3 minute read
Ned Duke Jr. | The Entrepreneur
BY DAVID GONZALEZ | DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC INITIATIVES & BRENDAN SALYARDS | MANAGER OF ECONOMIC INITIATIVES
Although relatively new to York County, New Jersey native Ned Duke Jr. has ecome a ture in New ree om. e has a passion or tness ecause he sees it as being something for everyone and is customizable to each person. While visiting a friend in or in he was o ere a position at a nationa chain gym. Compared to what he saw in New Jersey, or o ere a more a or a e ua ity cost o i in and a community more willing to support one another – especially entrepreneurs. To him, it was an easy decision to move to York County. “I appreciate the togetherness of the community,” he shares. “People want to see you succeed.”
Deciding to go into business for himself was based off the limited flexibility he saw at big box gyms. The building, which would become the eventual home of Freedom Fitness & Training was built in 1923, had sat vacant for fifteen years and needed a lot of work. Ned and his team renovated the building to begin taking on clients and to this day continues to make improvements to the entire facility. Located at 52 E. High Street in New Freedom, the gym is full-service, offering Personal Training, Fitness Classes, and Boot Camps, as well as a full weight room, cardio equipment, and boxing equipment.
Ned built his network of clients by striving to be an instructor that is flexible and can meet the challenges people bring to him – something he is prideful of at Freedom Fitness & Training. This has included, offering discounts for Veterans and First Responders, working with income-restricted clients, and providing options for parents to bring their children if childcare is an obstacle. In addition to personal training, Freedom Fitness & Training offers a wide array of classes and boot camps to meet varying fitness goals. “I’m trying to do the work, give back and create a business that meets our client’s needs,” he shares.
In addition to the impact through his business, Ned and his team actively host charitable and community activities. Last year, they held a toy drive for the Dream Center Community Closet and recently started raising money for Hope’s Haven, a ministry that serves children who have been in the foster care system. Additionally, the business is sponsoring and helping to organize the 2nd Annual Day of Hope in New Freedom and will do a toy drive for the Children’s Home of York. The Grand Opening of Freedom Fitness and Training in May of 2022 was a shining example of Ned’s character. The event was billed more as a celebration of the people who have supported the business and an opportunity to bring the community together.
When asked what motives him to get up at 2 AM every day to open his business, Ned says, “The impact on the amount of people that I affect, directly or indirectly. That’s gratifying, knowing that I can help somebody.”
