Every step of the way, we had someone to answer questions and guide us.
Umama: For me, it was less about fear and more about commitment. Once I saw the structure and the support that came with the franchise, I was all in.
From start to finish, what was the process like of becoming a franchisee?
Deepa: It was a very organized process. We had discovery calls, training sessions, meetings with the leadership team—it all felt very intentional and step-by-step. That made us feel confident.
Sana: It wasn’t overwhelming at all. Every stage was clear, and we always knew what came next. The team was amazing at helping us feel prepared.
Umama: It was honestly better than I expected. I come from a business background, and this was one of the smoothest onboarding experiences I’ve seen.
During the process, what did you learn from talking with other franchisees?
Sana: The biggest thing was how collaborative the culture is. Everyone said the same thing: “You’re never on your own.” That meant a lot.
Deepa: Hearing about the wins, the challenges, and how other franchisees navigated them helped us visualize what this could look like in our community.
What would you tell someone else who is considering becoming a franchisee?
Deepa: If you have a heart for this work, don’t hesitate. The system is in place—you just have to bring your passion and follow it.
Sana: You don’t have to do this alone. The support you get from Special Strong is real and consistent. If this speaks to your heart, take that first step.
What were some of the most attractive components of the business model?
Sana: Not having to rent or own a physical space was huge. That made the business more accessible and scalable.
Deepa: The comprehensive training stood out. We didn’t feel like we had to figure everything out on our own—they gave us the tools we needed.
Umama: From the business side, I appreciated how streamlined everything was. The franchise model is well-thought-out, and that gave me a lot of confidence.
What made you overcome your fears and say YES to Special Strong?
Sana: Once we met the team and saw how passionate and knowledgeable they were, all the initial fear turned into belief. We felt like we belonged.
Deepa: Seeing the potential for transformation—not just for our clients, but for ourselves—made the decision feel right.
Umama: I trusted the mission, I trusted my team, and I saw a real opportunity to give back in a big way.
What did you think about the start-up costs and fees with Special Strong?
Deepa: Very reasonable. For the amount of support and structure you receive, it’s more than fair.
Umama: It felt like a smart investment. You’re buying into a system that works and a mission that matters.
