Claim OwnershipThe Business of Boutique Fitness
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I'm Lise Kuecker, a long time Studio Owner turned founder here at Studio Grow. Just a few years ago, I was building my studios the hard way cause I didn't have the team, the budget, or most importantly the time. If you speed up to today, I sold my wildly profitable studios in the mid-7 figures while serving my community in ways I could have only dreamed. Now, I work with thousands of boutique fitness studio owners in over 40 countries and am so blessed to share some of the best tested strategies for our industry every single week. I created this podcast so you'd always have clear, actionable processes, tried and tested Facebook advice and some good ole fashioned inspiration so that you can take simple actionable steps to grow your studio and turn it into a powerhouse empire, just like I did. If you're a studio owner who's ready to impact your community and see major growth in the process, or you're prepping to become one, then you are in the right place. So let's kick this off, shall we?
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Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! Clients who rave about you are marketing gold. When they bring in their friends or family members, they're already pre-sold and more likely to convert. Turn your members into your best sales team with Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick in Episode 690: Everybody's Talking About You: Harnessing the Power of Referrals. Simplify the ask: keep it easy, clear and one-step so referrals are no-brainers Reward everyone: make it a win-win so the referrer and the friend feel great Show it off: promote the referral program in studio, on socials and everywhere Time it right: ask members for referrals during that post-class buzz Always incentivize: track, thank and recognize members—fast and personally Pick a month, plan a campaign, brief your team and measure what happens. This may become your favorite marketing tool, with big potential. Capitalize on the opportunity with Episode 690. 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/
People aren't coming to your studio for your Reformers, your music or your plush towels. They're craving memorable experiences and genuine connection to keep them coming back. If your member experience is off, everything is off. Join Alina Cooper and me for Episode 689: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 3 to ensure you're exceeding expectations. Adopt fresh eyes: inspect your studio, add new touches, make small changes Interact intentionally: make eye contact, use names, recall personal details Practice small acts of kindness: delight members with thoughtful, low-cost gestures Watch your words: regularly reassess and refine messaging to appeal to your ICA Sell strategically: start small, test, tweak, track and scale marketing that works The studios that fail are those that stop trying. Make sure you're bringing fresh energy, heart and clarity to your business so it remains alive and compelling. Explore how in Episode 689. 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 this bonus podcast episode! When it comes to KPIs, studio owners typically fall into extremes. They either track everything and get overwhelmed—or nothing at all and are unaware of the true health of their business. In Episode 688: The KPI Blueprint: What Boutique Fitness Owners Actually Need to Track, Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick identify exactly which metrics are critical to watch. Leverage leads: check how many, where they're from, conversion and time to purchase Check your pulse: study retention and churn rates as the heartbeat of your business Monitor the money: know your monthly recurring revenue, expenses and profit Know their worth: calculate your client's average lifetime value, which drives revenue Make it happen: schedule a weekly KPI hour to identify issues and monitor trends When you keep eyes on the right data as a studio owner, you get valuable insights to make informed decisions. Unlock power and peace of mind in Episode 688. 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 encounters rough waters along their journey. So expect it. Then recognize the difference between sinking and sailing often comes down to what you do next. In Episode 687: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 2, Alina Cooper and I continue navigating the practical steps, tough choices and mindset shifts that can get you to calmer seas. Invite input: regularly ask for—and gratefully receive—honest feedback Don't guess—assess: carefully analyze key metrics and every part of your business Stop the bleeding: stabilize cash flow by immediately pausing non-essential expenses Score quick wins: target lapsed clients, run winback campaigns, encourage referrals Get your team on board: be transparent, invite ideas and share results The vast majority of issues can be addressed to pivot within 90 days. Draft your turnaround plan, adopt a win-win attitude and take action with Episode 687. 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 this bonus podcast episode! What do you do when your studio is booked solid…but still unprofitable? When you're teaching constantly, running the front desk, managing marketing, all the things…but can't pay yourself? Find out how one yoga + Pilates studio owner finally quit working for free. Join Coach Rachel Prairie for this case study in Episode 686: Booked Solid But Still Not Profitable. Stop undercharging: monitor market rates and bump up your prices Limit promotions: decrease discounts and deals to increase profit margins Move to memberships: generate recurring revenue with tiered options Adjust instructor pay: consider a flat rate plus attendance/retention incentives Analyze your numbers: set and track weekly, monthly and quarterly KPIs Implementing these changes resulted in a 22% increase in monthly revenue in just six months! This inspired owner is now taking home more while working less. Hear her story in Episode 686. 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/
Fueled by a dream and deep passion, good-intentioned studio owners can become so consumed with the day-to-day of the business that they miss warning signs of critical problems. But caught early, you can turn these issues around. Learn what to look for and what to do in my discussion with Alina Cooper in Episode 685: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 1. Embrace self-awareness: deliberately enhance your emotional intelligence Take accountability: own issues rather than ignoring them or blaming others Make the time: prioritize problems immediately before they get worse Know your numbers: constantly track trends—revenue, profit, attendance and churn Step back: get out of your studio and dive deep into the data to create an action plan For more practical recommendations, check out The Oz Principle by Craig Hickman and Roger Connors. Find out how to recognize red flags and get your studio back on track in Episode 685. 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/
Whether you recently launched your studio or you've been around a while, a new competitor opening nearby typically triggers full-on panic. But competition can be a good catalyst. Discover how to level up and proactively protect your business with Heather Garrick and Alina Cooper in Episode 684: A New Competitor Just Moved In: Now What? Be very curious: research competitors, document services, prices, USP, etc. Look in the mirror: solicit feedback, mystery shop your studio, analyze data Compel commitment: encourage more clients to buy long-term memberships Maximize momentum: try Bring-a-Friend week, guest trainers and challenges Get noticed: think more ads, flyers, sidewalk chalk and local partnerships As our industry grows, competitors are inevitable. Episode 684 offers the outline to implement ongoing monitoring and double down on what makes your business different. 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/
Studio owners often are so focused on their aesthetics or operations that they bypass a critical success factor: market research. Without it, their business decisions are simply guesses. Join Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick for an overview of how to do your homework in Episode 683: The Silent Studio Killer: What Happens When You Skip Market Research. Local landscape: examine your competitors' pricing, branding, schedules, etc. Audience analysis: study demographic details of your avatars Feedback forums: conduct surveys, focus groups and informal chats Deep data dive: leverage valuable analytics from your booking platform Call to action: regularly evaluate and act on insights to enhance your business Your perception isn't always reality, so use market research to inform your decisions—and save you critical problems, time, money and headaches. Cue Episode 683. 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 dream of owning a boutique fitness studio is the fuel, but the engine that gets you to opening your doors is funding. Knowledge and tenacity are your accelerator. Understand your money options with Alina Cooper, Director of Start Your Studio Profitably, and Coach Matt Hanton in Episode 682: How to Fund Your Studio Without Drowning in Debt. Go solo: bootstrap your business to maintain control and avoid bad debt Pursue tried & true: apply for an SBA (government-backed) loan as a solid source Nudge your network: enlist private investors to partner with you financially Appeal to the masses: try crowdfunding to supplement your own big investment Roll with the punches: expect the unexpected, delays and rejection along the way The bottom line? If you're not a numbers person, you really need to become one to run a thriving business. Start learning early in your journey with Episode 682. 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/
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/
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/
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