The Business of Boutique Fitness

Hosted by Lise Kuecker

Business Management Health Fitness

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Episodes

744

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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?

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60 recent

September 21, 2026Episode 74834 min

748: Is Yoga Dead? Why the Yoga Studio Business Model Is Changing and What Owners Should Do Next

Is yoga dead? Not even close. But the traditional yoga studio business model is facing a very different market than it was 10 or 15 years ago. In this episode of The Business of Boutique Fitness, Studio Grow's Caroline Plambeck digs into the conversation sparked by The Atlantic's "What Happened to Yoga?" and asks a much more useful question: What happens when the modality your business was built around stops being the thing everyone is talking about? Yoga participation is still strong. But today's wellness consumer has more choices than ever—Pilates, strength training, HYROX, run clubs, recovery, sauna, longevity, breathwork, mobility, wearable technology and more are all competing for the same time and money. That means studio owners can't simply rely on their modality to sell itself. Caroline breaks down why Pilates has become so easy for consumers to understand and buy, why vague yoga marketing like "find your flow" may be hurting studios more than helping them, and why your clients don't owe loyalty to a particular modality—you have to earn their loyalty to your business. You'll also hear why a packed schedule doesn't necessarily mean a profitable studio, how pricing, payroll, utilization and owner compensation reveal the true health of the business, and why community and belonging may ultimately be a boutique studio's greatest competitive advantage as fitness content becomes increasingly commoditized. In this episode, you'll learn how to: • Identify what your clients are actually hiring your studio to help them accomplish • Make your marketing communicate clear value in seconds • Understand where your members are spending the rest of their wellness dollars • Evaluate whether your pricing, payroll, schedule utilization and membership model actually work • Build an experience that offers something YouTube and at-home fitness can't replicate • Explore complementary modalities without blindly chasing fitness trends • Build around lasting consumer needs like strength, longevity, mobility, stress relief, progress and belonging Pilates may be having its cultural moment right now. Before that, yoga had one. Something else will come next. The goal isn't to chase whichever modality is trending. It's to understand the human need underneath the trend—and build a profitable, sustainable business capable of meeting it. Because yoga doesn't need saving. But the businesses built around it may need to evolve. Catch you there. With grit and gratitude, Lisé LINKS: Studio Grow Visit Studio Grow The Business of Boutique Fitness Podcast Explore the podcast The Atlantic — "What Happened to Yoga?" Read the article that sparked the conversation ClassPass 2025 Look Back Report See the latest ClassPass fitness trend data discussed in the episode Caroline Plambeck's bodyRIOT Visit bodyRIOT Follow Studio Grow on Instagram @studiogrowco Connect with Studio Grow on LinkedIn Studio Grow on LinkedIn Listen on Spotify The Business of Boutique Fitness on Spotify Watch Studio Grow on YouTube Studio Grow on YouTube

September 14, 2026Episode 74741 min

747: Connected Fitness in 2026 - What Boutique Fitness Studios Can Learn from Peloton, Tonal, Wearables & AI

Connected fitness isn't replacing boutique fitness, but it is changing what clients expect from their studios. In this episode of The Business of Boutique Fitness, Studio Grow founder Lise Kuecker and Heather Garrick explore what boutique fitness studio owners can learn from brands like Peloton, Tonal, and Mirror, and how connected fitness, wearable technology, AI, and personalized training are reshaping the future of the fitness industry. They break down why community and in-person motivation still matter, how Peloton built loyalty through instructors and digital community, what Tonal gets right about personalization, and what the rise and fall of Mirror can teach studio owners about content, talent, and long-term customer value. You'll also hear practical ways studios can use wearable data from platforms like WHOOP, Apple Watch, Garmin, and Myzone to create more personalized member experiences, improve retention, and even build new revenue streams. Plus, Lise and Heather look ahead at hybrid memberships, AI-powered programming, connected health data, longevity, and the growing overlap between boutique fitness and preventative healthcare. Connected fitness isn't an either/or decision. Your clients can train at home, track their health through wearables, and still deeply value the coaching, accountability, community, and human connection they find inside your studio. The opportunity for studio owners is learning how to make those experiences work together. If you own or operate a boutique fitness studio, this episode will help you understand where connected fitness is headed, and how to use technology to create a better client experience without losing what makes boutique fitness valuable in the first place. Catch you there. With grit and gratitude, Lise LINKS: Studio Grow Visit Studio Grow The Business of Boutique Fitness Podcast Home Listen on Apple Podcasts The Business of Boutique Fitness on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify The Business of Boutique Fitness on Spotify Follow Studio Grow on Instagram @studiogrowco on Instagram Connect with Studio Grow on LinkedIn Studio Grow on LinkedIn Watch Studio Grow on YouTube Studio Grow on YouTube

