In this week’s episode of Female Empowered, host Christa Gurka is sharing a story she's never told publicly before - the story of the time she almost sold her business, Pilates in the Grove.

This is part one of a two-part series where she'll walk you through the emotional, strategic, and operational journey behind trying to sell the business she built from the ground up. From a modest $2,400 investment in 2008 to a multi-location, seven-figure business, Christa poured everything into building something that could eventually operate — and be sold — without her.

After being inspired by a panel of business brokers, Christa started prepping intentionally for a sale: systematizing operations, cleaning up financials, and evaluating business valuation. She even got to the point where she was under contract and this close to finalizing the sale. But at the very last moment, a surprise clause from the buyer’s lender brought everything to a screeching halt.

This episode is a candid look at what it takes to get a business ready for sale, what Christa learned from the due diligence process, and how she navigated the emotional fallout when the deal didn’t go through. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Christa grew Pilates in the Grove into a sale-ready business
• The operational and financial prep that goes into a potential sale
• Why having systems and SOPs is essential — even if you’re not planning to sell
• What it felt like to have a deal fall apart last-minute
• The mindset shifts and resilience I had to tap into after the fallout

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Female Empowered podcast so you don’t miss Part 2 next week, where Christa will share what happened after the deal fell through — and what she's doing differently now.

• Follow Christa on Instagram @ChristaGurka
• Check out past episodes and business resources at www.christagurka.com

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow business owner who’s thinking about selling — or simply trying to build a business that doesn’t depend on them every minute of the day.

In this episode of the Female Empowered podcast, host Christa Gurka breaks down the financial and operational differences between class packages and membership models for fitness and wellness businesses.

While class packages offer flexibility, they often lead to inconsistent cash flow, making it harder to forecast revenue and plan for growth. Christa shares research and real-world examples showing how transitioning to a membership model can improve revenue stability, client consistency, and long-term business sustainability.

She offers tactical insights on how to structure, price, and position memberships, and why repositioning class packages as a flexible, premium option can help meet client needs without sacrificing financial predictability. If you’ve ever felt like your revenue is a rollercoaster or you’re stuck planning month-to-month, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why memberships often lead to better cash flow than class packages
• How to structure and market a compelling membership offer
• Ways to encourage client consistency without relying on rigid contracts
• Why your business — and your clients — benefit from stable, predictable income
• How to position class packages as a flexible but premium option

Want help implementing this in your business?

Join my FitBiz Foundations Monthly Membership — just $99/month for access to 2 live coaching calls, strategic support, and actionable resources.

• Learn more at www.christagurka.com/fitbiz-foundations
•  Follow Christa on Instagram @christagurka

Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered podcast! In this week’s solo episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: membership models and how they can be a game-changer for fitness, wellness, and healthcare business owners.

Whether you run a Pilates studio, a physical therapy clinic, or any other service-based business, a well-designed membership model can provide more predictable revenue, improve client retention, and even increase the value of your business when it comes time to sell.

I share real-world examples from my own experience and those of my clients, breaking down how a recurring revenue model can reduce the pressure of constantly acquiring new clients and help you build a more sustainable, profitable business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why membership models work so well for fitness and wellness businesses
• How recurring revenue supports stability and growth
• What to consider when structuring your membership model
• Tips for reducing churn and increasing perceived value
• How a membership can help lower your client acquisition costs

Ready to explore how a membership model could work for your business? Join my FitBiz Foundations Monthly Community where we dive into strategies like this and help you implement them with clarity and support.

• Learn more or sign up at www.christagurka.com/fitbiz-foundations
•  Connect with me on Instagram @christagurka

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to leave a review or share it with a fellow business owner who could benefit.

In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka explores a common but often misunderstood challenge in the wellness and fitness business world: what happens when being “fully booked” starts working against you. 

If your calendar is packed, your energy is drained, and your business feels stuck, this episode is for you.

Christa breaks down the signs that indicate you’ve hit a business growth ceiling - including a maxed-out schedule, declining quality of service, and the inability to grow without your constant involvement. She shares actionable strategies for reclaiming your time and building a more sustainable business, including delegating, raising prices strategically, and creating a self-sufficient team that keeps your operations running smoothly. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own success, tune in for a practical roadmap to scale without burning out.

Some of the key takeaways from this episode include...

