Connection is Key for Glen Burnie Business Owner

May 11, 2018

“As a business owner, I want to connect with other organizations and businesses in the community. I want to get involved and see how I can help our community.” That idea is at the heart of Glen Burnie Fitness and Nutrition and a top priority for the center’s owner Butch Santucci.

Through his engagement with affinity networks, he was inspired so much by talking to local healthcare and recovery organizations that he implemented the Sobriety WOD – Work Out of the Day – program. He says “I met people who are trying to overcome an addiction or live in a healthier way. The Sobriety WOD is free class which is a great way for people to relieve stress and worry but in a positive way. It’s an opportunity for them to be part of a community and have a support system as they struggle to live a healthier life.”

The Sobriety WOD and Glen Burnie Fitness and Nutrition are run out of Santucci’s Wreck Room CrossFit facility where he’s built a close community of people focused on living a healthier lifestyle. “We’re not just a place where you have a workout buddy. It’s really a much tighter network of people that are happy when you succeed and are always kind of propelling you forward.”

Santucci says the friendly and supportive atmosphere has been helpful in growing his client base mostly from word of mouth from current members who are important ambassadors. “If they’re happy and tell their friends about us, we get new members who already know a little bit about our community and are choosing to be part this terrific group. That approach works for us because we’re familiar with who is coming in.”

Santucci’s entrepreneurial journey began about a decade ago at a CrossFit gym in Baltimore City. After becoming a member, he eventually became an instructor and then was coaching others in his free time. “I decided I wanted to do more and I really didn’t like my day job anyway. I have been at this current location since I started the business four years ago.”

As a local business owner, Santucci has jumped into a number of volunteer roles to make a difference in the Glen Burnie community. He has used his fitness experience to volunteer at Glendale Elementary. “I help with their running club and serve as a mentor to some of the boys at school. I’ve introduced other colleagues to volunteer opportunities at the school.”

Santucci has two lines of advice for entrepreneurs. The first is to not be afraid to ask for help. As a startup four years ago, Santucci was challenged with getting people to know about his business. “Luckily, I met a group of people who mentored me which had a really positive impact on my business. The group specialized in helping owners of CrossFit gyms so they knew the business well.”

The second piece of advice Santucci offers is to be of help to someone else. “It’s about showing you care about what someone else doing and being helpful to them.” The Pasadena native has even begun producing the Glen Burnie Community Connect podcast to highlight people in Anne Arundel County and the work they do in serving the community. “These are people who are making a difference in the community for the better and we want to share what they are doing. It’s a way to connect all small and large businesses, schools, non-profits, county officials, and public servants together using the Help First mentality.”

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