Randy and Evonne Freemon have been together since both were 14. Their marriage is a partnership that's withstood the test of time.
So it comes as no surprise that the couple's businesses, Freemon Marine and Freemon Fitness, were both built with that partnership in mind. Randy started repairing boats in 1987, learning the trade from his father, Cecil Freemon, and he turned that skill into a successful business after the shop he worked for closed.
Evonne's business is fitness, and she's a constant presence at Freemon Fitness, located next door to Freemon Marine on Highway 24 West in Russellville.
This year, Freemon Fitness is celebrating 20 years of business. It's truly a family affair, as the Freemons' son Joe helped build the business working with clients needing physical therapy. He worked while he was in physical therapy school and brought in a number of older clients who went on to join the gym.
Evonne has the gym set up for everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience, to succeed. She meets new members and gives them a tour of the facility and explains how the various machines work. Freemon helps new members make a workout sheet they can follow just by looking at the number on each machine.
“We try to help them get started with a 6-8 week program where they can get used to the machines. All they've got to do is find the number and workout. We help people who aren't familiar with working out,” Freemon said. “We also have Rickey Smith who offers personal training if they want that kind of service.”
Smith, a fitness specialist who owns Personal Touch Fitness, joined Freemon's shortly after it opened. Soon thereafter, he asked Freemon if he could train his clients there and Evonne said he could.
“The reason I wanted to join and train clients here is because it's so clean,” Smith said. “They are cleaning everyday. I've trained people for over 40 years and Freemon's is the cleanest gym I've ever trained in.
“They have the best equipment you could ask for. They're always adding new pieces of equipment as well. Evonne is super nice and runs a tight ship. No one gets in unless you're a member or needing a tour if you're thinking about joining. She's very accommodating and bends over backwards for her members,” he added.
When Randy first opened Freemon Marine, he tried to get Evonne to work with him but that turned out to be 'too much togetherness.' With the two businesses next to each other, there's at least a little distance between them during the day.
Each year, Evonne makes some improvement to Freemon's Fitness. Through the years, she's added shower facilities, and she regularly adds new equipment.
“The neatest thing about being in business 20 years is the kids we first signed up when we opened are now starting to sign their kids up. We've watched a whole generation grow,” Evonne said.
“We have great customer loyalty. Our long-time members like the atmosphere and cleanliness. We make sure if someone sends their kids up here there will be a good, safe environment for everybody,” she added.
Regardless of your fitness level, Evonne said Freemon's Fitness offers a relaxed, non-judgmental environment to workout.
“Some women worry about what if they do something wrong or aren't able to do too much, but everyone does their own thing here,” Evonne said. “If you need a hand, most of our members are more than glad to help you, but nobody's watching to see how much of a workout you're doing.”
Freemon Marine and Freemon's Fitness are successful in large part because Randy and Evonne are teammates in providing a safe, clean place to workout and fair and honest repair service on boats.
Although Randy's father passed away two years ago, Cecil Freemon lives on through the work ethic he taught his son.
“I started fixing lawn mowers with my dad. He was my biggest influence. My dad instilled in me his work ethic and taught me how to work on just about anything,” Randy said.
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