Don Brown’s path to success was unconventional.  He graduated from high school, never went to college, and went straight to work as a butcher in a local supermarket.  Don always loved fitness and became a part-time instructor at night at a Jack LaLanne Nautilus Studio.  For the next several years, Don worked 70-hour weeks as a full-time butcher and a part-time fitness instructor.  Don used his vacation time from the supermarket to obtain various fitness trainer certifications from health institutes all over the country, including three certifications from the prestigious Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. 

In 1986, Don Brown was informed that the Jack LaLanne Nautilus Studio was closing its doors.  Don saw an opportunity: he left his job in the supermarket and used his savings plus a $50,000 loan to open his own fitness center.  On October 15, 1986, Don opened the Excellence in Xercise® Health and Fitness Center, in the old Jack LaLanne location.  Don grew his one location into a chain of successful health clubs.

The Billion Dollar Product Idea

One day, while sitting at his desk, Don Brown had a great idea for a new fitness product invention.  Don had a client who was recovering from a car collision and suffered from neck pain while doing sit-ups.  Don wanted to design something that would isolate the abdominal muscles without forcing his injured client to put her hands behind her head and pull on her neck while doing a traditional sit-up.  He bent a paper clip into the shape of a small rocking device, and the rest of the story made retail sales history.  Don Brown's invention—Ab Roller®—quickly became one of the most successful products ever, with over $1 billion in sales.

Today, the Ab Roller is an integral piece of exercise equipment which most athletes and health-conscious people use as a part of any complete fitness routine.  The Ab Roller is used in most gyms, fitness centers and health clubs throughout the world.  Over 10 million people also own a consumer model for home use.

After the success of the Ab Roller, Don Brown has helped other inventors turn their ideas into profitable products.  Don has also authored a new book called Invent Yourself Rich: 16 Secrets for Creating Million-Dollar Inventions, published by Westholme Publishing in April 2007.