• Recognize the warning signs of hitting a growth ceiling: full calendar, declining service, burnout, and profit plateaus
• Delegate administrative and low-value tasks to free up your time
• Calculate the return on investment (ROI) of outsourcing versus doing everything yourself
• Consider pricing adjustments or creating premium service tiers to manage demand
• Focus on building and training a team that can operate effectively without your constant oversight

 Ready to break through your growth ceiling and build a business that doesn’t rely solely on you? Join the FitBiz Foundations Monthly Membership for $99/month to access tools, trainings, and templates to help you delegate, hire, and grow with more ease.

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.christagurka.com/fitbizfoundations
Connect with Christa on Instagram: @christagurka

In this episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast, host Christa Gurka tackles one of the more stressful realities of being a business owner — when a rockstar team member gives notice. Whether it’s an instructor, therapist, or front desk leader, losing someone who plays a vital role can feel like a major blow. But Christa reminds listeners that “everything is figureoutable” — and with the right mindset and strategy, staff turnover can actually be a growth opportunity, not just a setback.

Christa walks through how to handle resignations calmly and professionally, why communication is key for both your team and clients, and how to assess whether your internal systems are prepared for the change. She also shares her insights from years of running Pilates in the Grove, including the importance of building a strong brand, investing in training, and always having a recruitment pipeline in place. If you’re navigating staff turnover — or want to prepare in advance — this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Approach staff resignations with professionalism, not panic
• Use the situation to evaluate systems, roles, and responsibilities
• Strong company culture reduces dependency on individual personalities
• Invest in team training and growth to improve retention
• Always be recruiting — even when you’re fully staffed

Ready to dive deeper?

•  Learn more and access hiring tools in the FitBiz Foundations Membership at www.christagurka.com/fitbiz-foundations
•  DM Christa on Instagram @ChristaGurka to share how you’ve handled a team member leaving
•  Want support creating a team culture that keeps people invested? Join the membership for just $99/month and gain access to hiring trainings, leadership support, and more!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered Podcast! If you’re a fitness or wellness business owner who feels drained by workshops or events that don’t generate enough ROI, this episode is for you. I’m sharing strategic, workshop-free ways to attract high-quality leads and grow your client base — without burning yourself out in the process.

In this episode, we explore smart, sustainable alternatives to traditional workshops - like forming partnerships with complementary businesses, offering free assessments, leveraging client referrals, and reaching out to local healthcare providers. I also dive into how micro-content marketing and challenges can help you attract, engage, and convert your ideal clients with less time and energy.

Ever feel like workshops aren’t worth the effort? In this episode, you’ll learn…

• Why workshops might not be the best marketing tool for your business
• How to build referral pipelines through medical professionals and strategic partnerships
• What makes micro-content so powerful for lead generation
• How challenges and free assessments can convert warm leads
• Tips for creating a simple, repeatable client referral system

Resources + Links:

•  Download the free strategy guide: www.christagurka.com/noworkshops
•  Follow me on Instagram: @ChristaGurka

Your Next Steps:
→ Pick ONE strategy and commit to it for the next 90 days
→ DM me on Instagram to let me know which one you’re testing
→ Love the show? Leave a review so we can keep reaching more women in fitness and wellness

In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka sits down with Peter Pastijn, the former studio owner and current Director of Partnerships at Momence, an all-in-one scheduling and management software built specifically for fitness and wellness businesses. 

Peter shares how his experience as a studio owner shaped the development of Momence and how the platform empowers owners to optimize their operations, improve the client experience, and make smarter business decisions. From automated features like Spot Filler to AI-driven tools and a robust CRM, Momence offers an end-to-end solution to help studio owners grow sustainably without being bogged down by admin.

Key Takeaways:

• Momence is an all-in-one software solution for fitness and wellness studios.
• Spot Filler is an AI-powered tool that helps fill empty class spots automatically.
• The platform offers robust CRM and client communication capabilities.
• Understanding key business metrics is essential for long-term growth.
• AI and automation can dramatically reduce your admin workload.
• The Pro Partners Program offers additional business support and strategy.

