Business Accelerator Cohort No. 3: FiTbyPhase

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Chad Hasten and Maria Villegas, FiTbyPhase

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After moving to the United States from her native country Colombia, Maria Villegas says she gained weight.

“Like 35 pounds,” she says. “I wanted to start making a change in my life.”

She met her now-husband Chad Hasten while he was earning a master’s degree in sports management. Hasten created a diet and fitness routine to help Villegas reach her fitness goals. They didn’t know it at the time, but the couple says it was the start of their business, FiTbyPhase.

“We were helping a lot of people, and one day we were like, ‘We should charge for this,’” Villegas says.

The FiTbyPhase app provides goal-based exercise and nutrition plans, Hasten says. The program also includes access to an online forum, where subscribers can share successes and challenges. It’s available through a monthly subscription service for $19.99, or $34.99 for additional consultation. There are currently 100 active users.

While the app is open to anyone, Hasten says the target market is people of South American descent. The app is available in English and Spanish.

During the 12-week accelerator program, Hasten says he hopes to improve the company’s branding and explore options for growth.

Villegas says starting the company has been difficult, but seeing the clients reach their fitness goals has made it worthwhile. 

“We are trying to do our best every day for our members,” she says.