Yoga Biz Champ with Michael Jay

Hosted by Michael Jay

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May 2026

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About the show

Join Michael Jay, the Yoga Biz Champ studio consultant (@yogabizchamp), on the "Yoga Biz Champ" podcast, your essential guide to thriving in the yoga business world. With a rich background as a yoga teacher, former studio owner, and marketing expert, I bring you the insider's perspective on making your yoga studio a resounding success. What You'll Gain: - Insightful Conversations: Listen in as I chat with dynamic yoga studio owners and top industry experts, sharing their journeys, strategies, and secrets to success. - Practical Advice: Each episode is packed with actionable tips and practical steps tailored to help both budding and seasoned studio owners flourish - Real-World Success Stories: Be inspired by real-life examples of yoga studios that have transformed challenges into triumphs. My Approach: As your host, I blend direct, fair, and humor-infused coaching to demystify the complexities of running a yoga business. My style is about being in the trenches with you, offering guidance that's relatable and effective. Why Listen? - Experience & Expertise: Leverage my 14+ years of experience in running and selling a profitable yoga studio and my proven track record as a yoga business consultant. - Diverse Topics: From branding and marketing to pricing and sustainable growth, we cover the A-Z of yoga business management. - Join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about turning their yoga dreams into profitable realities. By tuning into the Yoga Biz Champ podcast, you'll gain the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to navigate the yoga business landscape successfully. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, these conversations will be your roadmap to becoming the next Yoga Biz Champ in your community https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

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60 recent

June 15, 202621 min

NEW DATA: What Boutique Fitness Can Teach Yoga Studios About Retention

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.What if your biggest opportunity isn't getting more leads?What if it's helping more of the students you already have become consistent?I recently attended a boutique fitness webinar packed with data around member behaviour, retention, revenue and community. The examples weren't Community Yoga Studios... but the lessons absolutely apply.In this episode, I translate the findings into practical ideas you can use right away in your own Community Yoga Studio.In this episode:• The 4 member segments every Community Yoga Studio has and how to identify them• Why the "Situationship" group makes up over 70% of members and may be your biggest growth opportunity• The surprising 5-visit milestone and why getting students to class quickly matters• Which members drive the biggest impact on revenue and retention• Why quarterly challenges can improve attendance long after they end• Practical ways to increase visit frequency and engagement• How leading studios are using loyalty, referrals, milestones and automations to grow smarter• Why human connection is still the secret ingredient behind every successful Community Yoga StudioThe Community Yoga Studios growing sustainably aren't just getting more leads.They're helping more people build routines, feel seen, and become part of the community.And the data gives us some pretty amazing clues on how to do exactly that.Grab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

May 22, 202629 min

Marketing Month: Stop Scrambling and Start Marketing Ahead

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.If your Yoga Studio marketing always feels last-minute, you are not alone.In this solo Marketing Month episode, Michael Jay breaks down why so many Yoga Studio owners feel like they are constantly scrambling to promote programs, manage the schedule, answer emails, lead the team, and keep the business moving.The issue usually is not a lack of ideas. Most studio owners have plenty of good ideas. The real problem is that those ideas are often sitting in the owner’s head, being launched too late, or getting buried under everything that feels urgent.This episode is a practical reset for Yoga Studio owners who want to feel more prepared, more organized, and more in control of their marketing.Michael shares simple steps to help you block real marketing time, delegate the tasks that are slowing you down, look at your energy as well as your schedule, create repeatable systems, and finally get your marketing projects out of your head and onto a project board.This is not about becoming a perfect marketing machine. It is about creating a better rhythm so your Yoga Studio can grow with more clarity, more consistency, and less owner overwhelm.In this episode:Michael talks about why last-minute marketing rarely works well, how to protect time for business-building work, why successful studio owners stop trying to do everything themselves, and how one simple checklist can make future launches feel so much easier.He also shares how success starts to look different when your systems, team, marketing, and community all start moving in the same direction.Grab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