Book a demo with Momence: https://hubs.la/Q039wXx20

In this week’s episode of Female Empowered, I’m joined by two amazing guests and fellow physical therapists turned business mentors - Dr. C. Shanté Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro, and Lex Lancaster. These two have successfully built their own thriving online brands after years in the clinic, and they’re sharing exactly what it takes to go from in-person to digital.

We dive into what the online business journey actually looks like for health and wellness professionals. Spoiler alert: it’s not a “post and pray” situation - it takes intentional messaging, tech resilience, and a strong grasp of who you’re serving. We also talk about the mindset shifts that are required and why starting small isn’t just okay - it’s smart.

Whether you’re just starting to think about going online or you’ve already dipped your toe in the digital space, this episode is full of practical tips and real talk.

Ever wonder if your brick-and-mortar business could translate online? In this episode, you’ll learn...

• Why you need to focus on effort over outcome
• How niching down helps you connect with the right people
• Why starting small and steady sets you up for long-term success
• What it really means to have "tech tenacity"
• How B2B offers often monetize faster online
• Why your in-person and online audiences aren’t the same—and how to speak to both

About Lecture Mine
Shanté and Lex also share details about their signature program, Lecture Mine, a 9-month mentorship for brick-and-mortar professionals ready to go digital. If you're tired of Googling your way through every step of this journey, this program offers support, clarity, and strategy—all tailored to wellness professionals just like you.

Connect with Our Guests
Lex Lancaster
Instagram: @lexlancaster
Website: lexlancaster.com

Shanté Cofield (The Movement Maestro)
Instagram: @movementmaestro

Loved this episode? Here’s what to do next:

•  Share this with a fellow health pro who’s ready to go online.
•  DM me on Instagram @christagurka to let me know your biggest takeaway.
•  Subscribe and leave a review so more women in fitness and wellness can find this podcast.

Thanks for tuning in - and remember, the first step is just showing up. Talk to you next week!

In this episode of Female emPOWERED, Christa Gurka sits down with Sandy Taylor, a Vice President Senior Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab, to discuss what small business owners really need to know about financial planning. From retirement accounts to investment strategies, Sandy breaks down complex concepts into clear, actionable advice.

They talk about how to start investing even if you don’t have a ton of cash, what retirement account is best for your situation, and the key roles that make up your financial support team. Whether you're just starting out or looking to build long-term wealth and freedom, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Points Discussed:
Ever wonder if you’re doing enough to plan for your financial future as a business owner? In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What types of retirement plans are available to small business owners (and how to choose the right one)
• Where to start with investing if you don’t have a huge cushion
• Why diversification and risk tolerance matter more than timing the market
• Who you really need on your financial team—and what each of those roles does
• The one question to always ask a financial advisor before hiring them

 If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, connect with a professional who can guide you. Visit schwab.com or stop into one of their 300+ locations nationwide to speak with a consultant. You can also call their 1-800 number to get started.

And remember - whether you’re investing $500 or $50,000, it’s never too early to start. Review your current financial accounts, ask smart questions, and start planning for the future you want.

Download the Financial Planning Checklist here!

 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review.

Want to connect with Christa or ask a question about today’s episode? Send her a DM over on Instagram @ChristaGurka, or visit www.christagurka.com for free resources, coaching options, and more.

Thanks for tuning in to Female emPOWERED - see you next week!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered Podcast! Today, we’re diving into something every small business owner faces—the mental battles, self-doubt, and challenges that come with running your own business.

In this episode, I’m opening up about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, how to take control of your narrative, and why being "in the arena" means embracing both high achievements and setbacks.

If you’ve ever felt criticism, comparison, or self-doubt creeping in, this conversation is for you. Let's talk about why vulnerability is a strength, how to celebrate your wins, and why the most successful entrepreneurs keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

Some of the key takeaways from this episode include...

• Embracing discomfort: it’s a non-negotiable part of business ownership.
• Take control of your own story instead of letting internal critics define your success.
• How vulnerability fuels growth: leaning into it helps you become a stronger, more creative leader.
• The importance of showing up and taking risks: progress happens when you stay in the game.

Loved this episode? Share it with another woman in business who needs to hear it!

Looking for a supportive community of women in the arena? Join my monthly membership group at ChristaGurka.com and connect with other ambitious entrepreneurs navigating the same challenges.

Let’s keep the conversation going—follow me on Instagram @ChristaGurka and DM me your biggest takeaway from today’s episode!