Ready. Aim. Empire.

Y’all, In the latest episode of the Business of Boutique Fitness, host Heather explores the importance of understanding your competition in the fitness industry. Competition brings more awareness to fitness and wellness, benefiting everyone. Heather emphasizes the need to identify your unique offerings to stand out. Thoroughly researching your competitors and conducting a SWOT analysis will help you understand how you differ and inform your marketing decisions. When interacting with prospective clients, use your knowledge to provide tailored information and find the right fit, even if it means recommending a competitor. Take the high road when discussing competition, showcasing your strengths and unique value. By leveraging your strengths and standing out, you'll attract the right clients and thrive in the competitive fitness industry. Visit the Studio Grow website for the full episode and more resources. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with colleagues to make a positive impact in the world of boutique

You know that feeling when you walk into a place and it just feels right?  That's no accident.  It's the magic of a business built with heart and soul. And that's exactly what we're chatting about in EPISODE 585. Nicole's been where many of us are – at that crossroads where you choose safe over soulful. But she chose differently. Here's a taste of our heart-to-heart: Trust Your Gut: Nicole's journey is proof that your instincts can be your business's best friend. Create a Haven: How your studio can be more than just a place to sweat – it can be a second home. Forge Genuine Bonds: The art of turning clients into a community that cheers for each other. Authenticity as Your North Star: How staying true to yourself is your brand’s strongest move. The Power of Yes…and No: Making space for what serves you (and your clients) can define your success. Embrace Growth: Nicole shares how embracing change led to her studio being a place where everyone wants to be. Pop in your earbuds and hit play on EPISODE 585, and let

When a new member walks into your studio… You're not just showing them where the locker rooms are or what the WiFi password is.  You're laying down the red carpet to a long-term relationship. That might just turn them into…your next raving fan. In EPISODE 584, I sat down with Lindsey & Katie, the gurus of the “New Member Journey”, who have turned this process into an art form.  Here's Your Quick Look: Vision Crafting: Why clarity in goals equals commitment. The “Because” Strategy: A simple word with conversion-boosting power. It Takes a Village: How tailored workshops and coaching sessions create a loyal tribe. Wisdom in Pages: Top book picks for mastering conversions and client engagement. So grab your headphones and tune into EPISODE 584 and we’ll dive into this New Member Journey together. Catch ya there! 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! With grit and g

Episode 583: Retention: The Reality and How to Change It

Episode 582 - Lise Interview Felicia Alexander

Is your studio a high-stakes drama?  Is it a stage where every session is a show, each trainer is a star, and you?  You’re the brilliant director behind it all. If it’s not… In EPISODE 581, we’re peeling back the curtain to reveal the nitty-gritty of running a studio that's not just a gym…but a hot-ticket theater. Here’s the lineup: Talent Retention is No Joke: This isn't some community theater production; we're talking Broadway-level stakes here. Be the Director, Not Just the Boss: Your job is to bring out the Tony-worthy performances in everyone, from front desk to trainers. It's Showtime, Always: A studio isn't just four walls and some equipment; it's a live performance that happens the moment someone walks in. Are We Built to Last?: The big question we all need to answer before the final curtain call. Industry Lessons, Stage-Ready: Even Broadway directors watch other shows. What can we learn from the gym and health club scene? On the edge of your seat?  Great, let’s do it.Catch ya in EPISODE 581 and let

Here’s what we’re talking about in this episode: Introduction to the Front Desk Team and Their Impact on Brand Perception: This section discusses the importance of the front desk team in shaping the studio's brand image and creating a positive experience for clients. Overcoming Objections and Maximizing the Front Desk Role: This section addresses common objections to having a dedicated front desk team and highlights the potential value they can bring to the studio. Defining the Front Desk Team as Brand Ambassadors: This section emphasizes the role of the front desk team as brand ambassadors who understand clients' needs, make recommendations, and create personalized experiences. Leveraging the Front Desk Team for Revenue Generation: This section explores how the front desk team can contribute to revenue generation through upselling, cross-selling, and building strong relationships with clients. Hiring the Right Front Desk Team Members and Setting Them Up for Success: This section provides guidance o

Y’all, Is your sales team not quite in sync?  Like you've got the instruments, but the music just isn't flowing? That's what Episode 579 is all about—making sure your sales team is more than just a group of people reading from different song sheets. Here's the breakdown: The Process Puzzle: Trust me, this isn't boring—it's the secret sauce for a killer sales team. Soft Skills Aren't Soft: They're the hidden muscle of your sales game. Emotions in Motion: How understanding feelings can actually up your sales. The Perfect Blend: Mixing hard skills with heart for sales that truly resonate. Finding the right mix of discipline and flair is like arranging a song.  You need the structure, but you also need those surprising notes that make it uniquely yours. If this sounds like the tune-up your sales team needs, don't miss Episode 579.  With grit and gratitude, Lisé LINKS: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-po

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/