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Isn’t It Ironic? The Real Numbers Behind Yoga Studio Profitability. A Conversation With Gina Ward.
Manage episode 504659038 series 3395926
This week I am chatting with yoga trainer, studio owner, and data maven, Gina Ward.
Gina ran some data for yoga studio owners, so she could better inform her yoga teacher trainees what the realities of studio ownership are like.
Wanna know what the data said? Yeah, I did too.
Take a listen find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1. Studio profitability isn’t guaranteed
Profitability means revenue exceeds expenses—but 20% of yoga studios never reach that point. Only 25% are profitable in year one, while 55% take 1–5 years. Most studio owners earn less than people assume.
2. What studio owners really earn
52% of yoga studio owners make $12–60K per year, often working 40+ hours a week. Only 12% earn more, while 18% make less than $12K. These numbers show two truths: (1) owners aren’t the “big winners” of the yoga industry, and (2) we can’t fix money problems we refuse to discuss.
3. Headcount ≠ success
For membership-based studios, headcount is often a vanity metric. It looks good on paper but doesn’t always reflect real revenue or financial health.
4. Pay for prep time
Gina compensates teachers for reading emails and prep work—a small but powerful shift that values teachers’ time. This should be an industry standard.
5. Rethinking hiring culture
Studios often expect teachers to “fit in” socially before being hired. This mindset undervalues professionalism and holds the industry back. Fair, transparent hiring practices are essential for credibility.
6. Professionalism vs. friendship
In wellness, blurred boundaries between “boss” and “friend” are common. But leaders set the tone: if owners expect professionalism from teachers, they must model it themselves
RESOURCES
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