I'm closing the season by discussing websites on the final episode of season two of the Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast. This is my favorite topic (of course!), and I wanted to ensure you all know how to work with my web design agency Pixality Design and me.

For this episode, I'm welcoming Pixality Design's project manager, Liz Strong, to the show!

Liz has worked for me for over six years and is the one who keeps all the admin things and file organization running smoothly so I can focus on client projects. She's the absolute best and is a big reason Pixality continues to operate as well as it does.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on how I work with clients:

• How Connie got into working in the boutique fitness industry.

• How does Pixality work with clients?

• What are your most popular services?

  • Fast Fit: 10 pages, 2 weeks

  • Fresh Fit: phased launch for new studios

  • Why I like Squarespace for studio owners

• What is it like for a studio owner to work with Pixality?

  • What does the journey look like from the initial inquiry to the finished project?

• What are some of the most common challenges studio owners face when creating a new website? How do you help them overcome those challenges?

• What other things can Pixality do to help studios outside the core website design services?

• What's something clients might not realize about the amount of work or thought that goes into creating their website?

• Why should someone work with Pixality over other web designers?

Connect with Pixality Design

https://pixalitydesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/pixalitydesign/

On this episode of the Boutique Fitness Marketing show, we're talking about email marketing trends for studios in 2025—what's in and out— and how studio owners can use email and texting to better connect with their clients and grow their businesses.

Today's guest is Catalina Zbar, founder of Telomere Consulting, a marketing agency and business consultancy that's helped hundreds of boutique studios—from yoga to HIIT to sauna studios—grow and thrive.

We chat about the strategies that are working now, tools to simplify your marketing efforts, and even a few trends on the horizon that every studio owner should keep an eye on.

You're in the right place if you have a hunch that you could tap into more with email and texting.

A little bit about Catalina:

Catalina's unique background spans financial services, boutique fitness, and marketing strategy, giving her an unmatched perspective on what it takes to succeed in this industry.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on email marketing trends:

• How Catalina found herself working with fitness studio owners

• What are the most prominent trends she's seeing in email marketing for boutique fitness studios in 2025?

• What tactics are "out"?

• Are any specific subject lines or types of content (e.g., promotions, success stories, studio updates) performing particularly well?

• How are studios using texting along with email?

• What are some of her favorite tech tools that help make this happen?

• What does Catalina think boutique fitness studio owners are not doing enough with their email marketing?

• What trends in the broader fitness and wellness industry should studio owners keep an eye on for their marketing in the next one to three years?

• What's a straightforward tactic a studio could implement today to see a quick win with their email campaigns?

Connect with Catalina

Telomereconsulting.com

instagram.com/telomereconsulting

On this episode of The Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast, we're diving into what's trending in the studio scheduling software space, the decision-making process and how to make a smooth transition when it's time for a change.

Today's guest is Nick Hale, CEO and co-founder of fitDEGREE, a scheduling platform designed for class-based fitness businesses.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by choosing the right studio scheduling software – which I think every studio owner can relate to – this episode is for you.

As the CEO and co-founder of fitDEGREE, Nick leads a platform that simplifies scheduling and payments for class-based fitness businesses. His day-to-day focus is on making customer interactions seamless and stress-free, ensuring that fitDEGREE is the easiest part of a client's day. In addition to optimizing the customer experience, Nick oversees the company's financial operations, always working to keep the business running smoothly in the background.

• How did Nick end up in the fitness industry, specifically the software side of it?

• What trends is Nick seeing in scheduling software for fitness studios?

• Are there features or innovations that are becoming must-haves?

• How can studio owners assess whether their current software is still the right fit or if it's time to make a change?

• When evaluating scheduling software, what key factors should studio owners consider to ensure it aligns with their business goals?

• Regarding functionality, are there any specific features Nick believes every scheduling software should have for class-based fitness businesses?

• What common mistakes do studio owners make when selecting scheduling software, and how can they avoid them?

• What are Nick's top tips for ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition for studio owners switching to a new platform?

• Since Nick owns scheduling software, what's the status of the FTC's Negative Option Rule?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_fitdegree Email: [email protected]

• FTC's Click to Cancel FTC's Click to Cancel

Great marketing doesn't always come from branding, social media or SEO—it starts with how you treat your customers.

In this episode, we're diving into why customer support is an excellent marketing strategy you might be overlooking and how you can use it to build loyalty, boost retention, and attract more members to your studio.

Our guests are Chris Stevenson and Marisa Hoff, owners of The Empower Group. Together, Chris and Marisa own and operate an award-winning health club, and they help others do the same.

