The Business of Boutique Fitness

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 grate...

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 Profit...

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: deliberatel...

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...

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...

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 cont...

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-eve...

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: prac...

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 increas...

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 & educati...

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 w...

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 NO...

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...

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...

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, t...

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 yo...

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 do...

Face it: 80% of boutique fitness studio owners are stuck in the operator role, wearing all the hats, all the time. Not a bad thing, but it will never get you to become a 7-figure CEO.    If you're ready to grow, get the expert roadmap from Lise Kuecker and Coach Matt Hanton in Episode 670: How to Lead Successfully, Strategically and Like a 7-Figure CEO.   Back off: release some control and delegat...

A thoughtful onboarding process is worth your investment of time and effort. Although you're temporarily doing more work while also increasing your payroll, it's ultimately a long-term gain.    Get the essential ingredients with Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Matt Hanton in Episode 669: The First 90 Days: How to Set Up Every New Hire for Success.   Stoke anticipation: generate good vibes with a per...

Your people can make or break your studio. Building a standout team is critical to protect your business. And that doesn't just happen automatically, y'all.    Make sure you're firing on all cylinders in Episode 668: The Secrets to a High-Performing Team with Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Matt Hanton.    Prioritize prep: draft an org chart and job descriptions with specific KPIs  Recruit selective...

Y'all,   the noise about tariffs in recent months has stirred questions and anxiety among the fitness industry (and many industries, frankly) about the effects on their business.    Crediting Liz Clark's and Mike Goscinski's talk at the Health & Fitness Association's Fly-In & Advocacy Summit, let's dive into Episode 667: How Tariffs & Trade Can Impact Your Studio.     Universal uncertainty: legisl...

Y'all, Two industry powerhouses I'm absolutely fascinated by – Garrett Marshall and Debra Strougo! Garrett's been shaping our space for 22 years and just launched something that could change everything, while Debra brings her incredible insight from years of working with operators. Together they're solving the biggest challenge in fitness: how do we maintain our position of influence when 90% of o...

Y'all, Two industry leaders I'm absolutely fascinated by – Jennifer Maanavi, founder of Physique 57 (one of the best barre brands in the world), and Jack Thomas, creator of The Fit Guide (the gold standard for fitness excellence, like the Michelin Star guide for our industry). They're both revolutionizing how we think about hospitality in boutique fitness! Tune in to our new series of conversation...

Y'all, combining our high-touch approach with personalized client data is gold. Cue this fascinating conversation with software engineer, trainer and data nerd Jason Moore.    Episode 666: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Jason Moore of Spren left me with a feast of food for thought regarding what's possible in our industry.     Measurement & motivation: tracking progress through meaningful p...

Y'all, when you've been in this industry as long as I have, you can feel the big shifts coming. But even I wasn't prepared for the Pilates explosion we're witnessing right now. It's unlike anything we've seen before, and if you're not paying attention, you're missing the boat on the biggest opportunity in boutique fitness. Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: E...