Yoga Studio Business Newsletter & Blog

Hey Al, Thank for your video tips. I am certified in children’s yoga. I have taught yoga in public and private schools for ten years. Primarily in grades early childhood through fifth grade. Also some private adult groups in their homes. I have been teaching Health and Fitness/Physical Education for thirteen years with successfully incorporating yoga to the delight of students, parents and administrators. I am 54 and would like to make a transition out of P.E. Teacher into entrepreneur. Hopefully with YOGA! My question for you is can I go into a Yoga Studio ownership or should work for someone like YogaWorks and get training? I see studios for sale on YogaFinder, but where do you get financing? What do you suggest? Its a passion- will I loose that passion if I am married to it as a owner or is it possible to balance a life also?

Jim

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So often, people ask me “Why isn’t my studio more successful?” Then they tell me how there’s another studio across town where the teachers aren’t nearly as good, but everyone is raving about the place. Or, they reminisce about how they’ve watched other people they went to school with who just weren’t that smart who have somehow created wildly successful businesses. Can you relate to this?

Well, it turns out that success in life isn’t terribly related to raw intellect or even to how much education you have. Sure, these things help, but they’re not the foundation to success. But here’s the good news. If you study successful people throughout history, there are a couple of characteristics that they almost all seem to share. By the way, when I say success, it can obviously be business or financial success, but it can also be making a huge difference in the world, being a great parent, having an outstanding relationship, etc.

Want to know what two things successful people do differently? watch this week’s video:

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Hello Al!
I am working on the Studio Owner’s Path to Success via cd and I have a question…

A bit of background. I am starting a yoga business that will be run from my home until I have enough clients to justify the expense of my own studio space. Many topics covered do not apply, but SO much of it does that I have really learned a lot!

Anyway, my question is regarding EFT’S/credit cards for unlimiteds… How do I set those up? is there software? I know there are services, the one recommended costs soooo much per transaction! What do you suggest?

Blessings,
Erin

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Thanks for joining me for my video newsletters. today, I’m going to focus on how you can use email to multiply the number of new students and returning students you get. The #2 source of new students for most studios is the internet. If you’re not using this as well as you could, you’ll letting business get away.

To get started, watch today’s video below:

By the way, using videos in my newsletter blog is a new thing, so let me know what you think.

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Often, teachers teach at a number of different studios.  This can be okay, but can also be problematic.  Here’s a typical email I get about this sort of thing.

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hi al,

How would you handle a teacher at your studio that works at multiple studios and promotes other studios/their classes at the other studios while at your studio?

thank you for your time

Kelley

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Kelley,

Thanks for writing.  It’s a hard situation to deal with.  Unfortunately, letting a teacher, any teacher – no matter how good she is – do this not only takes business away from you, but also sends the message to other teachers that this is okay.  Also, it tells students that it’s “normal” to studio-surf (we want students to feel like they belong to YOUR studio).

For example, students who might otherwise buy an unlimited pass from you, may opt for a class card instead so she can take classes elsewhere.  Multiply this by many students, and you may be losing a good deal of money.

For some background, it is VERY inappropriate for an employee or contractor of ANY business to refer “customers” to a competitor (unless your business is truly unable to fulfill the customer’s needs).  This is even more true if the teacher will personally benefit from the referral.  Many organizations will immediately fire someone who does this.  Don’t be persuaded that it’s “OK”.  It’s not.

Okay, how to deal with it…

Have a kind but clear talk with her.  Explain that it is against studio policy for teachers to promote their classes at other studios.  Usually this is enough.  If she challenges you, don’t take it personally, she may just feel defensive.  End the conversation assuming that she “gets it.”

If it comes up again, consider giving her one more warning.  If she persists, it may be time for her to move on.

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