A little bit about Chris and Marisa: Chris Stevenson, a former Power Ranger stuntman, and Marisa Hoff, an elementary school teacher, both found their calling in the health and wellness industry over two decades ago. Together, they owned and operated an award-winning health club that thrived on an unparalleled member experience driven by proper staffing, systematic operations, and world-class leadership. Since 2014, Chris and Marisa have been empowering small businesses, parks and recreation organizations, and audiences with the firsthand insights they gained.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on customer experience competitive edge:

• Chris and Maria's background running a health club.

• What was the 'aha' moment when they realized member experience was the foundation of their club's success?

• How can studio owners create a culture of care that their team genuinely embraces?

• What are some key components of a system supporting excellent customer service?

• What's a common mistake they see studios making regarding customer care, and how can they fix it?

• What simple but effective ways can studio owners elevate customer support today?

• What's one piece of advice you'd give to studio owners who want to turn their clients into their biggest brand advocates?

www.tegfirm.com linkedin.com/company/theempowergroup @the_empower_group

Other resources mentioned in this episode

VideoAsk - tool to guide clients through creating video reviews

In this episode of the Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast, we're diving into how to support your studio manager and set them—and your business—up for success.

Our guest is the incredible Staci Alden, a consultant and strategic planner dedicated to helping fitness managers and studio operators elevate their teams, programs, and systems.

If you're ready to empower your studio manager, boost your team's communication, and make your studio run like a dream, you're in for a treat.

A little bit about Staci:

Staci brings a wealth of experience to everything she does and has worked with everyone, from large luxury health clubs to small boutique studios. She's designed world-class studios on tight budgets, launched signature formats, and created turnkey solutions to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered in this episode on supporting your studio managers:

• What is Staci currently doing in the fitness industry?

• The most prominent challenges fitness studio managers face and how owners can better support them.

• What role do studio managers usually play in client marketing, sales and retention?

• Are they mainly focused on day-to-day operations, or do they have a significant role in those marketing and sales processes?

• What are some best practices for ensuring the owner, welcome desk team and instructors stay aligned with current marketing campaigns?

• What are the most common weaknesses Staci sees with schedules and programming?

• What suggestions does Staci have to improve these weaknesses?

• What advice would Staci give to owners who want to empower their managers to take more ownership of the studio's success?

• What gets overlooked most often when it comes to the manager-owner relationship?

Website/Newsletter: https://www.stacialden.com/ Schedule a FREE Fitness Program Strategy Meeting: https://calendly.com/alden-staci/30min LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-alden-ab2ab535/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacialdengf/

On this episode of The Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast, we're talking about something every small business owner can relate to: marketing on a budget and how to make every dollar count.

Our guest is Christa Gurka, founder and CEO of Pilates in the Grove in Miami, a multi-location boutique studio that combines Pilates and physical therapy.

If you've ever felt like you're throwing money at random tactics and hoping something sticks or are trying to decide what to spend your limited marketing budget on, this episode is for you.

A little bit about Christa:

With over 30 years of experience in wellness and fitness, Christa has mastered the art of building a cohesive, budget-friendly marketing strategy that drives results. Beyond running her business, Christa mentors women entrepreneurs in boutique fitness and healthcare through her Beyond the Movement programs, helping them create sustainable, profitable businesses.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on marketing on a budget:

• How has Christa's approach to marketing evolved over the years, especially when budgets were tight?

• What are a cohesive marketing plan's key elements, especially for businesses with a limited budget?

• How do you determine which marketing channels are the most valuable for boutique studios?

• Are there any "must-haves" for small businesses?

• What are some creative, low-cost ways she's marketed Pilates in the Grove that had a significant impact?

• Are there any budget-friendly tools or systems Christa recommends?

• What's the biggest mistake she sees small businesses make when trying to market on a shoestring budget?

• What would Christa recommend if someone could only do one thing to improve her marketing today?

Connect with Christa

www.christagurka.com

https://www.instagram.com/christagurka

In this episode, we're diving into marketing personal training including lead generation, pricing, and sales for personal trainers, specifically those running appointment-based fitness businesses.

I'm sitting down with Lawrence Neal, founder of High-Intensity Business and host of the High-Intensity Business Podcast.

If you're a trainer struggling to attract the right clients and ready to level up your personal training business, this episode is for you!

A little bit about Lawrence: Lawrence has helped hundreds of HIT—that's HIT with one I (High-Intensity Training)— business owners make more money through strategic marketing, pricing, and sales tactics. With over a decade of experience, including co-founding a successful personal training studio, Lawrence knows precisely what it takes to thrive in an appointment-based model.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on marketing personal training:

• What is HIT training?

• Based on his experience in appointment-based businesses, what lead-generation strategies have worked best for attracting high-quality personal training clients?

• What sales strategies does Lawrence recommend for converting leads into paying clients?

• How can trainers overcome objections like cost or commitment?

• How does he recommend personal trainers package their services?

