Studio Launch Diaries

Hosted by Cardy Brothers

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Jun 2025

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About the show

Welcome to Studio Launch Diaries with Jack & Jacob! We're two brothers on a mission to help personal trainers like you launch, grow and scale a fitness studio business. In our show, we'll share the secrets we've discovered from growing our own gyms. Plus, we'll give you tips that you can use to become the go-to for fitness in your local market. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of gym growth together. We're excited to have you with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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45 recent

June 27, 202523 min

#44: 10 Launch Mistakes New Fitness Studio Owners Make

We sat down to talk about the 10 biggest mistakes new gym owners make when they launch their studios. We know these mistakes because we've made them ourselves, and we've seen our clients make them too. We wanted to keep this real and share stories from our own experience so others don't fall into the same traps.We went back and forth with our own top five each. It got us thinking about the things we wish someone had told us sooner—from not planning cash flow properly to forgetting to tell your story in the local community. It’s about knowing where money’s going, how to talk to new members, and making sure you don’t try to do it all alone.If you’re about to launch, or even if you’re a year in, we think this chat will help you avoid some painful and expensive lessons.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:1:17 – Why this topic matters for new studio owners2:48 – Mistake 1: No financial modelling4:40 – Mistake 2: Not negotiating rent-free periods6:04 – Mistake 3: Trying to do it all yourself7:24 – Mistake 4: Not building a waiting list early9:00 – Mistake 5: Wrong hire terms11:36 – Mistake 6: Publishing your prices too soon14:30 – Mistake 7: Emotional decisions from limited feedback17:02 – Mistake 8: No measurable sales process19:00 – Mistake 9: No in-person selling at launch20:56 – Mistake 10: Not telling your story locally*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 20, 202524 min

#43: The Real Reason Your Fitness Studio Marketing Isn’t Working

In this episode, we break down the four big buckets every studio owner needs to get right—marketing, sales, operations and finances. We talk honestly about where we’re strong, where we’ve slipped, and what we’re doing to keep each area working well. We share how we think about Facebook ads, team systems, consult calls and even managing finances with our dad (yep, our CFO). The goal? Help you think about your studio in a clearer way so you can stop reacting and start leading.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:2:24 – What most studios forget to do well4:24 – Why cost per acquisition is our North Star11:12 – Why founders shouldn’t chase every lead16:00 – Team systems that keep things running20:03 – What we track financially and why it matters22:59 – Stop trying to please everyone*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 202522 min

#42: The Hardest Decision We’ve Had to Make as Studio Owners

In this episode, we share what it was really like to go through a price increase at one of our locations. We talk through why we did it, how we did it, and what we learnt from the reaction. We cover the honest fears we had before hitting send, the careful planning behind it, and how we made sure it added more value — not less — for our members. If you’ve been putting off a price increase for months (or years), this one will hit home. There’s also some behind-the-scenes stuff in here about how we’re shifting the podcast to support more of you who are on the journey to launch.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:00:00 – No plan, just press record 00:58 – Why we raised prices after 19 months 03:10 – The true cost of running a gym right now 04:45 – How we communicated the price increase 06:55 – What we’re improving and adding for members 08:10 – Run club, nutrition and new membership options 10:00 – Handling member feedback (good and bad) 12:57 – Preparing our team and systems 15:40 – Studio owner mindset during tough decisions 18:05 – Rebranding the podcast and what’s next*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 202522 min

#41: Brainstorming Ideas for Our New Studio Owner Course

Join the waiting list for Studio Prep Kit: cardybrothers.com/prepWe’re building something new and we wanted to bring you behind the scenes as we map it all out.Over the past few months, we’ve been developing GymHQ, a full operating system for studio owners. But after digging into our email list, podcast listeners, and social followers, we realised something big: most of you don’t own a studio yet—but you want to.So in this episode, we talk through the big pivot we’re making. Instead of building something after you’ve signed a lease, we’re working on a tool to help you get to that point with more confidence. We break down the key questions you need to ask before opening a gym, how to find a great location, what to look for in a lease, and how much you’ll need to budget for the build-out.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:01:00 – Why we’re pivoting from GymHQ04:00 – Should we build something earlier in the journey?07:00 – The mindset shift from trainer to owner08:30 – How to test if a location is worth pursuing10:00 – “Are you ready?” scorecard idea11:00 – The location scorecard tool12:00 – Lease negotiations and what to watch out for14:00 – Tools to help you decode your lease15:00 – Realistic costs of a studio build-out16:30 – P&L and cash flow templates18:00 – Choosing the right model for your space21:00 – Our Notion dashboard plan22:00 – Join the waitlist for early access*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 202520 min

#40: Why Online Isn’t the Only Way to Scale Your PT Business

In this episode, we talk about why we started this podcast and how we’ve grown from helping one studio owner to launching a full-on movement. We open up about the shift from personal trainer to business owner, what that mindset change really takes, and how freedom doesn’t just come from going online. We also unpack our offer timeline for the rest of the year—what’s working, what’s not, and how we’re planning to beat rising ad costs without losing steam. If you’re running a studio, or want to, there’s loads in here you’ll relate to.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:0:00 – Why we’ve been off the mic and recovering1:56 – How the podcast started4:48 – Our first studio client and the results5:59 – Revamp: the studio journey6:56 – Why online isn’t the only way to grow7:56 – The trap of building a job, not a business10:15 – Letting go of the vine: stepping into ownership11:17 – Offer planning for the year ahead13:35 – Why our offers stay the same but look different15:50 – Filling the gaps between campaigns17:08 – Making the most of your email list18:40 – One simple email that books consults19:57 – Creative ways we’re keeping lead costs down20:32 – How you can share what’s working with us*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 23, 202520 min

