The Business of Boutique Fitness

The paradox of a packed but unprofitable space is real for many boutique fitness studio owners. But you can turn things around by identifying and plugging common leaks in your system.    Coach Caroline Plambeck recommends how you can build a financially sustainable business in Episode 681: Beyond the Waitlist: Fixing Profit Leaks in a Fully Booked Studio.   Face the facts: calculate your break-even cost and per-class profit Price right: re-evaluate membership options and avoid excessive discounting Optimize your offerings: streamline your schedule, cut bloat and try class stacking  Prioritize your people: invest in instructor training, feedback and development Tighten your belt: eliminate financial drag with quarterly expense audits    Of course, the buzz of full classes is a reason to happy dance. But without profits, you’re just treading water—and at risk of sinking. Episode 681 is your lifeline.   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/  

Y’all, first impressions are everything in the boutique studio business. When you’re finally ready to launch your studio, don’t underestimate the value of making a big grand opening splash.    The importance of this event—and the endless details—can feel pretty overwhelming. Heather Garrick and Alina Cooper walk you through it all in Episode 680: Ready, Set, Grand Opening!    Dress rehearsal: practice and fine-tune during soft opening 12 weeks out Insiders only: build buzz and community with private events for presale clients FOMO promos: run offers with urgency and scarcity throughout presale and opening Party time: mingle with partners and micro-influencers; provide demos and giveaways Forward momentum: maintain interest with targeted outreach and ongoing offers   Your soft opening and grand opening should be strategic, memorable and well-executed to set up your studio for success. Start planning—and stop panicking—with Episode 680.    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 2 of this series, we continue considering how what’s happening in the boutique fitness industry today impacts tomorrow. (Spoiler: There’s massive opportunity to look forward to!)   Get the lay of the land—and the roadmap—as Coach Rachel Prairie and I unpack trends that are evolving the industry in Episode 679: The Next Decade of Boutique Fitness, Part 2.    Small towns: studios are increasingly targeting Tier 3-Tier 5 markets  Premium plus: luxury 3.0 and concierge fitness are tailoring holistic experiences  Drop-ins that bounce: the aggregator bubble requires a 20-25% conversion rate Homogenization & commoditization: boutique brand differentiation is critical Team trials: instructors need more mentoring, and the labor shortage persists    Plus, on the horizon are unique methods within modalities, integrated sensory experiences and boutique gym pop-ups. Anticipate your studio’s unlimited potential with Episode 679.    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 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/