Welcome to another episode of Female EmPOWERED, the podcast for female fitness and wellness professionals and business owners looking for real talk about the ins and outs of the industry. I'm your host, Christa Gurka, founder and CEO of a multimillion-dollar health and wellness business. Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of creating a profitable schedule for your studio, especially if you offer group sessions and classes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of tracking your studio schedule and profitability.
• Key metrics to analyze, including labor cost percentage and sales per labor hour.
• Examples from other industries, such as the food and beverage industry and education sector, and what we can learn from them.
• Practical tips on how to adjust your schedule based on your studio's specific data.
• The impact of seasonal variations and how to prepare for them.
• The role of technology in optimizing your schedule.

Stay tuned to learn actionable steps that will help you become a more successful and confident business owner, all on your own terms.

Are you ready to optimize your studio schedule and increase your profitability? Start by tracking your current schedule and analyzing your data. Consider implementing some of the strategies discussed in this episode. And don't forget to subscribe to Female Empowered for more expert insights and actionable advice.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Female EmPOWERED. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with other fitness and wellness professionals.

Have your own experiences or tips to share? Connect with Christa on Instagram (@ChristaGurka) and join the conversation.

Welcome to another episode of Female emPOWERED - I’m your host, Christa Gurka. In this podcast, I'll be sharing expert insights and having real conversations about what it means to show up, thrive, and get paid in a client-based business.

Today, we're diving into the world of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and why they are crucial for your Pilates, yoga, or boutique fitness studio. Whether you’re new to tracking metrics or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you thrive.

Some of the key items I discussed in this episode are:

• The Importance of KPIs - Learn what KPIs are and why they are essential for tracking the success of your boutique fitness business.
• Key Metrics to Track - New Customers, New Client Conversion Rate, Retention Rate
• Simple formulas and methods to calculate your KPIs
• Seasonal Variations - How to compare your performance year over year rather than month to month to get a true picture of your business’s health.
• Improving Strategies

Have your own experiences or tips to share? Connect with Christa on Instagram (@ChristaGurka) and join the conversation.

Let's empower each other to create thriving, supportive work environments in the fitness and wellness industry.

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we're diving into a listener-inspired question about handling staff issues in the fitness and wellness industry.

Christa shares her expertise on managing instructors' pay expectations, educating your team on business finances, fostering transparency, and creating a supportive work environment.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Acknowledging Staff Value: Learn strategies to recognize and appreciate the contributions of your team, ensuring they feel valued and motivated.
• Educating Your Team on Business Finances: Discover the importance of educating your staff about the financial realities of running a business, promoting understanding and alignment.
• Transparency and Team Buy-In: Explore methods to foster transparency within your team, encouraging buy-in and a cohesive, supportive work environment.
• Managing High Staff Turnover: Gain insights into effectively managing high staff turnover, minimizing disruption, and maintaining a stable team.
• Handling Difficult Conversations: Receive practical advice on navigating challenging conversations with staff, addressing issues with confidence and clarity.
• Emotional Toll on Business Owners: Understand the emotional impact of staff challenges on business owners and learn strategies to manage stress and maintain well-being.

Have your own experiences or tips to share? Connect with Christa on Instagram (@ChristaGurka) and join the conversation.

Let's empower each other to create thriving, supportive work environments in the fitness and wellness industry.

Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered podcast. I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and in this episode, I’m discussing healthy margins for business profitability. By the end of this episode, you should have a handle on what percentage of your business’s income should be going to certain expenses so that you can maintain healthy margins to keep your business growing.

Some of the key things I discuss in this episode are:

• Payroll Costs - Payroll is typically the largest expense in a service-based business. Industry experts recommend payroll costs should be between 30% and 45% of revenue.
• Rent - Rent should be less than 15% of your overall revenue, ideally around 10% to 12%. Consider market variations (e.g., urban vs. rural) and negotiate lease terms carefully.
• Marketing - Healthy marketing spend is between 5% and 10% of revenue. For growth phases, spending might be up to 20%. Always measure the return on investment (ROI) for your marketing efforts.
• Profit Margins - A healthy profit margin in the fitness industry is between 12% and 20%. New businesses should aim to break even in the first year.

Be sure to stay tuned for more details about the upcoming CEO Summit. Join the waitlist for a transformative experience designed for 25 women and their teams.

Interested in learning more about Kickstart Accounting? Check them out!

Downloadable Resources: Visit ChristaGurka.com to access financial benchmarks and other helpful tools.

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Thanks for tuning in! If you found this episode helpful, please share it with other fitness and wellness professionals. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Female Empowered podcast on your favorite platform.

Want to chat about what I discussed in the episode? DM me on Instagram @ChristaGurka.

Together, let's empower each other to thrive in the fitness and wellness industry! If you're interested in being a guest on a future episode, reach out to us at Christa@pilatesinthegrove.com.

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka.

Today, we have the pleasure of featuring Lauren Amron, the Chief Operating Officer at Pilates in the Grove. Lauren shares her journey from law and finance to becoming COO, and provides an in-depth look at the recently launched Grow program, designed to support individuals in administrative roles within boutique fitness businesses.

Key Takeaways:

• Introducing the Grow Program: Get an overview of the new Grow program, developed in partnership with Pilates in the Grove, aimed at empowering administrative staff in boutique fitness businesses.
• Supporting Your Team: Hear Christa's advice for business owners on effectively supporting their administrative teams through clear expectations, comprehensive training, and proper acknowledgment of their efforts.
• Using Metrics for Growth: Understand the importance of consistency in data sources and clearly defining metrics to track business performance and plan for future growth.

