The Business of Boutique Fitness

Let’s face it, your studio is a direct reflection of you. A thriving business typically means you’re leading well, but a struggling studio may be a warning sign of a need for self-assessment.    Based on years of experience working with studio owners, Coach Catherine Hebb tells it like it is in Episode 647: Mirror of Success: 3 Personal Traits that Can Sabotage Your Business.   Get organized: stop spinning your wheels; start proactively blocking your time Aim for a target: set goals to avoid simply coasting and hoping without direction Identify your KPIs: monitor revenue, expenses, attrition, leads and conversion rates Set the tone: communicate your values, expectations, boundaries and SOPs Confront conflict: confidently and calmly address issues as they arise   We all can improve as leaders. Don’t squelch your success simply because you’re unwilling to look in the mirror. Episode 647 invites you to take a quick peek.    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/  

As studio owners, we may think hiring more staff will automatically lighten our load and get everything running like clockwork. Many of us have discovered it’s not quite that simple.   Hiring great team members is just the start. You also need a thorough onboarding process to help each employee thrive. Consider the essential components with Coach Elle Kealy in Episode 646: How to Build a Successful Team, Part 3: Setting Your Team Up for Success.    Share the blueprint: emphasize your mission, vision, values and culture  Lay the foundation: thoroughly train the basics of the job and your tech tools Provide the building blocks: explain both the how and why of your processes Add the accents: share clear expectations, set goals, answer questions Polish and perfect: assess your leadership style and adjust if necessary   For more on nurturing an employee even before they’ve started at your studio, read Never Lose an Employee Again by Joey Coleman. And implement the practical insights in Episode 646.   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/  

Think about it – meetings typically invoke thoughts of boredom, wasted time and even dread. But they’re critical for communication, information-sharing, collaboration and team-building.    Against these odds, how do you make your meetings productive, valuable, and…dare I say, fun? Coach Caroline Plambeck lays out your critical success factors in Episode 645: The Team Meeting Blueprint.   Give a heads-up: have a regular schedule or provide sufficient notice Craft a plan: distribute an agenda to stay on track and engage your team Address intangibles: discuss core values, culture and improvement opportunities Foster discussion: invite feedback and include everyone so no one dominates Delegate and follow-up: assign responsibilities and deadlines for accountability   Also, be sure to celebrate successes and incorporate shoutouts to show appreciation and boost motivation. Learn how to make the most of your meetings with Episode 645.    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/  

Let’s face it, y’all, the real complexity of our businesses is our people. Simplification starts with smart management to empower them to thrive and, in turn, fuel your studio’s success.    Learn more in Episode 644: A People-First Approach to Business – Part 2, as Coach Cara Hazelton continues her discussion with Amy Lefko, the author of People First. (If you missed Part 1, tune into Episode 639.)    Embrace your role: think, talk and act like a leader to set a solid foundation Do what you love: delegate your least-liked tasks to stave off potential dread Learn your lessons: acknowledge mistakes, identify takeaways and move on Escape wind tunnels: be willing to let go of processes that no longer work Navigate flood zones: assess internal options before automatically hiring new staff   Plus, continually reinforce your value proposition, expectations and culture so your team is aligned. Access the how-to overview in Episode 644.    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/  

Even if Pilates isn’t your jam, its skyrocketing popularity should grab your attention. The global Pilates industry was $178 billion in 2024. By 2031, it’s projected to reach $392 billion.     Get an overview of the opportunities and issues in this thriving sector with Coach Catherine Hebb and Coach Cara Hazelton in Episode 643: The State of the Pilates Industry.   Know the OG: learn how Joseph Pilates conceived this unique movement method Respect the nuances: recognize classical or contemporary training approaches Acknowledge the risks: realize potential concerns in this unregulated industry  Stay in your lane: stick to your scope of practice and refer as necessary  Invest in education: continue your training to expand your expertise   Y’all, with comprehensive education and unwavering integrity, our industry can help Pilates eventually be seen as an allied health profession. Your first step begins with Episode 643.    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 team is ultimately what differentiates your studio and keeps members coming back. But y’all, every owner understands that managing people means confronting issues.     So tap some proven advice on common points of friction from Coach Elle Kealy and Coach Catherine Hebb in Episode 642: How to Build a Successful Team, Part 2: Q&A Issues with Your Team.   Maximize meeting attendance: provide advance notice, pay your team, ensure value Share news of instructor firings: be positive, shut down gossip, focus on what’s next  Sell sales to all staff: create clear job descriptions, set expectations, give commissions Manage selfie videos: have a policy on filming in studio and posting to social media  Optimize communications: use a tool like Slack and create separate channels for staff   You can head off many issues by continually communicating policies and responsibilities, managing SOPs and keeping your team in the know. Get empathy and answers in Episode 642.    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/  

