ONYX AUTOMOTIVE’S INNOVATIVE TEAM BUILDING
Story by Kim Carpenter // Photography by Bill Sitzmann
When ONYX Automotive opened in Heartwood Preserve in 2019, it created an unparalleled luxury dealership featuring four premium brands: BMW, MINI, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Establishing such a best-in-class experience also required putting together a best-in-class team, one that could anticipate and meet client needs at every juncture. Ever innovative, ONYX approaches team-building by thinking outside the box.
Enter Tyler Novak of NCFIT Omaha, a gym dedicated to group-based strength and conditioning classes. Novak opened the business, located in the southwest part of the metro, in 2022 alongside brother, Scott, and brother-in-law, Easton Meadows.
“I was introduced to this kind of training in college in 2013,” Novak, 30, shared. “Scott and I used to work out together in my garage in Ralston.”
Describing that set-up as a “100-year-old chicken coop” that the brothers renovated, Novak recounted how they would make kettle bells out of cement and attach handles. “We were college kids balling on a budget,” he laughed.
Soon, friends started joining them for workouts, as did neighbors. Before they knew it, they had a regular group meeting every day to work out together. It wasn’t long before the brothers, along with Meadows, decided to make it official by opening NCFIT Omaha.
“Movements are functional, like squatting and box step ups, and getting up off the ground,” Novak explained. “Most days, we do some type of strength training.
“One of our mottos is being able to live freely and fully. Whether you want to do a 5K-run or go hiking or skiing, you want to be able to do those kinds of activities as long as you’re alive. You’re not limited or just trying to keep up with your grandkids.”
That kind of approach appealed to Drew Friesen, Director of Operations at ONYX Automotive, who shared on his ONYX profile: “I believe in coaching as a management style; after all, we run this ship together. I love helping my staff to become independent and achieve their personal goals, thereby achieving the company’s goals. Clients know that we will go above and beyond for them, cultivating an atmosphere of trust.”
When Friesen began working out at NCFIT Omaha in 2023, he saw improvement in his overall fitness. In addition to working with the gym’s trainers, he sought nutritional coaching from Novak’s wife, Jordan, who runs Jordan’s Nutrition & Fitness Coaching and serves as NCFIT Omaha’s nutritional counselor.
“He just loved the results,” Novak remarked. “Drew approached us about bringing his team into the gym. He asked, ‘Do you guys do specialty group training?’ He wanted team building one time a month for his management team.”
The two settled on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:45 a.m. Novak designed custom classes that would lead to team building through partner work. “We focus on the team aspects,” he said. “There is something about going through a tough workout with people. You know what each other is feeling. It becomes a community.”
The response at ONYX has been overwhelmingly positive. “A handful of guys are already looking to join the gym full-time,” said Novak, who hopes to expand the bespoke team-building training sessions to other area businesses. “The feedback has been great—working out together takes the stress off.”
“I believe in coaching as a management style; after all, we run this ship together. I love helping my staff to become independent and achieve their personal goals, thereby achieving the company’s goals. Clients know that we will go above and beyond for them, cultivating an atmosphere of trust.”
— DREW FRIESEN
For more information, visit ncfitomaha.com, jordsnutrition.com, and onyxautomotive.com.
