696: It Starts With You: The Self-Aware Leader's Edge

Y'all, when you're running a business, it's easy to get buried in the daily grind. But being head-down in all the details can mean working harder instead of leading smarter.  So join Alina Cooper to explore the value of self-awareness, emotional intelligence and accountability in Episode 696: It Starts With You: The Self-Aware Leader's Edge. Build emotional fluency: know your triggers and manage your feelings  Take ownership: ditch blame and model behavior you want your team to mirror Reflect regularly: acknowledge triggers, growth moments and leadership wins Invite feedback: ask for—and accept—honest input from your team  Set the emotional temperature: show up consistently with clarity and core values  When you lead yourself well, everything else follows. Your team performs better, your clients feel it and your brand becomes magnetic. Pause to look inward in Episode 696. 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/  

Amidst an unstable, unpredictable economy, it's critical that your studio has its books in order. Of course, proactive financial strategies are smart business practices in any economic season. Fortify your financial backbone with budgets, expense cutting, retention boosting and scenario planning with Coach Matt Hanton and me in Episode 695: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 3. Befriend your budget: identify fixed and flexible expenses; know your numbers Cut the fluff: find and drop any expenses that don't make—or save—money Optimize everything: tighten schedules and make your space work harder  Keep them coming: dedicate money and time to nurturing and retaining members Map out contingencies: plan and prep for best, worst and realistic outcomes  Plus, maintain cash flow and cash reserves, invest wisely and protect your profits. Episode 695 helps you master and monitor your numbers to keep your studio stable and strong. 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/  

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! If you've ever looked at your red-hot competitors and wondered about their secrets to success, we've got you. Spoiler: it's not money, tech…or magic.  Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Rachel Prairie break down the simple, smart moves that create momentum in Episode 694: What Other Studio Owners Are Doing That You Are Not.  Share the why: host regular team meetings to build communication and buy-in Sell with soul: train your team to connect naturally and ditch pressure tactics Treat them right: onboard well and share opportunities to maximize retention   Guard your time: block hours to think big picture, plan ahead and get out of the weeds Track and tweak: scrutinize your data, refine and experiment without fear You don't have to overhaul everything. Start by excelling in the basics: know your numbers, empower your team and lead with clarity rather than chaos. Episode 694 is your overview.. 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/ Top studios don't rely on luck, trends, or chaos—they rely on rhythm, clarity, and consistent follow-through. Start with five small shifts, put them into practice, and suddenly you're operating like the studios everyone else is trying to learn from.       💡 What Top Studio Owners Are Doing (That You Should Be!) Run purposeful meetings. Clear cadence, clear agenda, clear expectations. Share the why. Tie goals, numbers, and pushes to real context. Build a sales rhythm. Make sales everyday simple—not scary. Train everyone. Front desk, instructors, cleaners—everyone sells the experience. Anchor to your mission. Let your values shape your client journey. Protect your time. Block hours to work on the business, not just in it. Track everything. Leads, usage, cancellations—data drives decisions. Retain like it matters. Because it does. Keep the clients you worked so hard to earn. Delegate boldly. Onboard well, develop leaders, and get help before you burn out. Experiment smartly. Test, tweak, track, repeat—no trend hopping without strategy.     The Bottom Line   You don't need a massive overhaul to join them. Start with small shifts, tighten your processes, and build from there. Consistency compounds — and suddenly, you're the studio everyone else is asking, "How are they doing that?"

Good news: economic downturns don't have to mean disaster for your studio. In fact, with the right messaging and moves, you can turn uncertainty into opportunity. In Episode 693: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 2, Coach Matt Hanton and I tackle growth strategies that can position your studio to excel while everyone else is playing defense.  Reframe the message: emphasize value—fitness is an investment, not a luxury Tout value: compare your offer to pricier experiences like dinner and concerts Hit the 5 kinds of wealth: exercise feeds the mind, body, wallet, time and relationships Be greedy for growth: look for acquisition, talent and market share opportunities Diversify your stool: add new revenue legs, like retail or events, to steady your base Economic slumps don't have to mean shrinking ambitions. Trade fear for faith and take a proactive approach to come out ahead of the curve. Episode 693 lays out your roadmap. 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/  