No one likes difficult conversations. Ever. But to be a successful boutique fitness studio owner, you’ve gotta ditch the discomfort and address these inevitable interactions.     Begin with practical tips from industry veterans Coach Cara Hazelton and Coach Matt Hanton. Tune into Episode 641: Difficult Dialogues in Boutique Fitness to tackle these head-on.   Establish expectations: have clear policies, rules, SOPs and member guidelines Set the stage: confront issues immediately and offer ongoing feedback  Prepare yourself: exhibit empathy, patience, listening and emotional regulation Skip sugar-coating: show kindness and professionalism, but be clear and firm Take a stand: commit to zero tolerance for abuse, cursing, yelling or manipulation   Remember, “difficult” conversations don't automatically mean “bad.” They often can be constructive and achieve an intended result. Embrace these encounters in Episode 641.    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/  

After an estimated 1.3 million people left the boutique fitness studio workforce during the pandemic, owners are trying to conquer the ongoing challenges of finding good team members.   So grab some invaluable insights on attracting staff from Coach Catherine Hebb and professional recruitment expert Nina Sarge in Episode 640: How to Build a Successful Team, Part 1: Recruitment.   Role call: keep the job description punchy and brief, and showcase benefits   Review your reviews: aim for positive input on Glassdoor, Trustpilot and social media Greet and meet: screen first with a phone interview, then meet in person Sell yourself: highlight your studio’s culture, perks, benefits and opportunities  Get a second opinion: always contact professional and personal references   Amidst a stubbornly tight employee market, job-seekers can afford to be much choosier. Episode 640 helps you tweak your recruitment process to draw the best-fitting staff members.   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/  

Ever tempted to ditch the “customer is always right” philosophy? What if you shifted your focus to your team instead? Is that a recipe for disaster? Or success?   Scratch the surface of a proven method to grow your people and your business In Episode 639: A People-First Approach to Business with Coach Cara Hazelton and Amy Lafko, an organizational design expert, keynote speaker and the author of People First.     Pick the winning recipe: adopt intentionality in organizational design and leadership Build a thoughtful foundation: establish your studio’s purpose, mindset and intentions  Practice piloting: expect crosswinds and detours, then recalibrate and course-correct  Stay on the sidelines: coach, advise, direct and recommend to equip your team Change the narrative: swap “hire” for “select,” “onboard” for “inspire” and “retain” for “engage”   When you invest in your people first, they’re more dedicated to delivering exceptional client service, which drives your studio’s growth. Pique your interest in the process with Episode 639.    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, people typically buy based on emotion over logic. I know I have! By understanding and tapping into how your prospects feel, you’ll ultimately win more sales.   In Episode 638, The Psychology of Sales, Coach Caroline Plambeck outlines the need-to-knows and practical applications to refine your sales process. You’ll dig into the consumer’s mind and motivation to uncover what really drives purchases.     Be aware of biases: address confirmation bias, anchoring, reciprocity and scarcity Connect to core drivers: ask, listen and then speak to intrinsic or extrinsic motivation Push some buttons: leverage emotional triggers like FOMO, excitement and trust  Practice the Golden Rule: be transparent and empathetic to build rapport and trust Make it manageable: encourage a small or short-term commitment as a first step   Plus, tackle objections, share social proof and craft a compelling call to action to maximize conversion. Tune into Episode 638 to master the mind.   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/