What We Cover In This Episode: Why energy, not just time, is your most valuable resource as a business owner [2:43] How to determine what tasks you should be doing yourself [6:28] When to delegate in-house versus to a virtual assistant [10:21] What to consider about deleting and/or automating tasks [17:05] Tips for leveraging AI and automation [17:…

What We Cover In This Episode: How the three main pillars of retention make up the foundational strategy for boosting client retention [6:04] The way to use tactical behavior tracking to identify at-risk clients [6:26] Why starting a consistency club to recognize and reward members for maintaining regular attendance streaks is such an effective str…

What We Cover In This Episode: Pre-event planning strategies to pay attention to when creating a successful outdoor event [4:56] The necessity of clear communication with attendees regarding location, parking, weather expectations, and what to bring [6:55] An important reminder to confirm location permits or partnership agreements before hosting ou…

What We Cover In This Episode: Details on the FTC negative option rule coming into effect May 14th and why compliance is key when it comes to protecting your boutique fitness business [3:51] The clear and easy to use option to keep your business compliant as well enhancing the client experience [5:38] How FitDegree provides control over in-app canc…

What We Cover In This Episode: The key financial readiness benchmarks you should be considering before transitioning to full-time [4:55] What operational systems are key for a fitness studio transitioning from part-time to full-time [9:01] Why it is so important to test if your fitness studio can function without you [11:53] What analyzing the last…

What We Cover In This Episode: Effective strategies for creating recurring revenue with summer-only Memberships [3:20] The benefits of summer outdoor fitness classes and how you can leverage the outdoors in your business [4:50] Some ways you can use seasonal promotions and loyalty rewards to maintain summer engagement [9:13] The importance of freez…

What We Cover In This Episode: The difference between an LLC and an S-Corp, and how that affects liability, taxation and future growth [4:31] What the purpose of a legal entity is, and how it protects your personal assets from business lawsuits [7:04] How to negotiate commercial leases effectively, plus the strategies you can use to protect your we…

What We Cover In This Episode: How to strategically carve out dedicated "CEO time" each week and why this focused time is so crucial [7:49] Why a time audit is essential for business growth [10:18] How to implement 90-day planning cycles for more agile and effective business growth [14:50] What you can do right now to shift your mindset from an ins…

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at our recent key feature updates, including schedule visibility, gift card discounts, and more [1:17] The flexible gift card redemption feature now available that will enhance user experience [6:32] Some use cases that highlight why these new features will be valuable to you [9:58[ What we’ve done to simplify …

What We Cover In This Episode: Strategies for onboarding new clients and communicating studio policies effectively so that clear expectations are set from Day One [4:24] Why enforcing policies fairly across the board is essential to prevent accusations of favoritism and to maintain member respect [9:56] How enforcing policies contributes to a bette…

What We Cover In This Episode: Why quality over quantity matters when it comes to social media followers [7:29] The dangers of adding more options you to your studio, both for your business and your clients [12:17] The key reasons that a multi-modality studio should have a multi room studio [16:15] How setting boundaries and creating systems, rathe…

What We Cover In This Episode: What you can do to maximize profit through regular, not once-a-year, audits of your numbers [3:33] How to stop membership leaks and strategies for handling expired cards and follow-ups [4:49] Ways to reduce overall studio expenses by focusing on your software and payment fees [11:20] Why your pricing matters and what …

What We Cover In This Episode: The true cost of a bad hire and why hiring the wrong person is even worse than being short-staffed [2:18] How delegating tasks can free you to work on your business, not just in it [3:52] Which key roles are essential for your studio's success and how to structure your staffing for maximum impact [6:41] What the real …

What We Cover In This Episode: Why a strategic approach, not just "vibes," is essential for client experience and retention [0:27] What recent data is showing about customer retention and the importance of first impressions [2:50] The reasons that the first five seconds a client interacts with your studio is so critical, and what can do to ensure i…

What We Cover In This Episode: Why Spring is the perfect time to review and refresh your business operations [0:23] How updating your contracts and waivers will ensure you're legally protected and aligned with industry best practices [8:39] The way that clear policies on late cancellations, no-shows, and general studio etiquette will create a smoot…

What We Cover In This Episode: The importance of establishing systems, setting boundaries, and building support structures to prevent burnout, both personally and professionally [0:54] How to recognize the early warning signs of burnout and what you can do to address them before they escalate [4:26] The critical role of rest and recovery in prevent…

What We Cover In This Episode: Proactive strategies like waivers and automated reminders to set expectations and prevent misunderstandings [3:27] How to master the art of de-escalation by using neutral language and effective communication techniques during tense client interactions [8:12] How offering solutions and demonstrating goodwill can lead t…