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! If your studio has become your social life, creative outlet and full-time emotional ecosystem, you just might be barrelling toward burnout.  You're definitely not alone. In Episode 692: Is Your Social Life Your Studio?, Coach Caroline dives into practical ways to reclaim your energy, identity and joy outside of your business.   Spot the signs: honestly evaluate if your mood rides on client feedback or team drama Redraw boundaries: schedule non-studio hours—and protect them like gold Refill your tank: do something purely for joy and refreshment, not ROI Let go (a little): trust your team to manage, even if it's 80% of the way you'd do it Reconnect and revive: resurrect who you were before you opened your doors A thriving studio starts with a thriving owner. Investing in your life outside of your studio allows you to show up better and lead stronger in it. Get after this all-important effort in Episode 692. 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/  

Today's economic and geopolitical volatility can cause uncertainty even among the best business plans. Focus on what you can control in your studio to navigate these waves.  Join Business Coach Matt Hanton and me in this series for in-the-trenches insights on how to stay steady in the storm, starting with Episode 691: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 1.  Be the best: cultivate operational excellence in every experience Invest in impressions: train your front desk staff to provide 5-star touchpoints Slip into their world: connect beyond the studio thoughtfully, personally and digitally  Retain your A-team: develop and reward your superstars to maintain loyalty  Lead with heart: foster clarity and confidence for your team and members Keep in mind that even when the world wobbles, people still crave and prioritize health, well-being and belonging. Discover how your studio can nurture all three in Episode 691. 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/  

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! Clients who rave about you are marketing gold. When they bring in their friends or family members, they're already pre-sold and more likely to convert.  Turn your members into your best sales team with Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick in Episode 690: Everybody's Talking About You: Harnessing the Power of Referrals.  Simplify the ask: keep it easy, clear and one-step so referrals are no-brainers Reward everyone: make it a win-win so the referrer and the friend feel great Show it off: promote the referral program in studio, on socials and everywhere  Time it right: ask members for referrals during that post-class buzz Always incentivize: track, thank and recognize members—fast and personally  Pick a month, plan a campaign, brief your team and measure what happens. This may become your favorite marketing tool, with big potential. Capitalize on the opportunity with Episode 690.   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/  

People aren't coming to your studio for your Reformers, your music or your plush towels. They're craving memorable experiences and genuine connection to keep them coming back.  If your member experience is off, everything is off. Join Alina Cooper and me for Episode 689: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 3 to ensure you're exceeding expectations.  Adopt fresh eyes: inspect your studio, add new touches, make small changes   Interact intentionally: make eye contact, use names, recall personal details Practice small acts of kindness: delight members with thoughtful, low-cost gestures  Watch your words: regularly reassess and refine messaging to appeal to your ICA Sell strategically: start small, test, tweak, track and scale marketing that works   The studios that fail are those that stop trying. Make sure you're bringing fresh energy, heart and clarity to your business so it remains alive and compelling. Explore how in Episode 689.   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/  

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! When it comes to KPIs, studio owners typically fall into extremes. They either track everything and get overwhelmed—or nothing at all and are unaware of the true health of their business. In Episode 688: The KPI Blueprint: What Boutique Fitness Owners Actually Need to Track, Alina Cooper and Heather Garrick identify exactly which metrics are critical to watch.   Leverage leads: check how many, where they're from, conversion and time to purchase Check your pulse: study retention and churn rates as the heartbeat of your business Monitor the money: know your monthly recurring revenue, expenses and profit Know their worth: calculate your client's average lifetime value, which drives revenue Make it happen: schedule a weekly KPI hour to identify issues and monitor trends   When you keep eyes on the right data as a studio owner, you get valuable insights to make informed decisions. Unlock power and peace of mind in Episode 688.   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/

Every studio owner encounters rough waters along their journey. So expect it. Then recognize the difference between sinking and sailing often comes down to what you do next.  In Episode 687: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 2, Alina Cooper and I continue navigating the practical steps, tough choices and mindset shifts that can get you to calmer seas. Invite input: regularly ask for—and gratefully receive—honest feedback  Don't guess—assess: carefully analyze key metrics and every part of your business Stop the bleeding: stabilize cash flow by immediately pausing non-essential expenses  Score quick wins: target lapsed clients, run winback campaigns, encourage referrals Get your team on board: be transparent, invite ideas and share results    The vast majority of issues can be addressed to pivot within 90 days. Draft your turnaround plan, adopt a win-win attitude and take action with Episode 687.   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/