#39: What We’d Do Differently After Two Big Member Events

We just wrapped up our first two events of the year and wow, it’s been busy! In this episode, we look back at how they went, what we’d change, and why these types of events matter so much for building a strong studio community. We talk about how we plan, budget, and promote each one—especially what we’ve learned the hard way. If you’ve ever thought about running member socials or off-site activities at your gym, this one will give you loads to think about. We also share our best tips to get bums on seats and make sure your event doesn’t flop. Let’s dive in.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:02:00 – What went down at Ninja Warrior (and who got injured)05:00 – Clip & Climb and helping members push past fear06:45 – The budget chat: where we went wrong last year10:45 – Why we plan all events at the start of the year14:00 – How we promoted events using poems and teaser posts15:00 – Smarter signups with Stripe and CRM landing pages17:00 – Why events boost retention and re-signs19:00 – Building repeatable event systems that save time and money*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 9, 202525 min

#38: Breaking Down Our Q1 Numbers: Leads, Sales & Lessons

In this episode, we look back at everything that happened for us in Q1 across both gym locations. We share what worked, what didn’t, and how we’re planning for Q2. We also walk you through the exact quarterly review template we use inside Gym HQ—our full operating system for gym and studio owners. You’ll hear real numbers, wins, lessons we learned, and what we’re doubling down on next. If you’re running a gym and want to grow it the right way, this one’s for you.**************************CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST FOR GYM HQCLICK HERE FOR FREE QUARTERLY PLANNING TEMPLATE**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:00:00 – Intro & what this episode is all about01:00 – What Gym HQ is and why we built it02:30 – Our biggest win this quarter: centralised online sales05:00 – How we kept a premium feel with online consults06:30 – First events of the year and what we learned08:00 – Lessons learned around time, systems and team care10:40 – Full Q1 numbers breakdown from Location 113:00 – Full Q1 numbers from Location 215:00 – How we now manage our waiting list differently16:40 – Top 3 goals going into Q218:50 – Creative ways we’re telling client stories20:40 – Plans for a run club and future events22:30 – Optimising systems, processes and AI lead handling24:00 – Wrapping up with key takeaways and template download info*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 2, 202524 min

#37: Are You Focusing on the WRONG Things in Your Gym?

We’ve been flat out with events lately, but in this episode, we wanted to talk about something that keeps popping up with gym owners—and honestly, we’ve fallen into the same trap too. It’s the habit of focusing on the wrong stuff. Decorations over foundations. Looking busy instead of doing the real work. We talk about the things that feel productive—like tweaking your Canva posts or stressing over your Instagram grid—but don’t actually grow your studio. Then we get into what does move the needle: sales, retention, knowing your numbers, and building the kind of business that lasts. This one’s a bit of a rant, but it’s a useful reminder for us too. If you’re a studio owner who sometimes loses focus or overthinks the small stuff, this episode’s a line-in-the-sand moment.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:01:45: Focusing on the wrong stuff05:20: Decorations vs foundations09:00: Avoiding hard things like sales12:00: What foundational work actually looks like20:50: A simple action plan to shift focus*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 25, 202523 min

#36: How to Run Gym Ads That Stand Out in a Crowded Market

If you’ve ever run Facebook or Instagram ads and felt like they didn’t quite land, this one’s for you. We talk about the real reason ads stop working, why it’s probably not your targeting, and how to tell if it’s a business problem or a marketing one. Plus, we walk through a simple framework based on the five stages of awareness, so you can match your message to what your audience actually needs to hear. We also share what’s working right now for us and our clients—from narrowing offers to launching high-trust ad campaigns and even using body scans to spark action. Nothing fluffy, just real examples and stuff we’re testing inside our own studios.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:00:00 – Why we’re doing audio-only today01:00 – When gym ads don’t work and what to check first03:00 – The five stages of awareness (and how to use them)06:00 – How to shift your message as your market evolves10:00 – Real example: narrowing your offer to cut acquisition costs14:00 – Moving leads down the funnel with smarter headlines17:00 – Behind the scenes: building systems to scale20:00 – A summer idea to spark walk-ins using body scans*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 19, 202528 min

#15: How to Build an Appointment Funnel for Your Gym [Replay]

This is a replayed episode from last year. In it, we talk about how to build an appointment funnel for your gym. We dive deep into the steps you need to take to create a seamless journey for potential clients, turning them from interested leads into lifelong members. We'll cover everything from organising your calendar to automating appointments and creating valuable content that fills any gaps in your funnel. This isn't just about booking more appointments; it's about making sure those appointments turn into loyal clients.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:[02:45] - Why Every Gym Needs an Appointment Funnel[05:30] - Top Tips for Organising Your Calendar Like a Pro[11:15] - The Secret to Automating Your Appointments[18:40] - How to Create an FAQ Page That Converts[26:55] - Fill-the-Gap Content: The Game Changer for Your Funnel[33:20] - Success Stories: How Real Gyms are Crushing It[40:10] - Must-Know KPIs for Mastering Your Appointment Funnel*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.