I'm Lise Kuecker, a long time Studio Owner turned founder here at Studio Grow. Just a few years ago, I was building my studios the hard way cause I didn't have the team, the budget, or most importantly the time. If you speed up to today, I sold my wildly profitable studios in the mid-7 figures while serving my community in ways I could have only dreamed. Now, I work with thousands of boutique fitness studio owners in over 40 countries and am so blessed to share some of the best tested strategies for our industry every single week. I created this podcast so you'd always have clear, actionable processes, tried and tested Facebook advice and some good ole fashioned inspiration so that you can take simple actionable steps to grow your studio and turn it into a powerhouse empire, just like I did. If you're a studio owner who's ready to impact your community and see major growth in the process, or you're prepping to become one, then you are in the right place. So let's kick this off, shall we?
More classes don't automatically mean more revenue. In fact, the wrong schedule can drain your profits, frustrate your members and burn out your instructors. The highest-performing boutique fitness studios don't rely on instinct—they build schedules using data and strategy. The utilization target that maximizes growth without overcrowding classes Why your most popular class times may not be generating the most profit How to know when to add, move, merge or remove classes Creative ways to turn slow hours into new revenue opportunities Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and Topic 00:26 – Schedule as Revenue System 01:05 – Start With Data 03:54 – Demand Patterns and Anchors 05:29 – Utilization Targets Formula 07:27 – Fixing Off-Peak Hours 09:10 – Strategic Class Pairings 11:00 – Diagnosing Low Performers 13:38 – Instructor Optimization Staffing 16:38 – KPIs That Matter 18:07 – Cutting Classes With Care 20:32 – Member Journey Simplicity 22:04 – Audit Process and Benchmarks 23:08 – Budget Pie and Profit 24:39 – Final Tips Want help building a schedule that increases revenue and supports long-term growth? Schedule your free strategy call .
The right partnerships won't make or break your studio—but they can become revenue sources you never imagined, from free team perks to five- and six-figure deals. Most owners underestimate just how broad "partnership" really is, and how much money is sitting on the table. Lisé Kuecker and Alina Cooper break down how to build boutique fitness partnerships that actually pay in Episode 739: Turning Studio Partnerships Into Real Revenue. Start small and local: coffee shops, salons and restaurants make low-cost, high-return referral partners when you're early Get the timing right: you need steady memberships, solid SOPs and a ready team before partnerships become a distraction instead of a boost Stack the revenue tiers: move from goods-in-kind to big giveaways, affiliate profit-shares, in-house pop-ups and brand collabs Go where the real money is: corporate and real estate partnerships can drive 30% of revenue—or capital contributions in the hundreds of thousands Protect and nurture the relationship: align on values, track the data, build in exit clauses, and add one partnership at a time Every strong partnership starts with two questions: what do your clients actually need, and what can you genuinely do for the partner in return. Nail that alignment, invest in the relationship, and you build a revenue stream that compounds for years. Episode 739 shows you how. Catch you there. With grit and gratitude, Lisé LINKS: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/ https://open.spotify.com/show/04zR1tRiRhQUdIfvLbh60N https://www.youtube.com/@studiogrowco/videos
Ep 737: The Studio Exit Playbook Selling your studio isn't a decision you make when you're ready to leave — by then, you've already lost your negotiating leverage. In this episode, Matt Hanton sits down with Lise Kuecker to walk through the complete exit playbook: how to build a studio buyers actually want, when to start preparing (hint: 18–24 months minimum), and what really happens after the papers are signed. They cover: Why buyers acquire assets, not burnout — and what makes a studio truly turnkey The numbers that drive your multiple: profit margins, clean books, and recurring contracted revenue The most common deal killers, from lease transfer language to financing that falls through at the underwriter The emotional side of exiting — identity, transition planning, and what to do with yourself the day after the sale Whether you're opening your doors next year or eyeing an exit in five, the planning starts today.
