Small Biz Spotlight: F3 Friends-Fitness-Fun

Bobbi Mard and her husband Jason decided to open a business in Westborough, where they live, to “bring something new and different to our community.” With backgrounds in software marketing and construction management, they both wanted a significant career change, and decided to open F3 Friends-Fitness-Fun when Jason’s parents, who owned KidsStreet in Needham, retired.

“It’s an exciting endeavor for us, and also a super scary one,” said Mard. “F3 Friends–Fitness–Fun started with the dream of providing a true family activity and enrichment center for Westborough and the surrounding communities, where children and adults alike can have fun, develop new skills, and stay fit and healthy. We have a passion for the art and science of movement and skill development through family fitness, activity, and enrichment. We believe in a quality and enjoyable learning environment that positively encourages and develops the body, mind, and spirit.”

How long have you been open in Westborough, and why are you located here? We opened on Jan. 5 of this year. We wanted to bring something special to the place we live. There are so many businesses in the area that cater to children or adults, but we strove to make F3 a location where caregivers and children could have an enriching, enjoyable experience.

What’s special about the town, and what do you like best about the business? We love meeting and interacting with families in the area, listening to what they need and/or want, and bringing it to them. It’s awesome that we don’t have any major boundaries at the business, and that we can make what the community wants happen. We have also made connections and formed partnerships with other local, small businesses, such as Yummy Mummy Bakery and SkyRise Children’s Theater—which is so great, as we are helping each other to grow!

Biggest struggle? Getting people to see us as a business that offers so much beyond open play has been challenging—our classes are amazing, but can be difficult to fill.

What do you see for the future? Evolution and growth. We are on-trend and want to stay that way. And we’ll evolve to fill needs and gaps in the community.

Politics and small business: how does government affect your business? Argh, taxes! Aside from that, we’ve actually enjoyed working with town officials and the Westborough Police and Fire Departments.

Do you have a business, or know of one, that deserves the spotlight on Patch? Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com and tell us about it.