The Business of Boutique Fitness

577: Studio Surge - Unveiling Growth Strategies and Transformative Insights around a Multi-Studio Expansion   Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Beth Potter introduces the upcoming series on boutique HR and shares a personal story about her husband's growth in the industry. Brent shares his experience of growing from 5 to 13 studios and the challenges involved with integrating new teams and processes. Brent explains the leadership strategies he implemented, such as accountability ladders and lead trainers, to develop his team. Brent emphasizes the importance of replicating processes and the member journey to maintain consistency across all locations. Brent discusses how his team overcame the influx of membership cancellations during the pandemic by focusing on building relationships and culture. Beth asks Brent how he manages his dedication to his team and provides advice on communication protocols and work-life balance. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-potter-5a990461/ https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-potter-6a6b98193/ https://studiogrow.co/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Kim explains how her training in classical ballet informs her approach to classical Pilates and why she prefers this method. Kim discusses her desire to become a business owner, her lack of prior business experience, and the challenges she faced in opening and growing her Pilates studio. Kim emphasizes the importance of staying true to the tradition of classical Pilates and passing on an authentic product to clients and future generations. Links: https://au.linkedin.com/in/kim-paxton-95592a17 https://www.thepilatesstudioblackwood.com.au/ https://studiogrow.co/

Ever had one of those days where juggling even a handful of fitness classes feels like a whirlwind?  Oh, trust me, I've been there, and I've got the coffee stains on my shirt to prove it! But imagine, just for a second, being the driving force behind 340 fitness studios. (Mind-blowing, right?) In EPISODE 575, we’re entering the world of Andrea Bell, the wonder woman who brought Anytime Fitness to Asia.  And no, that's not a typo - we're talking about 340 locations! Here’s what we’re chatting about: Anytime Fitness Takes on Asia: Andrea's journey of turning a dream into 340 bustling Anytime Fitness clubs. It's a story you won't want to miss. The Real Deal on Team Building: The highs, lows, and absolute "did that just happen?" moments. Boutique Fitness Vibes: Discover the unique rhythm of fitness in Asia. (It's not what you'd expect.) The Ownership Tango: Owning 30% of those fitness hubs? Yep, it’s a tale with twists. US vs. Asia - Fitness Showdown: Different continents, contrasting cultures.  Intrigued? I thought you might be.  Dive deep with me into EPISODE 575 and let's uncover these stories together with a dash of excitement and a sprinkle of curiosity.   With Grit and Gratitude, 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! Links: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/andrea-bell-97275bb4  https://www.inspirebrandsasia.com/about-us/  https://studiogrow.co/   

574: From Investor to Acquisition: Meet Desiree Guillard-Young and Walk Alongside Her Path to a 3 Studio Acquisition and New Role As Director of People for FitLab   Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Lisa Kueckerintroduces her guest, Desiree Gulliard-Young, as a powerhouse and a leader in the fitness industry. Desiree discusses her athletic background and how it prepared her for her professional career, as well as her experience in corporate America, specifically in talent acquisition and leadership development. Lisa and Desiree discuss how Desiree became an investor in Sanctuary Fitness and how her background in talent acquisition and leadership development prepared her for her role as Director of People Operations. Desiree discusses some of the lessons she's learned in leadership, including the importance of meeting employees where they are and adjusting leadership strategies accordingly. Desiree discusses the challenges and opportunities she faced when transitioning from corporate America to a startup environment, including the importance of assessing current state and learning the business before making any major changes. Links: http://www.linkedin.com/in/desireeguilliardyoung https://www.instagram.com/desi_spice49/ https://studiogrow.co/

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Early mention of Black Friday: Lise discusses the importance of planning for Black Friday in the third quarter, and shares statistics about the shopping holiday. The importance of messaging: Lise emphasizes the importance of crafting the right message for Black Friday, and shares insights from marketer Donald Miller on how to tell a brand's story. Profit maximization: Lise discusses the importance of focusing on the most profitable products and services in a Black Friday strategy to maximize revenue. Product stacking: Lise recommends using a "stacking sale" approach to Black Friday, with four different offers over multiple days to target different buyer types. Black Friday success stories: Lise shares success stories from previous Black Fridays, including large sales and increased average client monthly value. Call to action: Lise encourages listeners to download the studio's Black Friday Ultimate Guide and take action to create an exceptional Black Friday strategy. Links: https://studiogrow.co/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Overview of Amanda Freeman's fitness brand, SLT - Amanda Freeman, founder of boutique fitness brand SLT, discusses the high-intensity Pilates workout that has swept New York City and New England. Growth trajectory and acquisition strategy of SLT - Freeman talks about the early days of SLT as a passion project, its growth trajectory, and the decision to partner with private equity to fund expansion and acquisitions. Challenges of acquisitions in the fitness industry - Freeman explains the difficulties of acquiring other fitness studios and the need to carefully consider factors such as employee contracts and landlord negotiations. Franchising versus corporate ownership in the fitness industry - Freeman discusses her initial hesitancy towards franchising and the challenges of balancing corporate overhead with the need for expansion. Impact of COVID-19 on the fitness industry - Freeman touches on the challenges faced by the fitness industry during the pandemic and how it affected SLT's growth. Compensation and performance in the fitness industry - Freeman discusses the issue of compensating employees based on performance and the challenges faced with managing remote locations.   Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://stretchdspace.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-freeman-95b61614/  

571: Part 2 - Promotion Stacking with Coaches Emily and Allison   Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Coach Emily and Coach Allison welcome you to the second part of a marketing series and discusses effective promotion stacking strategies. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding your audience and appealing to different types of buyers with different promotions. Strategizing promotion stacking: The transcript offers advice on how to strategically plan and implement promotion stacking, including considering the calendar, the length of promotions, and the client journey. Avoiding overuse of promotions: The discussion warns against overusing promotions and discusses how to avoid making clients feel like everything is always on sale. Length of memberships: Allison and Emily suggest considering the length of memberships or contracts when planning promotions, and how this can impact client retention.   Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode: Coach Emily and Coach Allison discuss the importance of planning your marketing calendar and warm up your audience with promotions, packages, and different marketing channels. The Importance of Understanding User Feedback: The user research call discusses various user research topics and methods, and how to evaluate user feedback effectively. This document describes the role of a research scientist, including their responsibilities and the qualifications necessary for the position. A brief overview of ancient Greek civilization, including their emergence as a distinct civilization, the development of city-states, and the Golden Age of Greece. A project plan for launching a new board game, including determining the target audience, designing and testing the game, branding and packaging, and developing marketing and distribution strategies. Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Discussion on the importance of having the right staff in place and Catherine's process for finding reliable employees. Tips for streamlining systems and processes for multiple locations, including creating standard operating procedures. Importance of setting boundaries and creating work-life balance as a studio owner, including tips for managing staff and taking time off. Personal growth and detachment from the business as a key to success, including the benefits of not being emotionally attached to the business and making better decisions. Links: https://runwaypilates.com/ https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherine-hebb-19737a10 https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Understanding the need for software and automations in a business, particularly for lead management and communication with clients. The different types of software necessary for a brand new business, including CRM, email, and texting capabilities. The importance of utilizing automations to nurture and communicate with leads, prospects, and clients, without sacrificing authenticity. The benefits of automations for personal trainers and studios, particularly in terms of time management and efficiency. The top three essential things to automate for a business, including lead nurturing, purchase follow-ups, and appointment reminders. Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/