Ready. Aim. Empire.

578: 180 Degrees of Boutique HR - The New Org Chart   Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   The importance of building a successful team: Lise discusses the importance of having a long-term, productive, and satisfied team and the challenges of achieving this in the current industry. Typical employees in boutique fitness: Lise breaks down the typical employees in boutique fitness, including front desk workers, practitioners, and managers, and discusses the challenges associated with retaining them. Different stages of studio development: Lise outlines three stages of studio development, from Studio 1.0 with an owner-operator to Studio 3.0 with multiple locations and an owner-investor, and the roles needed at each stage. The importance of a marketing director: Lise emphasizes the critical role of a marketing director in sustaining steady growth of leads. The role of a regional director: Lise explains the importance of a regional director in ensuring that sales managers in individual studi

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/

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.  Intri

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

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 Bla

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

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-

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/  

567: The Future of Teacher Training - Meet Nora Reynolds, Co-Founder of Arrichion and Learn How Higher Education Is Transforming Teacher Trainings   Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Discussion on the importance of deliberate practice in online learning and the mistakes made in online learning. The deliberate structure and success of Auron's online teacher training program. Problems with too much content in online programs and the necessity of building connections between modules. The importance of developing quality teacher training programs and the current state of the industry. The role of live instruction and feedback in Auron's teacher training programs. Links: https://arrichion.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/norareynolds https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Amanda discusses Team Development and the importance of building a team environment that embraces feedback and encourages growth mindset for success. She lists 8 impactful points that she uses in her own studio every day. Amanda shares her personal approach for holding development conversations by breaking the ice, getting employee feedback first, performing an expectation check, giving feedback, creating a plan, and following up. Amanda emphasizes the importance of using open-ended questions to encourage employees to open up and share their struggles or areas of improvement. Amanda discusses the importance of empowering employees to assess their own processes and take ownership of their role for improved performance. Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Yall, what does it take to become a household name in the fitness industry? We asked the President of Basecamp Fitness just that. I recently had an amazing heart-to-heart with Ben Camper, the innovative President of Base Camp Fitness.  Spoiler alert: Their journey is awe-inspiring. Base Camp has made a name for itself in the boutique fitness world with its unique 35-minute high-intensity interval training workout. Not only has this unique approach set them apart, but it's also driven some incredible growth.  In EPISODE 565, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of their brand transformation. Here's a sneak peek of what we discuss: Base Camp’s Growth Strategy: Base Camp's approach to balancing single and multi-unit operators with their goal of hitting 200 units by 2026. Base Camp’s Business Model: We discuss how they've created an efficient workout experience that extends to their marketing, studio design, and vendor management. The Role of Self-Esteem in Brands: The role of resources and expertise from Self-Est

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode: Allison recounts her experiences in establishing a small franchise of Pilates studios and the challenges she faced due to a lack of available teachers, suggesting that training dedicated teachers within your studio can provide a solid solution. Different types of teacher training programs, from foundation courses to comprehensive training programs, suggesting the need for clarity on what each studio plans to offer, and how licensing or hosting programs from another school or company could be viable options. The logistics of implementing a teacher training program, including factors like potential class cancellations, marketing budget, supplies, and ensuring profitability, suggesting that studios should aim for about 30% profitability or more in their programs. Allison explains how to price teacher training programs based on cost, capacity, and potential profitability, recommending that studios consider payment plans, cancellation policies, early bird pr

When Aymeric and Gianni decided to create a one-of-a-kind boutique studio experience in Hong Kong, they chose to model their brand around the concept of ikigai – the Japanese secret to a meaningful life. Today, Ikigai Wellness is more than just your run-of-the-mill chain of yoga and meditation studios. From day one, Aymeric and Gianni have worked to create and deliver a holistic experience to help clients discover their reason for being and define their own path to happiness and success.  And their world-class yoga and meditation offerings are just the starting point of all they’ve set out to achieve. Join Lise in this week’s episode of The Business Of Boutique Fitness as she speaks to Aymeric Vollant and Gianni Melwani about the vision and mission behind Ikigai Wellness. Aymeric and Gianni discuss how they positioned their lifestyle brand around wellness, the various types of holistic experiences they offer and why quality care and hospitality have always been their top priority. Here’s what we’ll cover in E

562: The 7 Figure Teacher Training Framework    Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode: Developing a seven and eight figure teacher training program as a separate business entity with its own IP and brand Core and foundational training for the masses and technical aspects of building a training with milestones and CEUs Business model for teacher training programs with annual fees, CEUs, and a product stack for recurring revenue Next level of training with a focus on more advanced movements and specializations that reflect the brand Level three training as a professional training with a niche focus and potential for skipping over based on personal goals Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode:   Lise explains the importance of an onboarding journey for both clients and team members and discusses the key elements of a successful onboarding process. Lise introduces the concept of a bridge training program to quickly onboard experienced fitness instructors into a studio's methodology. Lise also discusses the importance of a comprehensive teacher training program and shares best practices for developing such a program. Lise introduces the concept of advanced teacher training and explains its importance in developing highly skilled and committed teachers. Links: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/  

Y’all, a teacher training program can be a game-changer for your studio. It can increase your cash flow, enhance your reputation, and you a wonderful group of trained instructors who can join your studio family. But let’s be real – running a teacher training program is hard work. It means extra hours, long weekends and a significant investment in energy and resources. So if you put in all that extra effort and offer a teacher training program this year, you have to make sure it’s a doggone sell-out.  And that’s exactly what Studio Coach Allison Zang will help you do in this week’s episode of The Business Of Boutique Fitness. With 15 years of experience running a successful Pilates studio in Central Pennsylvania, Allison knows just what it takes to make a teacher training program a success. And this week, she will share her time-tested strategies for building a teacher training waitlist that’ll help your program sell like hotcakes!  Here’s what we’ll talk about in Episode 560: Why you should collect leads fo

Here’s the thing – commitment isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal.  To you, commitment might mean working 12-hour days and overseeing every micro aspect of your business yourself. To someone else, it might mean building and training a team that runs the day-to-day so they can focus on the bigger picture – like sales, strategy and expansion.  Whatever it is, the bottom line is simple: staying committed to a business for years isn’t easy. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to keep the passion and enthusiasm alive, especially after the initial excitement has passed.  And that’s exactly what we’re talking about in this week’s episode of The Business Of Boutique Fitness! Join Studio Grow Coach Amanda Blair as she sits down with client Brady Johnson to discuss how Brady has managed to remain healthily invested in her studio for over 9 years. Learn Brady's secrets to building systems that allow her to free up her precious time and energy – all while still staying 100% committed to her vision and mission.  Here’s wha