In the months since, I’ve experienced both ups and downs. Fortunately, my business has
undergone enough “ups” that I am expanding the studio this month and adding Schwinn
Cycling to the class roster of IndoRow, Shockwave, Tabata Bootcamp, TRX, Bosu Bootcamp and
Kamagon HIIT.
So, for any individual thinking of opening a fitness studio,
I’ve listed some of the ups and downs to consider before
plunging into this business, based on my own
personal experiences.
THE DOWNS
Let’s get these out of the way
first, shall we?
Someone has to clean the
bathrooms, and if you’re just starting
out, odds are you can’t afford a custodial
staff. So, you may have to conquer this
necessary evil yourself. The same goes
for the floors, which need to be swept
or mopped on a daily basis (sometimes
even twice a day).
At least in the
beginning, this will likely become a
reality of your entrepreneurship. Good
thing there’s caffeine, right?
You have to pay them, and
depending on your situation, some
of those initial months could be a
definite struggle.
You will be dealing
with a multitude of different people
with different personalities
and attitudes, and it can be
challenging to adjust to
each. However, the true
mark of your leadership
will be to transform
this negative into a
positive.
Every time
they experience
progress toward
their goals, you get
to be a part of their
journey and successes.
It’s an amazing feeling and
invaluable.
Your
studio is a chance to build a
fitness family, a community where
students care for each other and
consider your place their fitness
“home.”
No more getting paid $20
for a group-fitness class while your bigbox gym earns 10 times that amount
from your hard work.
No more waiting on
corporate to fix the microphone in the
Group X room; YOU are corporate, and
you can make things happen quickly and
easily.
You get to set
the class offerings and schedules. This is
an opportunity to really build your brand
and give your students what they want.
Yes, I am repeating this
point. Your students really SHOULD be the
first and last things you think about when
considering opening a fitness studio. They
are ultimately what should motivate you
because, in the end, their journey makes all
the minor annoyances and stressors fade
away.
THE UPS