What We Cover In This Episode: What to understand about payment processing and the key differences between ACH and credit card transactions [4:58] How you can use proactive communication to avoid payment disputes that may arise with members [9:26] Options you have within your studio to avoid overwhelming clients and to simplify membership managemen…

What We Cover In This Episode: Why a thorough analysis of your existing income streams is the foundational step towards maximizing your studio's profitability [4:21] How surveying your clients to understand their needs and preferences can reveal untapped opportunities for new services and offerings [5:23] Effective strategies to leverage your curre…

What We Cover In This Episode: The key benefits of keeping your referral marketing simple and easy to understand [3:31] Options you have as incentives to offer those who are bringing you business through referrals [5:07] How you can leveraging the community around you to generate more referrals [8:02] What to consider when designing and promoting a…

What We Cover In This Episode: How identifying tasks that can be automated or delegated to free up your time is the very first step in achieving work-life balance as a studio owner [4:25] The importance of setting boundaries and clearly communicating them to staff and clients [6:57] What you can do as a studio owner right now to prioritize your sel…

What We Cover In This Episode: How finding the right team really starts by defining your studio needs [4:07] Why focusing on fostering growth for your individual team members will be key when building and maintaining a strong team [11:28] Strategies for navigating termination in a professional way [12:12] The benefits that building a positive work …

What We Cover In This Episode: How to pinpoint your studio's biggest achievements and challenges through a year-end review [4:06] The key metrics and trends to analyze in order to gain valuable insights for your studio's future [5:07] The power of a mission-driven approach in building a strong brand and fostering a loyal community [6:22] What you d…

What We Cover In This Episode: Tips for uncovering and understanding your potential clients “why” [4:59] How identify past challenges that your potential clients have had can be a big help in identifying their expectations [5:53] The way that highlighting your studio’s unique benefits can boost your sales success [7:13] Why active listening is cruc…

What We Cover In This Episode: Recommendations for keeping your service menu simple and finite [4:05] Flexible service menu options you can use when creating your pricing structure [5:18] Why setting low prices to attract volume isn’t an effective long-term pricing strategy for your business [12:11] The benefits of including tiered membership optio…

What We Cover In This Episode: How to streamline your member interactions with efficient automation techniques [3:08] Why personalized communication for significant milestones can significantly impact client retention and satisfaction [3:50] Effective strategies to implement automated subscription payment reminders [4:41] What to understand about t…

What We Cover In This Episode: Why showcasing member success stories can significantly boost engagement within your boutique fitness studio community [3:06] Effective strategies for choosing members to feature in your spotlights [3:39] Various achievements that can be celebrated in your member spotlights [4:56] How to utilize different formats to s…

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at how Merchynt automated Google My Business [2:28] Some of the most effective marketing tools that are available to you right now [4:25] What to be aware of with sponsored Google listings [8:05] The specific components that make up a Google Business Profile [8:45] What “automating your Google Business Profile”…

What We Cover In This Episode: How to choose a challenge theme that aligns with your members' goals and sparks interest [2:53] The power of fostering community and accountability to motivate participants and increase success rates [3:56] Some of the ways in which offering meaningful rewards can boost engagement and amplify the impact of your challe…

What We Cover In This Episode: Common hurdles faced by gym owners when first examining a lease agreement [2:51] A breakdown of the most crucial sections within a lease contract[6:06] Understanding ADA compliance and its specific implications for boutique fitness businesses [9:50] The potential financial consequences of not involving legal professio…

What We Cover In This Episode: What to understand about the “Winning Zone” and focusing on where you are better than your larger competitors [3:02] How you can leverage your unique value proposition to compete with larger brands [4:09] A reminder how your community is your superpower [6:14] Tips for using technology for convenience - and to your ad…

What We Cover In This Episode: Effective keyword strategies for identifying what potential clients are searching for in their first fitness class[2:01] How SEO’s “sweat equity” can help you drive traffic without paying for costly leads [4:15] The best free resources for tracking trending search terms and optimizing your content [7:01] The first ste…

What We Cover In This Episode: How clearly defining roles and responsibilities for every position is crucial for a studio’s success [7:50] Why hiring for a cultural fit is key [9:29] Consistent, transparent communication will set you on the path to mastering employee management every time [11:04] The damaging impact that micromanagement has on your…

What We Cover In This Episode: How exceptional services involves creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through your doors [1:30] The critical role that consistency plays in having a positive experience [2:20] What active listening will allow you to give your members [3:10] Some of the ways in which delivering an exceptional experi…