May 11, 2026Episode 956 min

Marketing Month: Smarter Yoga Studio Marketing with Jennifer Kolbuc

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.Marketing Month continues on the Yoga Biz Champ podcast, and this week I’m joined by Jennifer Kolbuc from Mountaintop Consulting and MarketingClub.ca.Jennifer helps business owners create smarter, more strategic marketing without making it feel overwhelming. In this episode, we talk about what Yoga Studio owners need to be thinking about right now when it comes to social media, email marketing, lead generation, websites, paid ads, and showing up in a way that feels real.We also get into why niching down matters, why your email list is still one of your strongest marketing tools, and how Yoga Studio owners can stop trying to speak to everyone and start creating content that reaches the right people.This is a great episode for any Yoga Studio owner who knows they need more new students in the door, but wants their marketing to feel clearer, more human, and more connected to their community.In this episode, we cover:• Why Yoga Studio owners need to understand their audience before outsourcing their marketing• How niching down can actually help you grow faster• Why authentic, less polished social media is working right now• How to use stories and behind-the-scenes content to show your studio personality• Why email marketing still matters, especially for time-sensitive offers• How to use lead magnets and email opt-ins to build your listWhy high-performing organic content can become strong paid ads• How AI is changing website visibility and online marketingWhat Jennifer’s Marketing Club offers business owners looking for support and accountability“Your marketing gets easier when you stop trying to speak to everyone and start speaking to the right people.”Resources:Website: https://mountaintopconsulting.ca/ Marketing Club: https://www.marketingclub.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialwithjen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkolbuc/ Sign up for the marketing club 10 day free trial https://www.marketingclub.ca/freetrialFree Yoga Studio resources:yogabizchamp.comBook a free strategy call:yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

May 4, 2026Episode 855 min

Marketing Month: How Yoga Strong Turns Real Community Into Real Marketing

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.Marketing Month is here on the Yoga Biz Champ podcast, and I’m kicking it off with my client Samantha from Yoga Strong.Samantha is one of those Yoga Studio owners who really studies marketing, tests what works, and shows up in a way that feels real, confident, and connected to her community.In this episode, we talk about what is working for her right now, how she thinks about social media, why she studies marketers like Alex Hormozi, and how Yoga Studio owners can get better at creating content that brings new students in the door.This is a great episode for any Yoga Studio owner who knows they need to stop overthinking their marketing and start showing up with more clarity, consistency, and personality.In this episode, we cover:• How Samantha approaches social media for her Yoga Studio• Why studying strong marketers outside the yoga world can help• What makes content feel more real and less forced• How to create posts that speak to future students• Why consistency matters when building trust• How marketing can help people feel your community before they walk through the door“Your marketing should help people feel the energy of your Yoga Studio before they ever walk through the door.Resources:Learn more about Yoga Strong:https://www.yogastrongnc.comFollow Yoga Strong:https://www.instagram.com/yogastrongncFree Yoga Studio resources:https://www.yogabizchamp.comBook a free strategy call:https://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

March 30, 2026Episode 724 min

What I Learned at HFA That Every Yoga Studio Owner Needs to Hear

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.Things have changed for the Yoga Studio owner.After spending time at HFA, sitting in sessions, listening to operators, consultants, and studio owners from all over… one thing became very clear:What used to work… doesn’t work the same way anymore.In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening in the industry right now—and how it directly impacts your Yoga Studio, your growth, and your day-to-day experience as an owner.This isn’t theory.This is what’s happening on the ground.If your Yoga Studio feels harder than it used to… if you’re doing all the things but not seeing the same results… this episode is going to hit.We get into why competition has quietly changed the game for every Yoga Studio, why relying only on “being good” isn’t enough anymore, and how the studios that are growing are thinking differently about marketing, systems, and community.I also break down one of the simplest but most powerful shifts I heard at HFA—how to think about your marketing as both “fishing nets” and “fishing poles”—and why most Yoga Studios are missing half the equation.We talk about referrals (and why your Yoga Studio doesn’t actually have a referral problem), what’s really going wrong with lead follow-up inside studios, and how a lack of structure—not effort—is holding a lot of owners back.There’s also a real conversation here around team, burnout, and what role you need to play as the owner of your Yoga Studio right now.Because whether you like it or not… your presence still matters more than anything.And finally, we bring it back to what actually moves the needle:- Your team.- Your tech.- Your training.If one of those is off, your Yoga Studio feels it.This episode is about getting honest, getting clear, and tightening up what actually drives growth in your Yoga Studio—without overcomplicating it.If you’re building a community Yoga Studio, trying to grow one, or just trying to get things back under control… this one’s for you.Book a free strategy call with Michael:www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