Some of the features of the Grow Program include:

• Time Management and Social Media: Explore common struggles faced by support staff, such as time management and mastering social media management
• Overcoming Bottlenecks: Identify how owners can often be the bottleneck for their teams due to unclear expectations, inadequate training, and lack of support.
• Personalized Attention: Learn about the benefits of the Grow program's small group size, which allows for personalized attention and accountability.
• Graphical Data Presentation: See how data is presented graphically to help owners easily understand trends and identify growth opportunities
• Peer Support: The program provides valuable outside perspectives and peer support, encouraging teams to implement effective strategies.

Ready to empower your support staff and drive your business forward? Learn more about the Grow program and how it can benefit your administrative team.

Connect with us on Instagram (@ChristaGurka) and share your experiences and insights on supporting your team.

Join the conversation and take the next step in optimizing your business operations today!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast with your host, Christa Gurka! In this episode, I discuss how to effectively manage slow seasons in business, address negative thoughts, and find opportunities for growth.

Some of the specific things I addressed are:

• Focusing on the Bigger Picture: How business owners tend to focus on negative outcomes instead of considering the bigger picture.
• Personal Development and Optimization: Using downtime in business for personal development and optimization.
• Growth and Recharge: Embracing slow seasons in business for growth and recharge.
• Mindset Shift: Learn how to shift your mindset from negative outcomes to long-term success.

Ready to learn more about shifting your mindset? Listeners can download my free mindset audio course by visiting ChristaGurka.com/mindsetaudiocourse.

Looking for more resources and support? Visit ChristaGurka.com for information on my mastermind programs and additional resources.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review for the show to help other female fitness and wellness professionals find our podcast!

If you're interested in being a guest on a future episode, reach out to me at Christa@pilatesinthegrove.com.

Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, keep empowering yourselves and others!

In this episode, our host Christa Gurka dives into the complex issue of raising prices for fitness and wellness businesses amidst an economic downturn. With inflation driving up costs across the board, Christa explores the financial realities facing service-based businesses and offers actionable strategies to navigate price increases with grace and integrity.

Key Insights from this episode include:

• Analyzing Business Numbers: Dive into the importance of thorough financial analysis to determine necessary price adjustments in response to increasing costs.
• Value-Centric Framing: Learn how to frame price updates around the value provided to clients, emphasizing the transformative impact of your services rather than mere cost considerations.
• Timing Considerations: Explore the optimal timing for implementing price increases and the benefits of gradually phasing in adjustments over multiple periods to mitigate their impact.
• Client Loyalty Building: Discover the power of personalized service and extra touches in building client loyalty, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the value proposition behind price increases.
• Addressing Objections: Anticipate and address common objections to price increases by reinforcing the value proposition and highlighting the long-term benefits for clients.

Additional Insights:

• Profitability Maintenance: Understand that maintaining profitability is crucial for long-term business sustainability, necessitating price adjustments to cover rising costs and achieve revenue goals.
• Value Emphasis: Emphasize the value provided to clients beyond mere hourly rates, showcasing private pay options as a strategic investment in time and results.
• Gradual Implementation: Implement price increases gradually over time to ease the impact on clients and ensure a smooth transition.
• Sustainable Growth: Prioritize profitability over revenue growth alone to ensure the long-term viability of your business, benefiting clients, staff, and the broader community alike.

Don't miss this discussion on navigating price increases in challenging economic times - tune in to gain invaluable insights for your business journey!

Subscribe to the Female Empowered podcast for more insightful discussions on topics relevant to female entrepreneurs in the fitness and wellness industry. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with your fellow entrepreneurs to spread the message of empowerment and resilience.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow entrepreneurs. Together, let's empower each other to thrive in the fitness and wellness industry! If you're interested in being a guest on a future episode, reach out to us at Christa@pilatesinthegrove.com.

Welcome to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. In this episode, Christa is shedding light on the pressing issue of burnout among female fitness and wellness entrepreneurs, including its causes, signs, and effective prevention and coping mechanisms.

Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, and with her trademark blend of empathy and expertise Christa shares invaluable insights and actionable strategies for preventing and addressing burnout in the industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Causes of Burnout: Christa examines common triggers such as people-pleasing, validation-seeking, and overcommitment, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the root causes of burnout.
• Signs of Burnout: From reduced productivity to emotional exhaustion and detachment, Christa highlights the telltale signs of burnout that entrepreneurs should be mindful of.
• Prevention and Coping Strategies: Through insights gleaned from her own journey, Christa discusses the importance of setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and making difficult decisions to scale a business without sacrificing personal well-being.
• Reconnecting with Core Values: Christa encourages listeners to engage in exercises aimed at reconnecting with their core values and rediscovering the passion that initially drove them to start their businesses.
• Community Support Options: Christa introduces listeners to her programs designed to provide community support and guidance, offering a lifeline for entrepreneurs grappling with burnout.

Don’t forget to complete the values/goals exercise to gain clarity and alignment with your core values. By implementing 1-2 action steps, you can realign with drifted core values, paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable approach to entrepreneurship.

Subscribe to the Female Empowered podcast for more insightful discussions on topics relevant to female entrepreneurs in the fitness and wellness industry. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with your fellow entrepreneurs to spread the message of empowerment and resilience.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow entrepreneurs. Together, let's empower each other to thrive in the fitness and wellness industry!

If you're interested in being a guest on a future episode, reach out to us at Christa@pilatesinthegrove.com.