September 4, 2026Episode 74626 min

746: How to Build a Profitable Fitness Studio Schedule - Using Data, Not Guesswork

August 28, 2026Episode 74518 min

745: Energy Hacks - Lighting, Music & Ambience That Boost Retention

August 21, 2026Episode 74430 min

744: 10 Steps to Open Your Fitness Studio

Follow along with the free Open Profitably Playbook here: https://training.studiogrow.co/studio... Thinking about opening a fitness studio? Here are the 10 essential steps to take you from idea to profitable grand opening — covering your business plan, labor model, funding, lease negotiation, build-out, brand strategy, hiring, and how to build a waitlist that turns into a packed presale. Whether you're opening a Pilates studio, yoga studio, or any boutique fitness concept, this is the roadmap to opening your doors profitably. Hi... we're Studio Grow. We help boutique fitness studio owners grow their revenue, retain more members, and build businesses that actually scale. And if you're thinking about opening your first studio — we help you launch it profitably from day one. We've worked with thousands of studio owners across 40 countries. We know what works, what doesn't, and exactly what it takes to build a studio that lasts. Here's what we know for sure... the studios that win aren't always the biggest — they're the ones willing to move, adapt, and keep building when others hesitate. 🚀 If you want to start your studio… we got you → https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVC1rUnVReFJmTFRmMHNwUkctYnJtSXxBR3JiS2FsczlVczRndDh5bE1TbEg4ZXNzT3BrYUNzS3dzQ2NBVHZFMUxqb3o2YTVOb0U0SlVyQ05TcnRRWFlMYkRhazZ4dFhnX3FwQVowRGNpWFFFV2MtYnNFb1FYVUVhaFBO&q=https%3A%2F%2Flink.studiogrow.co%2Fwidget%2Fbookings%2Fstudio-discovery%2Fig&v=BGRj4omO-CE

August 14, 2026Episode 74329 min

743: 6 Mistakes That Can Kill Your Studio Before You Open

Want to launch a profitable boutique fitness studio? Book a free strategy call with our team and let's map out your next steps → https://training.studiogrow.co/syspst... Why do some boutique fitness studios open profitably while others struggle from day one? In this episode, Alina and Matt break down the biggest mistakes they see new studio owners make and what to do instead. You'll learn how to: -Build a brand worth investing in -Create a financial plan built for profitability -Get your location, landlord, and lease right -Build a pre-sale strategy that actually converts -Avoid procrastination on the decisions that matter -Cut costs without hurting your studio's growth

August 7, 2026Episode 73920 min

742: How to Keep Your Studio Relevant (Best Of)

Want to build a boutique fitness studio that stands the test of time? Book a free strategy call with our team and let's map out your next steps → https://training.studiogrow.co/syspst... This special Best Of episode brings together our top advice on staying relevant in a fast-changing fitness industry. From refreshing your brand and evolving your messaging to building trust, confidence, and a business that grows with your clients, these are the strategies that keep great studios ahead of the competition. You'll learn how to: Recognize when your brand needs a refresh Keep your studio relevant without chasing every trend Build a brand that clients trust and remember Lead your business with greater confidence and clarity Adapt as the boutique fitness industry evolves

August 1, 2026Episode 74122 min

741: Best of - Profitable studio, not just a busy one

Want to build a more profitable boutique fitness studio? Book a free strategy call with our team and let's map out your next steps → https://training.studiogrow.co/syspst... This special Best Of episode brings together our top advice on improving studio profitability—from fixing hidden profit leaks and increasing prices with confidence to optimizing your schedule and building stronger member retention systems. If you're ready to grow a healthier, more profitable studio, this is the perfect place to start. You'll learn how to: Identify and eliminate hidden profit leaks Raise your prices without losing members Build stronger retention systems that increase lifetime value Optimize your class schedule for higher profitability Test new classes and grow your studio strategically -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi... we're Studio Grow. We help boutique fitness studio owners grow their revenue, retain more members, and build businesses that actually scale. And if you're thinking about opening your first studio — we help you launch it profitably from day one. We've worked with thousands of studio owners across 40 countries. We know what works, what doesn't, and exactly what it takes to build a studio that lasts. Here's what we know for sure... the studios that win aren't always the biggest — they're the ones willing to move, adapt, and keep building when others hesitate. 🚀 If you want to grow your studio… we got you → https://link.studiogrow.co/widget/boo... If you want better systems and strategy… we can help → https://studiogrow.co/wp-content/uplo... If you're planning to launch your studio… start here → https://studiogrow.co/wp-content/uplo...

July 28, 2026Episode 74031 min

740: How to stay profitable once you're open (BEST OF)

July 15, 2026Episode 73938 min

739: Case Study - Turning Partnerships Into Multi-Million Dollar Revenue

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