706: Beyond the Paycheck: How to Turn Hourly Staff into Engaged Team Members

Even though boutique studio clients are creatures of habit, stagnant class schedules can breed boredom over time. Done right, adding new formats sparks excitement and attendance.  It's a smart balance of discipline and evolution. Get guidance on trying new class formats strategically in Episode 715: How to Test New Class Formats Without Losing Money.  Lead with the ledger: tie new formats to a revenue goal or retention gap Guard the brand: ensure new formats align with your positioning and don't muddy it Pilot, not plunge: launch a minimum viable schedule with a defined trial window Protect payroll: incorporate into the existing schedule to avoid adding new expenses  Define success early: set utilization benchmarks and a clear exit plan upfront Testing new formats should boost enthusiasm and revenue with low risk. Lead with a business mind, not just emotions. Make your next schedule update a calculated win with Episode 715. 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/  

In today's competitive boutique fitness market, "good" simply isn't enough. If your brand isn't current and clearly differentiated, you may be invisible—or worse, interchangeable. Explore how to audit and refresh your brand to resonate today with Alina Cooper and Lisa Taylor in Episode 714:  Is Your Brand Outdated? Proven Ways to Stay Relevant in 2026. Audit the gap: compare your brand intent to actual client perception  Clarify your promise: sell the transformation and experience—then deliver Cultivate vibrancy: refresh your visuals, messaging, offers & tech stacks, Train touchpoints: ensure your team reinforces your promise & evolution Form a habit: embrace relevance as a mindset—not a one-time project Brand drift is subtle over time—but eventually costly. As your clients evolve, your business must adapt as well—without losing your foundation. Recalibrate strategically with Episode 714.  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, if you take your foot off the gas in March, your studio's likely to have a long, quiet summer. While you're still in the busiest quarter of the year, this should be a leverage month.  Focus on intentionality, exploration and creativity now. Join Lisa Taylor and me for your must-do list in Episode 713: What to Do in Your Boutique Studio Business in March.  Prep your pipeline: plan your 90-day marketing plan and start selling now  Audit your schedule: trim excess volume, protect variety and check summer staffing Reset retail: clear winter inventory and drive demand with open houses or upsells Refresh & reward: treat your team to something special after intense demands Tackle taxes: meet with your accountant for strategic tax and filing decisions March is about front-loading traffic and revenue, tightening operations and taking care of your team while you still have strong momentum. Get your game plan in Episode 713.  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/  

Building a sustainable brand is about creating something strong enough to outlast trends and survive copycats. It's doing the hard work, staying passionate and embracing who you are.  Get an inside look at what it really takes to create thriving global platforms, certifications and methods in Episode 712: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Tracey Mallett.* Invest in protection: trademark and defend your brand and messaging Lose your ego: ask for help and develop confidence through experience  Simplify to scale: create frameworks and roadmaps to maintain quality Pay it forward: mentor others to close the gap between certification and skills Separate yourself: ensure your business doesn't rely on your name so you can exit Decades into this, Tracey emphasizes leaning into your unique personality, power and grit to impact and empower others. Learn lessons from a legacy in Episode 712. Follow Tracey on Instagram at @traceymallett.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

What if the real competitive edge in boutique fitness isn't programming—it's positioning? In a crowded Pilates market, clarity of brand and conviction in your model may matter most.  See how Sean Bergara, founder of Sean Bergara Pilates, paved a distinct lane grounded in principles in Episode 711: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Sean Bergara.* Emphasize inclusivity: design programming and messaging for everybody Keep it simple: translate Pilates terminology into language gym-goers understand Move first: let clients experience the movements, then layer in the why & methodology Honor the foundation: stay rooted to the true Pilates method as you evolve Build from authenticity: design a model that reflects your background and beliefs It's about disruption and differentiation with discipline—and despite all the noise and criticism. Episode 711 shows what's possible when you look at things differently. Follow Sean on Instagram at @seanbergarapilates.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