March 9, 2026Episode 522 min

Overworked Yoga Studio Owner? Do This Before You Hire Anyone

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.Many community yoga studio owners reach a point where they feel like they are doing everything.Teaching classes.Answering emails.Posting on social media.Processing refunds.Updating schedules.Managing teachers.Running a community yoga studio requires wearing a lot of hats, especially in the early stages. But as the studio grows, the owner’s role needs to evolve too.In this solo episode, Michael Jay shares a simple exercise he uses with community yoga studio owners to help them understand exactly what work is happening inside their business before they hire help.The process starts by documenting every task happening inside the yoga studio for one full week. From there, those tasks are organized into categories like marketing, administration, operations, and community building.Once everything is visible, it becomes much easier to see what the owner should keep doing, what should be delegated, and what tasks could even be outsourced.For many community yoga studio owners, this exercise reveals the exact role the studio needs next — whether that’s an assistant manager, an operations administrator, or project-based support.When the right people are handling the right work, the owner can focus on leadership, marketing, and strengthening the community inside the yoga studio.If you’re feeling stretched running your community yoga studio, this episode offers a simple framework to bring clarity, build support, and move the business forward.⸻In This EpisodeHow to document everything happening inside your community yoga studio in just one weekWhy most yoga studio owners underestimate how many operational tasks they are actually doingHow to organize studio work into clear business bucketsHow to decide what the community yoga studio owner should keep doingHow to turn your task list into a real job descriptionWhen outsourcing small projects makes more sense than hiringWhy every role in a community yoga studio should help move the business forward⸻“Most community yoga studio owners don’t need to work harder. They need clarity on what work actually belongs to them.” - Michael Jay⸻Book a free strategy call with Michaelhttps://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

February 23, 2026Episode 443 min

Buying & Selling a Yoga Studio in 2026 - with Mitch MgGinley

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.What is a community Yoga Studio actually worth in 2026?In this episode, I sit down again with Mitch to break down what’s really happening in the buying and selling market right now — no fluff, no myths.We talk valuation, clean accounting, leadership structure, the impact of ClassPass, and why community-driven studios continue to hold strong resale value when they’re built properly.If you own a community Yoga Studio and assume selling is too hard or not possible, this episode will challenge that thinking.In This Episode:• Why community Yoga Studios often outperform trend-based concepts in resale• The biggest mistakes that quietly kill deals• Why owner-dependency lowers valuation• How retention directly impacts what your studio is worth• When to start planning your exit — even if you’re not selling anytime soonA Quote from Mitch:“Wrap your business in a pretty bow — clean books, strong systems, real leadership — and you create options.”Connect with Mitch:BOOK VIA MY DIRECT LINK TO MITCH: https://yogabizchamp.link/bfbWebsite https://boutiquefitnessbroker.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitch_mcginley/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmcginley/If you want help strengthening your community Yoga Studio — or preparing it for an eventual exit — book a free strategy call at: https://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

February 9, 2026Episode 344 min

The First 90 Days of a Yoga Student: Where Retention Really Begins

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.“Retention doesn’t begin at six months. Retention begins in the first three weeks of a student’s journey, and it’s built quietly, class by class, in the first 90 days.”It begins the moment a new student walks into your community Yoga Studio for the first time.In this episode, Michael Jay breaks down what’s really happening during the first 90 days of a student’s journey—and why this period quietly determines whether someone becomes part of your studio’s community or drifts away before the habit forms.Drawing on real studio experience and industry insight, this episode explores the psychology of new students, the common points where studios unintentionally lose people, and the practical systems that help students stay consistent long enough to truly feel connected to a Yoga Studio community.You’ll also hear what typically happens between months three and six, why attendance patterns matter more than most owners realize, and how small, consistent actions inside a community Yoga Studio often matter more than big marketing campaigns.This episode is especially valuable for studio owners who want to build a strong, steady community Yoga Studio—one where students don’t just attend classes, but feel like they belong.In this episode, you’ll learn:* Why the first three weeks are the most fragile part of a student’s journey* What should be happening in the first 90 days to help habits form* How automation and follow-up messages can support students without feeling robotic* Why teachers and culture are the foundation of a strong community Yoga Studio* What happens between months three and six—and how to prevent the silent drop-off* Practical steps any Yoga Studio can implement immediately to improve retention and build communityResources & LinksBook a consultation with Michael Jay: https://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookFree resources for Yoga Studio owners: https://www.yogabizchamp.com/Grab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