When your lead coach quits, it can feel like your best friend just dumped you—and the panic of "I can't do this without them" hits before the schedule gap even sinks in. But losing a key instructor is a normal part of studio growth, and handled right, it's a leadership and systems upgrade hiding in plain sight. Caroline Plambeck and Lisa Taylor walk through how to stabilize, communicate and rebuild when a key instructor leaves in Episode 736: What to Do When Your Lead Coach Quits. Stabilize before you react: in the first hour, go operational—get the facts, keep the decision circle small, and hold the announcement Lean on your bench: a trained pipeline of instructors lets you cover classes without panic-hiring out of desperation Communicate with calm: tell your team first, keep it factual and professional, and celebrate the outgoing coach on the way out Replace the role with structure: redistribute responsibilities and strengthen your processes instead of cloning one irreplaceable person Build a bench that lasts: cross-train your team, define roles and KPIs, and make the lead coach position sustainable long term A strong studio doesn't run on one irreplaceable person—it runs on systems any strong coach can step into. Pause the emotional reaction, look for the opportunity in the change, and you'll come out steadier than you went in. Episode 736 shows you how. Catch you there. With grit and gratitude, Lisé LINKS: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/ https://open.spotify.com/show/04zR1tRiRhQUdIfvLbh60N https://www.youtube.com/@studiogrowco/videos
Enterprise partners that serve boutique fitness—from tech providers and wellness platforms to recovery brands and corporate wellness programs—have a major opportunity ahead. The businesses that understand how studios are evolving will be positioned to grow alongside them. Why hybrid fitness is becoming the new industry standard How AI, wearables, and personalization are reshaping member expectations The growing demand for wellness, recovery, and longevity services Why community a critical retention driver How to reduce friction and create more value for studios Timestamps: 00:00 – Boutique Fitness Outlook 00:41 – Hybrid Fitness Wins 03:06 – AI & Personalization 05:20 – Tonal Pop-Up 07:50 – Holistic Wellness & Recovery 12:06 – Community Drives Loyalty 13:15 – Future-Proof Strategies 15:09 – Wrap-Up Subscribe to The Business of Boutique Fitness for ongoing insights into the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of boutique fitness.
Learn the best ways to keep clients coming back from Caroline Plambeck and Connor McGarry in Episode 734: 7 Client Retention Strategies Every Studio Owner Should Know. Extend the honeymoon phase: nurture members through a 90-day journey Embrace the loyalty loop: ensure the client journey never ends Rescue lost sheep: proactively reconnect with members before they disappear for good Reignite dormant demand: win back expired intros and canceled members Cultivate a third space: foster community, belonging and consistency Retention is your most predictable path to revenue you can count on. Maximize it.
The leap from boutique fitness studio founder to multi-unit CEO demands a different playbook. Scaling successfully requires changing how you think, lead and plan. Start with four non-negotiables every enterprise CEO must address early. Alina Cooper and Lisa Taylor walk through them in Episode 733: What Fitness Enterprise CEOs Must Plan For. Become an architect: Shift from operator to planning for your future business needs Create capacity: Identify personnel and infrastructure requirements for growth Clarify capital: Know what you need, when you need it and what each dollar is for Engineer culture: Deliberately reinforce values, feedback and accountability Anticipate change: Forecast market shifts, industry evolution and consumer pivots Your business is only as scalable as you are, so invest in your personal leadership development and always be learning. Get the essential framework in Episode 733. Catch you there, Lise
Scaling your studio without an informed strategy is a huge gamble. And in today's saturated boutique fitness market, the cost of guessing wrong can cost you more than a million dollars. To reduce risk, don't rely on your instincts. Discover why a feasibility study is vital with Heather Garrick and Lisa Taylor in Episode 732: How Smart Fitness Brands Scale. Dig into data: make decisions based on numbers, not hope or emotions Know your market: understand demographics, income and wellness spending Study the competition: evaluate pricing gaps, fill rates and underserved niches Model the money: create best, base and worst-case financial scenarios Fix first: address operational weaknesses before opening another studio Know the realities of your market first so you can build a business that thrives. Investing in data makes every decision wiser and every risk smaller. Episode 732 is your starting point. Catch you there, Lise
