Local entrepreneurs bring Warrior Nutrition to Springfield

After making frequent trips to get their fix of energizing teas and protein shakes from Knights Nutrition in Enon, Springfield entrepreneurs James and Danielle Chapman decided they would take a leap of faith and open a similar nutrition club business on Upper Valley Pike.

“We were really enjoying their energizing teas and going to get breakfast shakes and teas because we’ve been trying to cut back on things like pop and focus on putting better things in our bodies,” says Danielle, who has been a local real estate agent for almost 17 years – a business she continues as she jumps into this new venture.

After some research and realizing how similar kinds of nutrition clubs have been popping up both locally – including Knights Nutrition in Enon and Downtown Nutrition in Urbana – and nationally, they decided to dive in and teamed with Enon’s club owners to learn the ropes and business model.

The Chapmans locked in on a storefront at 1093A Upper Valley Pike, and they started transforming the space to create the club aesthetic they hoped for, complete with a drink bar, couch and graffiti-style painting of the business name on the wall.

Warrior Nutrition, as well as the other clubs in the area, use Herbalife branded ingredients to make customized protein shakes – think Peanut Butter Cheesecake or Brownie Batter – and energizing teas enhanced with vitamins, minerals and protein.

The business celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 4, and the Chapmans say they’ve been excited by the community support they’ve received so far.

Nutrition clubs, the Chapmans says, have become popular around Columbus and Athens, Ohio, and many college students who were home for winter break stopped into Warrior Nutrition to place their orders and share their excitement of having this kind of club in Springfield.

To help attract new customers, Danielle says they hosted a "sip and shop" event before the holidays, and James says the shop recently kicked off its first weight loss challenge group activity, for which Warrior Nutrition has partnered with Champion City Cross Fit.

In the challenge, members pay a fee to participate, which provides them with incentives, such as an online support group with other members, some of the nutrition club products to use at home, and scheduled fitness time when they can gather to exercise.

“The weight loss challenge helps get people into the mindset of what the mission is behind a nutrition club,” James says. “Like watching your intake and committing to exercise.”

Champion City Cross Fit has been a great partnership, Danielle says, because the location is opening its doors to Warrior Nutrition weight loss club members for the exercise sessions for free.

“When you find other businesses that are willing to support your business and vice versa, that is what’s helping all our businesses thrive,” Danielle says. “I’m not just here to have my business do well – I want other businesses to succeed, too.

“While we’re doing business here, we want the Urbana and Enon nutrition shops to thrive, too. And we’re all here to help support everybody’s business in our community.”

In addition to selling made-to-order teas and shakes, Warrior Nutrition also sells the products used to make their concoctions for customers who want to go a do-it-yourself route.

James, who also owns JCL Installs, an above ground pool installation company, is a South High School graduate, and Danielle graduated from Shawnee High School.

The couple say future goals could include opening an additional club in the Springfield area, possibly on the East side of town or in Northridge. But for now, their focus is on working to continue growing their current location, especially through social media marketing.

As lifelong Springfield residents and entrepreneurs who already have successful, established businesses individually, James says he and Danielle have always taken to supporting new and local businesses whenever they can.

“I believe in being here because this is our hometown,” Danielle says. “This is where we grew up and where we planted roots for our family, and we want to see it succeed and grow.

“So, bringing things to Springfield is important, so there are things for local people to do and to have in our town.”