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!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered Podcast! If you’ve been wondering how to fund your business growth without dipping into your savings, this episode is for you. Today, we’re exploring creative funding options that can help you invest in your business without putting your personal finances at risk.

From small business loans and lines of credit to grants, strategic partnerships, and crowdfunding, I’ll walk you through the best ways to secure funding while maintaining financial stability. Knowing your financing options is key to sustainable growth, whether you're looking to purchase equipment, expand operations, or invest in marketing.

Key takeaways from this episode include…

• Shift your mindset about debt. Instead of fearing debt, consider it a way to keep cash on hand while strategically managing repayment.
• Explore funding options like SBA loans, business lines of credit, and revenue-based financing to cover expansion costs.
• To secure non-repayable funding, look into grant opportunities, especially those designed for women entrepreneurs.
• Leverage partnerships and sponsorships to reduce expenses and secure additional resources.
• Use no-interest credit cards strategically to finance short-term expenses and pay them off within the promotional period.

If you're ready to explore funding options, here are a few places to start:

• Apply for the Amber Grant at AmberGrant.com, which offers $1,000 monthly grants for women entrepreneurs.
• