Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving deep into the financial side of business with Danielle Hayden, founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping, taxes, or figuring out how much to pay yourself, this episode is for you!

Danielle is an expert in helping business owners understand their numbers, so they can make better financial decisions that support growth and sustainability. In this conversation, we break down some of the most essential financial strategies for entrepreneurs—like how to separate personal and business finances, when it makes sense to become an S-Corp, and why saving for taxes (before tax season hits!) is a non-negotiable.

Some of the key takeaways from the episode are…

• Get your finances in order. Learn why separating personal and business finances is a crucial first step in managing your money effectively.
• S-Corp advantages. Find out if electing S-Corp status is the right move for your business and what criteria you need to meet.
• Pay yourself like a CEO. Understanding reasonable compensation as an S-Corp owner is key to avoiding IRS scrutiny and ensuring financial stability.
• Prepare for tax season year-round. Danielle shares tips on tax-saving strategies, including setting aside money in a high-yield savings account.
• Know your financial benchmarks. Get insights into healthy financial ratios for payroll, facility costs, and profit margins to ensure your business stays on track.

If you’re ready to get serious about your business finances, Danielle has a free resource for you! Head over toKickstartAccountingInc.com/gift to download her Top 10 Deductions Worksheet and start keeping more of your hard-earned money.

And if you want to dive deeper into financial strategies, check out Danielle’s podcast, Business by the Books, where she covers these topics in even greater detail.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who could benefit! Let’s normalize financial confidence and take control of our numbers. 

Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today I had the pleasure of chatting with Lauren Peachie, a marketing strategist who helps small businesses shine. Lauren shared her inspiring journey from photography to mastering marketing strategy, emphasizing how crucial it is to align your visuals and messaging with your brand and target audience.

In our conversation, we explored the core elements of an effective marketing strategy—from understanding who your ideal client is, to choosing the right platforms and creating consistent messaging. Lauren broke down the three main types of marketing: attracting new clients, nurturing existing ones, and retaining current customers. We also delved into the practical side of marketing for small businesses, discussing realistic timelines, tracking meaningful engagement metrics, and distinguishing between mere leads and truly qualified ones.

Plus, we got into the role of AI tools in modern marketing. Lauren advises using these tools as a creative aid for brainstorming and analysis—but always with a human touch to verify the results.

Some of our key takeaways include...

• Align Your Marketing: Ensure that your website, social media, and email campaigns consistently reflect your brand, services, and target audience.
• Consistent Over Quick Fixes: Focus on steady, manageable marketing activities over time rather than searching for overnight solutions.
• Measure What Matters: Tracking engagement metrics is key to understanding your marketing’s effectiveness and knowing when to pivot.
• Strategic Use of AI: AI tools can be great for generating ideas and insights, but they should complement your expertise, not replace it.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to connect with Lauren Peachie on Instagram @laurenpeachie or check out her website at laurenpeachie.com. Thanks for tuning in to the Female EmpowerED Podcast—keep empowering yourself and your business, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today I’m thrilled to welcome our special guest, Courtney Moody, a digital marketing and Facebook and Google Ads expert who’s transformed her career by evolving from traditional to digital marketing. In this episode, Courtney breaks down the essentials of a smart, effective marketing strategy for boutique fitness and wellness businesses.

Our conversation covers the importance of understanding the different marketing channels - organic, earned, and paid - and how each plays a critical role in your overall strategy. Courtney dives into setting up powerful Facebook and Google ad campaigns, revealing her top tips for determining goals, targeting the right audience, and optimizing your campaigns. 

Ever wonder how to build a marketing strategy that truly connects with your audience? In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why starting with brand awareness and traffic-driving campaigns is essential before shifting your focus to conversion ads.
• How a deep understanding of your target audience’s intent and pain points can transform your messaging and offers.
• The critical role of a polished, consistent online presence - from your website to your social media—before launching paid ads.
• Which keyword research tools can spark fresh content and boost your campaign’s performance.
• The value of continuous testing and optimization, along with keeping up-to-date on platform changes and algorithm updates.

If you’re ready to refine your marketing strategy you can reach out to Courtney on Instagram @MoodMktg or check out her website at MoodM-E.com.

And if you’re looking for even more support, consider joining our FitBiz Foundations group, where you can tap into Courtney’s insights through community calls and exclusive resources.

Thank you for listening to this insightful episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave an honest review, and share this episode with fellow fitness and wellness entrepreneurs. Until next time - keep empowering yourself and your business!

On this week's episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down the various marketing channels—organic, paid, and earned—and shares her own journey with paid advertising. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode will help you navigate the often overwhelming world of marketing with practical, actionable insights.

Christa emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation before diving into paid marketing. She outlines essential prerequisites like product-market fit, clear service offerings, a well-defined target audience, and a strong website. From there, she explores a range of marketing strategies, from low-cost options like optimizing your Google Business profile and leveraging referrals, to investing in professional assets like website development and photography.

Christa also provides a hands-on example of ad strategy, walking listeners through key metrics like cost-per-click and cost-per-acquisition to ensure you’re getting a return on your investment.

Ever wondered how to make the most of organic, paid, and earned marketing channels? In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The essentials you need to have in place before investing in paid advertising.
• Budget-friendly marketing tactics you can implement right away.
• How to track and analyze key advertising metrics for the best ROI.
• The recommended marketing budget based on your business growth phase.

Take a moment to assess your current marketing strategy—are there gaps you could fill using today’s tips? Try optimizing your Google Business profile or boosting word-of-mouth marketing to see quick wins. If you’re considering paid advertising, make sure your business foundations are solid first. And don’t forget to tune in next week when Courtney Moody joins the show to dive deeper into effective ad strategies and metrics!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re talking all about website design and optimization for boutique fitness and wellness businesses. 

My special guest is Connie Holan from Pixelity Design, a web designer who specializes in the health and fitness space. In this conversation, we dive into common mistakes, must-have website elements, and how to make sure your site truly represents your brand and attracts the right clients.

Some of the key takeaways from this episode include…

• Why Your Website Matters: Discover how your online presence can serve as a powerful “shingle” for drawing in new clients and establishing credibility.
• Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Think your site is user-friendly? Tune in to hear the biggest mistakes that could be driving potential clients away.
• Must-Have Elements for Converting Visitors: From visuals to navigation, find out which components instantly show prospects you’re the right fit.
• The Role of SEO & Reviews: Uncover simple strategies to boost visibility and credibility, and why Google’s algorithms may be your secret weapon.
• Working with a Specialized Designer: Learn how tapping into industry expertise can save you time, ensure a polished brand image, and keep clients coming back.

Ready to elevate your online presence? Reach out to Connie at Pixelity Design (pixalitydesign.com) if you’re aiming for a top-tier boutique fitness website - she’s booking months in advance, so don’t wait to secure your spot. In the meantime, give your own site a quick review: check if the photos truly showcase your business, confirm that your messaging is crystal clear, and see if your navigation helps visitors easily find what they need. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and in today’s episode, we’re diving into a concept that can revolutionize your business: the “offer ladder” (also known as the “value ladder”). Whether you own a pelvic health physical therapy practice, run a Pilates studio, or operate another type of wellness business, having a strategic pricing structure that guides your customers from entry-level offers all the way up to premium services can unlock multiple revenue streams and sustainable growth.

Ever wonder why some businesses effortlessly guide customers from a free resource to a premium, high-ticket offer? That’s the magic of an offer ladder. In this episode, you’ll learn...

• How a multi-tiered pricing structure can grow with your clients and open up new revenue streams
• Why free content might be your best tool for attracting the right audience and building trust
• Real-world examples from pelvic health PT and Pilates studios—without giving away all the secrets
• Simple steps to guide clients along each rung of your ladder, from low-cost entry points to premium services

Join me as I share the do’s and don’ts, plus a behind-the-scenes look at my own offers. We’ll talk about how to keep clients moving up the ladder and why diversifying your price points is a game-changer for both your customers and your bottom line.

Download the Free Offer Ladder Guide

Head to www.christagurka.com/offer-ladder to get your copy. Simply enter your email and receive a step-by-step resource to help you design your own value ladder.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast. Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business—and don’t be afraid to design an offer ladder that takes your clients (and your revenue) to the next level!

Follow me @christagurka to ask questions, share feedback, or just say hello. I love hearing from you!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Today, we’re diving into the state of the boutique fitness industry and what to expect as we head into 2025. Whether you’re a physical therapy clinic owner, a Pilates studio owner, or just someone passionate about boutique fitness, you’ll want to hear how remote training, wearable tech, and even some unexpected fitness trends are shaping the future.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing key industry research and discussing how PT and Pilates studios can adapt to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market. Grab a pen and paper (or open your notes app!)—there’s a ton of valuable insight you won’t want to miss.

Some of the key trends for 2025 include…

• Remote Personal Training showed a 414% surge in interest since 2020.
• Demand for Credentialed Professionals
• Wearable Technology & Assessments
• Optimal Scheduling Insights
• … and more!

Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow PT and Pilates studio owners who want to keep their finger on the pulse of the industry. Until next time—keep empowering yourself and your business!

Interested in being a guest or sharing your success story? Reach out to me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving into a topic that could be costing you thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of dollars in missed revenue—an undertrained and underutilized team. I’m sharing real-life case studies from fitness and wellness businesses that have left more than $500,000 on the table simply because of team imbalances, low utilization, and lack of proper training.

If you’re ready to plug these revenue leaks and drive your business forward, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

1. Calculate True Available Hours
   • Take a hard look at your schedule: Who’s available, and when?
   • Analyze how clients are distributed across your team—are certain trainers or instructors overloaded while others have empty spots?
2. Review Your Booking System
   • Remove any barriers to scheduling. Make it easy for clients to book online or via an app.
   • Simplify the process so people can reserve time with minimal friction.
3. Assess Team Training and Development
   • Establish clear expectations, track performance, and provide ongoing education.
   • Ensure your team knows how to deliver the service clients expect—and hold them accountable for results.
4. Align Marketing with Team Utilization
   • Don’t just attract new clients—make sure you’re filling each instructor’s schedule effectively.
   • Work with your marketing team to promote all services, not just your star players.
5. Regularly Review Pricing and Compensation
   • Evaluate your membership options, class packages, and staff pay structure.
   • Optimizing these areas can add substantial revenue and keep your team motivated.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other fitness and wellness entrepreneurs. Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business!

Interested in being a guest or have questions? Reach out at [email protected]!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re talking all about how to transform your fitness or wellness business in 2025. Whether you’re looking for growth, sustainability, profitability, or simply better systems, this episode is for you!

I’ll be sharing why standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the secret to stepping out of the day-to-day grind and how creating even one SOP a month can revolutionize your efficiency and profitability. From stories of clients who grew their revenue significantly to the benefits of working with a business coach, we’re covering everything you need to know to get your business set up for success in the new year.

Some of the things I discussed are: 

• Set Clear Goals for 2025: Decide what you want to achieve—whether it’s growth, sustainability, profitability, or improving systems—and let those goals guide your strategy.
• Break Free from Being the Sole Operator: Creating SOPs and delegating tasks empowers your team to handle daily operations, so you can focus on the bigger picture.
• Systematize for Efficiency and Profitability: Having well-documented processes can reduce stress, increase cash flow, and boost overall profitability.
• Top 3 SOPs Every Fitness Business Needs: Opening/Closing Procedures, Client Experience, Time-Off Policies

Apply for My “Beyond the Movement” Inner Circle

Ready to systematize and scale your business? If you’re looking for hands-on guidance, accountability, and proven strategies, apply for my program to take your business to the next level.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with other fitness and wellness professionals who might benefit. Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business for a successful 2025!

Interested in being a guest or asking questions? Reach out at [email protected]!

Welcome back to another episode of Female emPOWERED! Today, I'm going to talk about pricing or how to price your services for your boutique fitness business or your cash-based physical therapy practice, as this can go through for any client-based business.

Pricing has nothing to do with what we all think, but a hundred percent reflection on what the customer thinks or what they feel is valuable to them. It is a great idea to sometimes get some feedback from your peers, but ultimately the people we should be asking are our customers and our clients.  There are different ways to ask and gather  information without specifically saying, 'how do you feel about my pricing?'

And so, for today's episode, I'm going to share with you the mistakes I see when it comes to pricing and what you can do to overcome those mistakes. So hopefully, today's podcast will give you a little bit of value when it comes to pricing your services.

Let's talk about...

• The transformation and value you can provide your customers
• How to determine your pricing based on your profit
• Why you shouldn't compete with your competitors about pricing
• How to overcome your mindset issues
• Understanding what your key differentiators are

Looking for advice and resources to help you market and grow your clinic or client based business? Visit my website or follow me on Instagram!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review for the show to help other female fitness and wellness professionals find our podcast!