The Business of Boutique Fitness

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/  

Y’all know that for some of us in this business, selling feels ultra-uncomfortable. Maybe you’re one of them.   But your studio’s survival depends on sales. So discover how practice can build skills, boost confidence and quash the pushy persona. Coach Caroline Plambeck and Coach Josh Poole unpack the process in Episode 637, Unleash Your Inner Character: Mastering Role-Playing.     Lose the pressure: role-play to increase comfort levels without expecting perfection Dig into discovery: ask prospects about goals and clearly identify their why Suggest solutions: frame your offering as their critical success factor Overcome objections: articulate answers that address time and money excuses Serve compliment sandwiches: offer encouragement and constructive feedback    Role-playing is like exercising – it makes you stronger. The more you do it, the better you get. Lean in and learn in Episode 637.   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/  

So many of us dove into our studio ownership more fueled by abounding passion than business acumen.   Fervor is fabulous but doesn’t automatically equate to profits. Even if you’re not a numbers person, profitability is critical. Coach Elle Kealy walks you through her journey from naive to savvy studio owner over the last 20+ years in Episode 636, Balancing Passion With Profit.    Embrace a CEO mindset: commit to understanding and practicing business skills Get out of your own way: quit doing absolutely everything and delegate instead Invest in education: learn about finances, marketing, operations and risk management Cozy up with the numbers: make a budget, set financial goals, track performance Reap rewards: benefit from less stress, more opportunities and a regular paycheck!   Passion is the heart of your business; profit is the lifeblood. Discover how they can work hand-in-hand so your business thrives in Episode 636.   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/  

Building something worthwhile is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s putting one step in front of another, fueled by perseverance and the end goal in mind.     So continue on our journey of developing a framework for teacher training. Coach Cara Hazelton and Coach Caroline Plambeck share important building blocks in Episode 635, Instruct & Inspire: Teacher Training – What Type of Teacher Training Should I Have?    Assess the approach: select your format: comprehensive or modular  Determine your delivery: opt for online, in-studio or a combination  Pick your platform: research tools like Kajabi and CRM capabilities for online offerings Specify SOPs: establish audit options, CECs, rubrics and timeframes for completion Pinpoint prerequisites: specify participant experience, class requirements and references    Creating a teacher training program is a step-by-step process that leads you to a rewarding finish line. Keep exploring the roadmap in Episode 635.   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/  

Every studio owner is likely looking to boost revenue, differentiate their business and build a strong team. Might teacher training be an all-encompassing solution?     Yes, it’s a huge undertaking. But done well, it checks all those boxes. What’s not to love?    So catch Episode 634, Instruct & Inspire: Teacher Training – Should I Even Have a Teacher Training? with Coach Cara Hazelton and Coach Caroline Plambeck to see if it’s your next best step.   Know your why: identify your goals – income, staff, branding, personal development Explore the territory: research the ins and outs of other local teacher trainings  Count the cost: commit to teacher training as an all-consuming project   Consider the possibilities: mull over modalities, in-person/hybrid, modules and more Expand your audience: invite massage therapists, chiropractors and PTs    You should invest 9-18 months to develop your teacher training. We’ll take you through the process in this series. Dip your toe into the water in Episode 634 and peek at the potential. More to come!   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/  

Amidst multitasking and managing the minutiae, it can be daunting to dare to dream about building your business. We’ve been there, and we can help.   Let’s start with teacher training. While it might seem like a big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG), Coach Cara Hazelton and Coach Caroline Plambeck break it down, starting with Episode 633, Instruct & Inspire: Teacher Training Series Intro. Pique your interest and get the wheels turning to envision what’s possible.   Gear up: expect a huge undertaking that requires loads of attention Make the call: purchase a white-label curriculum or craft your own Cultivate credibility: identify your brand as a leading expert and nurture loyal fans Equip your leaders: boost your instructors’ skills and ensure consistent quality Reap revenue: benefit from an ongoing source of income (vacation, anyone?)   This series covers all the need-to-knows – like should you have a teacher training, what kind of teacher training and nitty-gritties on payment, policy, pauses, certification and affiliation with larger organizations. Kick off this practical deep dive in Episode 633.    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/