Business Owner of the Week: Donny Mustapha of Combat Sports Club

Welcome to Business Owner of the Week, a weekly column where we get to know a local business owner a little better. Are you a business owner who would like to be featured in this column? E-mail  krista@patch.com. This week we're catching up with Donny Mustapha of Combat Sports Club.

Q: When and why did you open Combat Sports Club?

A: I opened the Combat Sports Club with my partner Paul Adams Jan 2010. We opened the club with the goal of becoming the areas top mixed martial arts and fitness facility. We wanted to offer Chelmsford an alternative that the traditional gym model, which is 80 percent equipment and 20 percent group training.  We are the exact opposite. The core of the club is group training which constantly breaks the workout up and gives more of a communal feel to it. I feel it's the bonding of members that has given us a great retention rate and keeps people getting results.

Q: How long have you been involved in mixed martial arts and what do you love about it?

A: I have been involved in martial arts since the age of four and have made a lifetime study of it. I fought on a competitive level for 10 years, and love what mixed martial arts has morphed into these athletes are a special breed, there is so much to learn and master to be competitive. The sport is so new and it's exciting to see where it will go.  I also promoted mixed martial arts events for a couple of years. I hosted the first sanctioned event in the state in 2010. I also created a television show which aired on NESN based what a fighter's life is like building up to the fight.

Q: What is the atmosphere of the club?
A: The atmosphere of the Club is probably the biggest selling point. You will hear allot of enthusiasm in our instructors voice as they push you ti bump out one more move or set. You will see allot of smiles believe in our not. We have created a fitness melting pot, our programs range from Zumba, Pilates, boot camps, hot yoga, boxing. Kids Programs, and mixed martial arts. Cross Fit, and Tanning We recently had a major renovation in the club. We also changed the name to The Chelmsford Sports Club. We felt that Combat was a little to aggressive, and unfortunately, were keeping people out who could benefit form our programs. So far the name change has been a hit.

Q: What would you say to any first-timers who are interested in the experience but are on the fence?

A: It's understandable why people would have reservations about joining a gym with mixed martial arts at its base. We hear it day after day how nervous people get coming into the club. I would simply say this. Years of dumbbell repetition, makes you a great dumbbell lifter. Years of running on the treadmill makes you great on performing a simulated run.  Years of mixed martial arts training will give you, confidence, self-defense, fitness, admiration and respect, and last the ability to kick-butt, you decide.

Q: What have you enjoyed about being a business owner in Chelmsford? Do you like the town? Have you had many positive experiences here?

A: I can honestly say that the town of Chelmsford has extended themselves numerous time to help my business along. It's such a great family community which is perfect for our style of club. I look forward to doing business and serving the community for many years.

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Are you a business owner who would like to be featured in this column? E-mail  krista@patch.com. These columns are answers direct from business owners.