What happens when you take something wildly popular—Pilates—and intentionally redesign it to attract even more people? Rapid growth, big revenue—and an entirely new format.  Grab real-life insights and inspo with Michael Ramsey, the co-founder and CEO of STRONG Pilates, in Episode 710: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Michael Ramsey.* Break the mold: fuse Pilates, strength and cardio for novelty and interest Broaden the appeal: market to men and athletes seeking performance Take on tech: use screens, feedback and AI to increase customer lifetime value  Always be striving: recast issues as opportunities; commit to continual improvement Choose wisely: carefully select sales-minded operators and passionate instructors  STRONG Pilates is a case study on impressively scaling a modern brand without losing clarity, quality or control. Episode 710 is a must-listen for ambitious studio owners. Follow Michael on Instagram at @ramslegit.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

Prosperous Pilates studios don't chase shortcuts or trends—they commit to excellence, education and evolution. Lasting success is built on depth, discipline and discernment. Explore what it takes to build a resilient business with Maria Leone, longtime owner of Bodyline Pilates, in Episode 709: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Maria Leone.*  Cultivate the craft: emphasize strong foundations and continual learning  Raise the bar: demand excellence and encourage creativity Filter the noise: use social media as inspiration—not as your training manual Lead with community: be true to yourself and build relationships  Reinvest in yourself: stay fresh and maintain your passion to prevent burnout Future-proof your studio by tapping into valuable wisdom from decades of experience in this behind-the-scenes, straight-shooting conversation in Episode 709. Follow Marie on Instagram at @bodylinela.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

As studios invest heavily in creating beautiful sanctuaries and upscale environments, what ultimately matters to flourish is clear purpose, real community and smart leadership.  Get a candid look at how that plays out with Khetanya Henderson, founder of KKRU, in Episode 708: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Khetanya Henderson.* Make a difference: build where you're needed most and can give back  Get creative with capital: tell everyone, leverage community and pop-ups  Design for experience: prioritize how clients feel over aesthetics every time Nurture relationships: support vulnerability, check in often, personalize outreach Win with mindset: keep reaching up, embody strength + joy, grow thoughtfully With creativity, energy and thinking outside the box, anything is possible. Dig deep, reframe obstacles as opportunities and look at the big picture. Inspiration awaits in Episode 708. Follow Khetanya on Instagram at @khetanya.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

Pilates studios may be proliferating globally, but many may not make it. Amidst fierce competition and growing homogenization, profitability is the exception, not the rule.  Join me and Andrea Speir, founder of Speir Pilates, for a frank chat about building a thriving business in Episode 707: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Andrea Speir.* Evolve to engage: increase accessibility for the modern client with smart programming Invest in your assets: train and mentor your team, offer opportunities & career paths Lock in culture: live by and protect your values, standards & community Break free: stop renting clients from aggregators and create ways to build true loyalty Practice patience: scale slowly and steady to maintain focus and traction  Success isn't luck—it's methodical. Talk to industry experts, network with business owners and ask someone to mentor you. Get real-world insights in Episode 707. And follow Andrea on Instagram at @andreaspeir.  *Recorded live at The Pilates Journal Expo. The Pilates Journal is the leading voice of the global Pilates industry. Subscribe free at www.pilatesjournal.com/subscribe.  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/  

Are you carrying the culture, energy and emotional weight of your studio by yourself? Many owners feel frustrated that hourly employees don't seem truly committed to the business.  Alina Cooper has you covered in Episode 706: Beyond the Paycheck: How to Turn Hourly Staff into Engaged Team Members, where she highlights five ways to get your team invested.  Promote purpose: show how work directly impacts clients and the business Recognize & reward: specifically acknowledge and celebrate great work   Invite accountability: give staff a voice, request feedback and act on input Let them level up: create micro-growth opportunities that build skills and confidence  Paint the big picture: share goals, wins and challenges to facilitate ownership It's not just about money. Fair play is the floor—not the ceiling—on motivation. Connecting and valuing staff moves them beyond just clocking in and out. Get intentional with Episode 706.  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/