What We Cover In This Episode: “Nick’s Nuggets” and the big reasons why it’s so important to be taking breaks [0:59] Actionable tactics you can use to ensure taking your next break is a smooth operation for your clients as well as for you [6:57] The benefits of taking a “one step backwards, two step forwards” type of approach with taking breaks [9:…

What We Cover In This Episode: How we’re feeling right now and why it’s been a bit of a “love/hate relationship” with the podcast [0:56] The ways in which fitSpot Guru is going to get a little TLC while we go on a bit of a hiatus [1:38] The potential for a second podcast, what you can expect and how it’ll be different [2:39] What won’t be changing …

What We Cover In This Episode: An update on the total value of the wellness market right now and the shift that’s happening towards holistic health [1:02] The importance of having a crisis plan in place and the types of the scenarios you should be prepared for [4:08] How to properly prepare for a crisis, based on the “scale of fires” [10:30] A few …

What We Cover In This Episode: The ways that people are searching for a financial wellness on an individual level [0:51] What to consider about cash flow management and it’s role in a business’s success [3:57] Where to start with budgeting operational costs and streamlining your financial model [8:18] How to approach funding an expansion [14:57] Ou…

What We Cover In This Episode: How to approach defining your unique selling proposition [4:46] What to understand about connecting with your target audience [9:00] Steps to take to build a strong visual and verbal brand identity [13:09] How to leverage social media and digital marketing to its full potential [18:47] What you can do to start creatin…

What We Cover In This Episode: What to consider if you’re thinking of expanding beyond your current physical space [7:25] A look at integrating retail products, and whether it is a smart move for you and your boutique fitness studio [12:20] How you can use tech-driven service expansion to facilitate new services for your customers [17:29] Some ways…

What We Cover In This Episode: Examples of ways you can optimize the very first visit by your clients [1:08] What Seran says is the “low-hanging fruit” of building relationships [9:03] Why is the first visit so crucial for retention [12:38] Some of the things that can be done to make the first visit so memorable for the client [17:21] How you can s…

What We Cover In This Episode: News with Nick and the latest of group fitness builds and mental, emotional and physical well-being [0:36] The importance that having an effective onboarding process will have on your customer’s experience [5:04] Integration partners that can help you communicate with your clients - click their links below to learn mo…

What We Cover In This Episode: Seran’s journey from Wall Street to the Pilates studio - and beyond [1:15] How she curated her approach to coaching fitness studios [7:01] Why Seran believes so strongly that success does not have to equal stress [8:36] Some of the main reasons that effective marketing messaging crucial for fitness studios to master […

What We Cover In This Episode: Why you’ll want to understand, analyze and anticipate the summer drops that occur in our industry [5:28] The need to ensure great communication with everyone about your summer schedules [7:12] How you can use this time to explore flexible membership options [8:51] Ideas for unique summer programs or challenges [11:27]…

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at the current activity in gyms now versus the pre-pandemic levels [0:52] What the primary goal of having a cancellation policies in your studio should be [4:39] The key components you should be considering when creating and implementing your cancellation policies [5:12] How to approach balancing flexibility wi…

What We Cover In This Episode: What leadership quality Katie says is the single most crucial one for running a fitness studio [4:08] One of the biggest HR pitfalls that she has seen running a fitness studio with a W2 workforce [5:36] A trend that is brewing in the fitness industry to be aware of as a studio owner [9:09] Katie’s insights for beginni…

What We Cover In This Episode: News with Nick and a look at how Capitol Hill is “getting fit” [0:54] Why you need to find and lean into your ideal clients in order to have a successful business and a strong community [5:36] The reasons that SEO is crucial for attracting organic traffic [7:12] What happens when you build a content strategy that offe…

What We Cover In This Episode: What the transition from studio owner to HR looked like for Katie [6:25] How to convey, from a marketing perspective, the move from1099 independent contractor to W-2 employee [7:42] The top common misconceptions of HR in the fitness industry [11:22] What the statistics say for studios that do not have a W-2 structure …

What We Cover In This Episode: What early access tags are and the ways you can now start implementing them [7:44] How this feature was designed to make memberships more valuable in your studio [8:40] Common use cases for these access tags in fitDEGREE [11:20] How to locate and create early access tags in your admin [13:42] Why the early access tag …

What We Cover In This Episode: What to realize about breaking through the “wall of trust” with clients [6:06] A rundown of the three most important documents to include in your website [11:04] How a website disclaimer specifically protects fitness studio owners [11:59] One of the first things that you should do when opening a fitness studio [14:42]…