Yuma gym owner wins statewide Small Business Week honor

A Yuma gym built on Army discipline just earned statewide recognition, giving Peter Romero and Camp Titan Fitness a platform that goes beyond a trophy and into the local economy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is marking National Small Business Week from May 3 to May 9, and one of Arizona’s honorees is Romero, owner of the veteran-owned, family-operated Camp Titan Fitness in Yuma. The award matters in practical terms: small businesses make up 99% of all U.S. businesses, create two out of every three new jobs, and employ about half of the workforce. For Yuma County, that puts a neighborhood business into a larger economic story about who hires, who trains workers, and who keeps money circulating close to home.

Romero said the recognition means a lot because it reflects both his military service and the chance to serve the community in a different way after leaving the Army. Camp Titan Fitness, which was filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission on June 7, 2021, has built its identity around strength, accountability and discipline. The business says it offers small-group training, personal coaching and fat-loss programs, and its website describes it as veteran-owned and faith-based. It also says it has more than 200 happy Titans, a sign that the gym has turned a niche brand into a loyal customer base in a city where repeat business can make or break a small operation.

The company’s growth has also been tied to the Small Business Development Center, part of America’s SBDC network, which the SBA calls its most extensive partnership program for management and technical assistance. Romero credited counseling, workshops and networking opportunities with helping him see different perspectives from business professionals and sharpen his path. An SBDC counselor described him as disciplined and committed to motivating others and promoting healthier lifestyles across generations, a reminder that the gym’s value is not just in memberships but in the routines and accountability it helps build.

The statewide honor also lands in a year when Yuma is producing more than one Arizona small-business standout. Arizona’s Small Business Person of the Year is Alma Ornelas of The Best Taquito in Yuma, reinforcing that the county’s business base is broad enough to compete on a statewide stage. The SBA’s 2026 Virtual Summit, held May 5 and 6, added another layer to the week with workshops, federal resources, networking and mentorship. For Yuma, the message is clear: veteran entrepreneurship, local hiring and customer loyalty are not abstract goals. They are the habits that keep small businesses growing long after the plaques are handed out.