• Memberships? Session packages? Intro offers?

• What are Lawrence's thoughts about pricing transparency?

• What, if any, pricing should trainers list on their websites?

• How can personal trainers nurture leads?

• What tools or systems does he recommend to keep leads engaged until they're ready to buy?

• What's the biggest mistake Lawrence sees trainers make regarding lead generation or sales, and how can they avoid it?

High Intensity Business: https://highintensitybusiness.com/

In this episode of The Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast, we're diving into a topic every studio owner should have on their radar: building a studio that sells.

For this episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by two incredible friends and experts from Boutique Fitness Broker who specialize in helping fitness studio owners navigate the selling process.

During our discussion, we get into what makes a studio attractive to buyers, the marketing strategies that can boost your studio's value, and the biggest mistakes to avoid when preparing to sell.

If you've ever wondered how to position your studio for a future sale, this conversation is for you.

Mitch McGinley is the Founder and President of Boutique Fitness Broker and an all-around great guy. Mitch brings years of experience in hospitality and boutique studio ownership. He's been in your shoes—he bought and sold his yoga studio and now helps others prepare their businesses for sale.

Kristin Abel is the Vice President at Boutique Fitness Broker, a CPA, former studio owner, and self-proclaimed math nerd. Kristin has spent years coaching boutique fitness owners on creating systems for success and is passionate about helping studios thrive.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on building a studio that sells:

• What Mitch and Kristin do at Boutique Fitness Broker and what led them to help boutique fitness owners buy and sell studios.

• Is selling your studio an option for everyone?

• As former studio owners, was it always in your goals to build a business you could sell, or was that something that arose as an opportunity later on?

• What essential things must a studio have if they want to sell?

• What do buyers care about, and what don't they care about?

• Do they typically see studios sell to individuals, other fitness businesses, or investment groups?

• Are there different modalities that are easier to sell? Is this something that changes rapidly, or are there general trends you see that hold over time?

• Are there specific marketing metrics that buyers look for?

• Should studio owners market their business differently if they know they want to sell in a few years? Are any of the following things buyers look at?

• Lead generation systems

• Brand recognition and curb appeal?

• Booking system efficiencies / SOPs

• Online presence: quality of online reviews / SEO

• What are some of the most successful studio sales they've been involved in?

• What made them stand out?

Connect with Boutique Fitness Broker: https://boutiquefitnessbroker.com/

Retreats are more than just a fun getaway—they're an opportunity to deepen your community connections, create unforgettable experiences, and give your revenue a significant boost. But making them profitable and filling those spots? That's where things get tricky.

To help us unpack it all, I'm thrilled to welcome back a very special guest: Jennifer Pahl!

Jen is a Certified mindbody Business Consultant, yoga studio owner, and retreat expert with over a decade of experience in boutique fitness. Since opening Twist Yoga in 2013, Jen has hosted retreats in stunning destinations and knows firsthand what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to running and marketing these transformative experiences.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jen's journey with retreats, including where she's taken her groups and her approach to planning.
• The truth about retreat profitability—can they really be a significant revenue driver?
• Proven marketing strategies for retreats, including how to craft messaging that resonates with your audience.
• Insights into what retreat-goers are looking for these days, like self-care, connection, and adventure.
• Practical tips for studio owners dreaming of running retreats or wanting to maximize the ones they already offer.

Whether you're new to the idea of retreats or you've already hosted a few, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and insider knowledge to help you make your next retreat a success.

Connect with Jen:

https://www.jcpahlconsulting.com

Retreats hosted by Twist Yoga: https://www.twist-yoga.com/retreats

Are you wondering how to create a fitness brand design that visually brings out your business's best, most authentic side? Meet Olivia August, brand designer for team Pixality and designer at Bold August Design Studio.

A little bit about Olivia:

Olivia has been my branding go-to for over five years now. She designed the branding for my business, Pixality Design, and many of Pixality's clients. Not only do I admire the creativity and quality of Olivia's designs, but one of the things I appreciate most about working with her is her approach to branding beyond just a logo. She helps business owners create and implement true visual brand systems that are practical for ongoing marketing needs.

Here's a quick rundown of what we covered:

• What is branding and brand identity?

• What makes a good logo for a fitness studio? And what should you avoid?

• Besides a logo, what other elements does Olivia think are essential to having a practical brand set that helps a studio look cohesive across various platforms?

• Once a studio owner invests in branding, it has logo variations, colors, fonts, and maybe some patterns, icons, or textures. What's next?

• How often should someone reassess their visual brand, and how do you know what it needs to stay current?

Links:

Add on Branding to any Pixality Web Design Project. Learn more: https://pixalitydesign.com/web-design

Olivia's website: https://boldaugust.com/

Bold August Design on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bold.august.design