The Business of Boutique Fitness

Although boutique fitness for mass market consumption is only about 20 years old, it has altered the fitness industry forever. And, y’all, what’s up ahead looks incredibly promising!   Peek into the crystal ball as Coach Rachel Prairie and I reveal some exciting predictions for the next 10 years in Episode 678: The Next Decade of Boutique Fitness, Part 1.    Hot spots: lots of innovation & education in APAC, Australia, Western Europe   The powerhouse: 47% of new studio openings are Pilates (majority Reformer) Good feeling: recovery, wellness and functional medicine are on fire Girl power: huge female-driven health opportunities with boutique members Stronger than ever: strength training continues to surge worldwide    With the industry expected to grow from $51.6B today to $85.9B by 2030, studio owners should be proactively seeking opportunities to scale now. Episode 678 gives you some options.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

If you’re considering adding more studio locations, pop-ups can be your friend. They’re a low-cost, low-risk, high-ROI way to gain visibility, gauge interest and drive demand.   Discover all that’s possible as I chat with Heather Garrick, our Bespoke program CMO, in Episode 677: From Zero to Launch in 100 Days: Inside Tonal's Bold Studio Debut in NYC.    Know your goals: specify exactly what you want to learn and measure Identify your audience: target your client avatars immediately Start marketing early: build rising anticipation with waitlists and pre-sale Make contingency plans: be ready to pivot when delays and challenges arise Own the experience: make an incredible impression with exceptional service   Y’all, the Tonal Training Lab was a phenomenal success in terms of awareness and lead gen, but we don’t recommend a 100-day timeline. Be inspired by this epic story in Episode 677.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

In part 3 of this series about uncomfortable conversations, we’re addressing what every successful boutique fitness studio owner eventually encounters: tough convos with clients.   Coach Matt Hanton and I unpack these member interactions in Episode 676: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands).    Speak truth: acknowledge that, in fact, the client is NOT always right Expect criticism: respond to every review factually, respectfully and thoughtfully  Play by the rules: enforce Code of Conduct violations immediately and consistently Equip and empower: train and expect your team to act; back them up Cover your bases: record meetings, bring a witness, create a paper trail    How you handle these conversations impacts your profitability, your team/client culture and your studio’s reputation in the community. Episode 676 is your go-to guide.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Welcome to part 2 of our 3-part series where we try to get comfortable with the uncomfortable (and inevitable) discussions of a studio owner.    In Episode 675: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands), Coach Matt Hanton and I hit the topic of talks with your team.    Hone your tone: always treat people relationally, not transactionally Tell it like it is: be direct and candid; don’t sugarcoat or complicate Try SBI: use the non-personal Situation, Behavior, Impact approach  Crunch the numbers: share benchmarks and expenses for compensation convos Normalize feedback: provide informal reviews and regular performance evals    Ultimately, it’s all about respect, honesty and a mutual mission to support the business. Grab our practical recos in Episode 675.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

To be successful, every studio owner needs to manage uncomfortable conversations. So let’s dive into the common anxiety-triggering topics of price increases and rent negotiations.     Join Coach Matt Hanton and me as we kick off this 3-part series with Episode 674: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands).   Plan on price jumps: expect them as a natural part of every business Learn your numbers: know current utilization rate, expenses and break-even  Be transparent: communicate clearly and use graphics to specify costs Present a compelling case: negotiate with data and industry benchmarks Prioritize relationships: simplify negotiations and emphasize loyalty and trust   Save time, money and stress by preparing for and tackling uncomfortable conversations with confidence. Master talks about money matters in Episode 674.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Although some studio owners feel like “sales” is a dirty word, the reality is that it’s the lifeblood of your business. Establishing a natural rhythm can help integrate this critical responsibility.   In Episode 673: The Sales Rhythm that Grows Fitness Studios, Coach Caroline Plambeck outlines how you can develop an organized, cyclical sales process.    Paint the panorama: identify annual goals, then break into quarterly targets Get granular: reverse-engineer monthly, weekly and daily goals from annual numbers Appoint ownership: delegate sales responsibilities to all team members Aim broadly: address intro offers, reactivations, winbacks and current members Touch base: use shift reports, check-ins and data for real-time status   Winning at sales doesn’t mean you need a new offer every week – or the lowest prices. Sales isn’t just hustle – it’s about rhythm and routine. Create your cadence with Episode 673.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

A question I get all the time is, “What are the highest performing studios in the world actually doing?” Sustainable profitability and a growth trajectory are key, but how do they get there?   To find out, join me for Episode 672: What the Top Studios Are Doing Right Now. I’m sharing what I consistently observe in thousands of studios we work with around the world.   Relentless dedication: live your priorities and be committed to excellence  Thoughtful growth: adopt an M&A model, establish pace of openings  First impressions: maximize presale to open profitably or rebrand powerfully Marketing mastery: create comprehensive omnichannel growth strategies Team care: craft selection process, offer benefits, share growth opportunities   Plus, the top studio owners are laser-focused on building a wildly successful business in preparation for an ultimate sale. That drives everything they do. Check it out in Episode 672.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Your fierce commitment as a studio owner can lead to the disastrous trap of micromanaging. This lose-lose approach usually ends up with you burning out and your staff leaving.   Join Coaches Matt Hanton and Caroline Plambeck for practical suggestions on how to escape this common mistake in Episode 671: Stop Micromanaging: How to Empower Your Staff.   Let it go: accept that it’s OK if the job is done at 80% of how you’d do it  Delegate and educate: introduce autonomy gradually and share clear SOPs Paint the big picture: teach your team the “why” behind the work Empower and align: allow freedom within the framework to reach KPIs/outcomes Help, not hover: check in, invite questions and ask for feedback    Y’all, micromanaging is like helicopter parenting. No bueno. Break away so that your fear or need for control doesn't frustrate your team or stifle your business. Learn how in Episode 671.   Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Face it: 80% of boutique fitness studio owners are stuck in the operator role, wearing all the hats, all the time. Not a bad thing, but it will never get you to become a 7-figure CEO.    If you’re ready to grow, get the expert roadmap from Lise Kuecker and Coach Matt Hanton in Episode 670: How to Lead Successfully, Strategically and Like a 7-Figure CEO.   Back off: release some control and delegate so your business can grow Add on: hire a sales manager, set goals, and train and empower them  Dig in: monitor data daily and make decisions based on the numbers Build out: develop smart systems and processes that can run without you Level up: Shift your mindset to strategizing and planning vs. executing   Y’all, the journey to 7-figure boutique fitness studio CEO is absolutely possible if you’re willing to put in the work, embrace new challenges and take a leap of faith. Start with Episode 670.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

A thoughtful onboarding process is worth your investment of time and effort. Although you’re temporarily doing more work while also increasing your payroll, it’s ultimately a long-term gain.    Get the essential ingredients with Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Matt Hanton in Episode 669: The First 90 Days: How to Set Up Every New Hire for Success.   Stoke anticipation: generate good vibes with a personal note or small gift before day 1 Lay the foundation: review job description, KPIs, goals, mission, vision and values Cultivate connection: do meet & greets, assign a buddy and arrange teamwork Facilitate integration: train on SOPs and systems; encourage proactivity  Continue the conversation: check in often, ask for feedback and celebrate successes    Beyond simply teaching policies and procedures, smart onboarding incorporates communication, community and the culture of your studio. Episode 669 is your recipe.    Catch you there,   Lise   PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/