Your studio's brand isn't your name, logo or aesthetics—it's your people. That means if your team isn't performing at its highest level, neither is your business. To fix what's wrong, Alina Cooper and Matt Hanton break down Patrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team in Episode 731: The Anatomy of a High-Performing Studio Team. Build a strong foundation: foster vulnerability-based trust so people feel connected Reframe conflict: invite honest, productive debate to drive better outcomes Cultivate commitment: establish alignment by explaining the why and consequences Implement accountability: set expectations and create a culture of ownership Highlight results: paint the big picture; share collective goals, targets and data You don't have to tackle all five dysfunctions at once. Start with trust as the base. And be patient—change doesn't happen overnight. Adopt a proven framework in Episode 731. Catch you there, Lise
If your studio starts to feel out of sync with your market, members or your vision, something's gotta change. Otherwise, you're leaving revenue, retention and growth on the table. Get a candid, been-there roadmap from Heather Garrick and Caroline Plambeck in Episode 730: When to Rebrand or Pivot Your Studio—and find out if it's time to make your move. Solve the right problem: strategy shift (pivot) or identity transformation (rebrand) Spot the red flags: declining retention, market confusion, low engagement Diagnose with data: search trends, member interviews and brand performance Adapt strategically: test concepts, consider every touchpoint and thoughtfully evolve Mitigate risks: prioritize communication to protect member loyalty and avoid confusion Y'all, rebrands and pivots aren't quick fixes—but done right, they can reposition your studio to thrive. Identify the warning signs and get the clarity you need in Episode 730. Catch you there, Lise
Boutique fitness is going global, but it's not just a growth play. International expansion is a full-scale operational, cultural and strategic transformation with real opportunities and risks. Get the inside track from someone who's actually built it at scale in Episode 729: Live from The HFA Show 2026: Lise Kuecker and Ashley Vasquez , VP of International at [solidcore] . 80/20 rule: maintain brand standards while allowing localized adaptation Tech reality check: your CRM, app and LMS may not adapt internationally Cultural nuance: what works in one market can completely flop in another Partnership stakes: the right local partner can make—or break—your success Speed vs. control: franchising scales fast, but consistency must be protected Most brands underestimate the complexity of expanding internationally. You need determination, flexibility and mastery of endless details. Episode 729 is your reality check. Catch you there. With grit and gratitude, Lisé LINKS: https://studiogrow.co/ https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/ https://open.spotify.com/show/04zR1tRiRhQUdIfvLbh60N https://www.youtube.com/@studiogrowco/videos
Just because your first studio is crushing it doesn't mean it's time to open a second studio. Successful growth only happens when your foundation is truly ready. Industry veterans Alina Cooper and Lisa Taylor outline exactly what you need to assess before making a move in Episode 728: When to Open a Second Fitness Studio Location. Profit first: your baseline is 12–18 months of strong margins and steady cash flow Operational independence: the business runs and grows without you micromanaging Leadership depth: a strong, trained team can sustain Studio #1 while you build #2 Culture you can copy: your brand experience must be documented & replicable Systems that scale: tech, SOPs and automations are capable of greater capacity Launching a second studio may seem like the natural next move—but timing it wrong can stall (or sink) what you've built already. Avoid costly mistakes and get expert insights in Episode 728. Catch you there, Lise
Running a standout studio today is about building something people can't live without. The brands winning now thoughtfully integrate discipline, member experience and life change. Get an invaluable lesson in intentional excellence in Episode 727: Live from The HFA Show 2026: Lise Kuecker and Anne Smith , Chief Commercial Officer at [solidcore]. Experience-first growth: hospitality-level client journeys drive retention and referrals Coaches as the product: rigorous training and standards compel participation Commitment culture: memberships beat drop-ins when results are the goal Disciplined expansion: slow, strategic growth protects brand equity and unit economics Fitness fandom: community, identity and earned loyalty fuel long-term success Y'all, as boutique fitness matures and expands, the opportunity is massive. But growth starts with commitment, focus and exceptional execution. Grab your inside look in Episode 727. Catch you there, 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!