January 26, 2026Episode 228 min

The Star Trek Moment: Why the Screen is Dead & How Your Studio Wins in 2026

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email."In 2026, Google is not a library. Google is a Concierge. And a Concierge doesn't send people to a ghost town."If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the endless "to-do" list of Instagram algorithms, SEO keywords, and content funnels—stop. The game is about to change entirely.In this deep-dive "thinking" episode, we explore the massive shift happening in 2026: the move from Screens to Ambient Computing. With Apple and Google partnering on a new AI-powered Siri, and rumors of camera-equipped AirPods and Jony Ive’s new "iPhone of AI," the way students find your studio is shifting from "Search and Click" to "Look and Ask."We break down exactly what this "Star Trek Moment" means for your business, why "Perfection" is now a red flag on social media, and give you a specific 2026 Playbook to future-proof your studio today.In This Episode, You Will Learn:• The "Star Trek" Shift: Why we are moving from a "Library" economy (searching for answers) to a "Concierge" economy (asking for answers).• The Apple + Google Signal: What the historic partnership between these two giants means for your local SEO (and why Siri is about to get a PhD).• Hardware Rumors: The inside scoop on "Project B798" (AirPods with cameras) and the Ray-Ban Meta glasses—and how they will "read" your physical studio signage.• The "Ghost Town" Penalty: Why Google’s new AI hates static websites and how to prove to the algorithm that your business is alive.• The Anti-Aesthetic: Why Adam Mosseri (Head of Instagram) says "Shares" are the new "Likes," and why low-fidelity, messy video is crushing polished ads.• The "Audio Audit": A simple test to see if your website is ready for the Voice AI era.Resources & Links Mentionedhttps://www.businessconnect.apple.com – Claim your location on Apple Maps immediately.https://www.businesss.google.com – Where you need to post your "Weekly Photo Dump." Tool: Check your website Schema at https://www.Schema.orgFree Strategy Call with Michael https://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

January 12, 2026Episode 150 min

Burnout Is Not the Business Model: Building a Sustainable Yoga Studio Community

Text me what your #1 studio problem is right now for my research. Add your email.In this Season 6 kickoff episode, Michael sits down with Aurielle Vendemmia, founder of True Moon Yoga & Fitness, for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, thriving Yoga Studio community.Aurielle shares her 20-year journey from opening studios out of survival, to running five locations, to intentionally scaling back to one boutique Yoga Studio built around nervous system regulation, clear leadership, and deep community connection.This episode is for Yoga Studio owners who want to create a business that supports both their students and their own life — while building a loyal, committed community that actually sticks around.In This Episode, You’ll Learn• How Aurielle opened her first Yoga Studio without a business plan• Why running multiple studios led to burnout — and how she rebuilt with intention• How a serious accident reshaped her approach to movement and leadership• Why nervous system regulation matters for long-term community trust• How consistent class structure creates safety for students and teachers• What sustainable staffing and delegation really look like• How to use data instead of emotion to design a Yoga Studio schedule• Marketing strategies that attract the right students into your community• Why not being “for everyone” builds a stronger Yoga StudioQuote from the Episode“Burnout is not a badge of honor. If your business only works when you’re exhausted, it’s not actually working — it’s extracting from you.”About Aurielle VendemmiaAurielle Vendemmia is the founder of True Moon Yoga & Fitness, a boutique heated Yoga Studio that blends yoga, strength training, Pilates-inspired movement, and nervous-system-aware teaching.After opening her first studio in 2007 and eventually running five locations, she intentionally returned to one Yoga Studio so she could create a space rooted in consistency, boundaries, and long-term community sustainability for both students and teachers.Connect with AurielleWebsite: https://www.truemoonyoga.com Instagram: @emilyauriellevendemmiaResources for Yoga Studio Owners• Free Yoga Studio Business Plan• 2026 Yoga Studio Planning Calendar• On-Demand Webinar Recordings https://www.yogabizchamp.comFree Strategy Call with Michael https://www.yogabizchamp.com/bookGrab a spot in Michael's calendar for the GROW-A-STUDIO coaching package. New to OfferingTree? Save 50% off your first 3 months with Michael’s partner link: offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast — or get 20% off an annual plan with the summer sale: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrv630Already on OfferingTree? Upgrade to an annual Pro or Studio plan for 20% off: Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINKhttps://yogabizchamp.link/podlink