Your studio may not have a revenue problem—but a leakage issue. Small inefficiencies, missing nonprocesses, minimal oversight and "nice-to-have" decisions can drain profit and stifle growth. In Episode 726: 5 Profit Leaks Killing Your Fitness Studio, Matt Hanton and Heather Garrick identify the most common ways studio owners lose money—and how to plug the gaps fast. Pricing patchwork: legacy rates, special favors and constant promos cap revenue Dead weight: underutilized classes and a weak schedule bleed profitability over time Payroll holes: staffing that doesn't maximize productivity and outcomes is a drain Non-existent nurture: lack of formal retention systems leads to unchecked attrition Conversion gap: leads and trials slip through the cracks without a formal sales process One leak can impact your business—but several can be the difference between a studio that's busy and one that's actually profitable. Reclaim your revenue with Episode 726. Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Although running your studio may feel all-consuming (I get it!), don't neglect to keep an eye on how the fast-evolving fitness industry landscape ultimately can impact your day-to-day. Get food for thought on the global trends reshaping the sector in Episode 725: Live from The HFA Show 2026: Lise Kuecker and Emma Barry , CEO & Founder of Trouble Global. Influencer power: online personalities and audiences driving opportunities Merging models: boutiques, big box and digital morphing into a new ecosystem Price pressure: budget-friendly concepts resulting in more sustainable economics Mastery matters: declining coaching quality means certifications/training must level up Competition challenges: differentiation and owning your experience are critical From AI to GLP-1s to market saturation, we're witnessing massive acceleration. Understand the shifts, the results and how to adapt in Episode 725. Follow Emma Barry on Instagram. Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
You didn't open your studio to feel trapped. But are you driving yourself into the ground anyway? If everything depends entirely on you, all the time, your studio can't scale—or even survive. Burnout shouldn't be a given. Get a better plan from Caroline Plambeck and Connor McGarry in Episode 724: How to Grow Your Boutique Fitness Studio Without Burning Out. Plug your energy leaks: pinpoint tasks you dread and reassign them Let go: delegate true ownership with clarity to quash learned helplessness Plan the playbook: build SOPs that provide direction and answer questions Trade perfection for progress: accept 80% execution to get free from doing it all Think bigger: block non-negotiable hours to work on the business, not just in it Believe it or not, by releasing some control and redefining your role, you can stop endless grinding and start sustainably growing. Take your first steps with Episode 724. Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Y'all may not realize it, but decisions made in Washington D.C. and state capitals shape your studio's operations, contracts and long-term viability—and typically feel out of your control. Learn about the value of advocacy and how you have a stake (and more influence than you think) in Episode 723: Live from The HFA Show 2026: Lise Kuecker and Mike Goscinski , the Chief of Staff at the Health and Fitness Association . Politics matter: legislation impacts your business whether you engage or not Shifting perceptions: gaining credibility and positioning as part of preventive healthcare Promising opportunities: GLP-1 research, Medicare fitness benefits and more Your voice counts: small businesses make policy real and tangible for lawmakers Allies are everything: supporting HFA can unlock major wins for your business Whether it's click-to-cancel, cold spa regulation or using HSA funds for fitness memberships, laws can make or break our industry. Uncover what you need to know in Episode 723. The Health & Fitness Association is the only global trade association dedicated to protecting, promoting, and growing the health and fitness industry. We support active, healthy living by advocating for health and fitness businesses, delivering industry research and providing education that drives professional growth. Connect with HFA: YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Health & Fitness Business magazine Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Many studio managers stay stuck in the weeds—solving problems, teaching classes and doing all the things. But to grow, you need to move from manager to leader, and ultimately to investor. Beyond delegating tasks, you take on a new role. Alina Cooper walks you through it in Episode 722: From Manager to Leader: The Mindset Shift that Transforms Your Studio Team. Get candid: identify if you're in manager mode and commit to change Set them up: build SOPs and empower staff to own tasks and make decisions Invest intentionally: develop your team, provide opportunities and feedback Step back: hire a studio manager and remove yourself from the day-to-day Zoom out: focus on the big picture: culture, client experience & growth strategies If you stay in manager mode, your studio's growth will eventually plateau because you become the ceiling of your business. Level up to become a leader with Episode 722. Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Studios don't lose members suddenly—it happens slowly, quietly, and often without you ever knowing why. Given how hard you worked to earn your clients, be proactive to keep them. Understand the reasons clients leave—and how you can prevent it or save them instead—with Matt Hanton and Lisa Taylor in Episode 721: Why Clients Quit Your Fitness Studio. Mine CRM signals: track attendance dips, unused packages and behavior changes Lose operational friction: fix booking issues, waitlists and clunky processes Nurture the vibe: maintain cleanliness, order and a pleasing aesthetic Cultivate community: connect individually, deliver consistency and beat expectations Own the follow-up: reach out early and personally when engagement slips Client churn isn't random—it's death by a thousand cuts. But it's also fixable when you know what to do. Be intentional about catching it early to save at-risk members with Episode 721. Catch you there, 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! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
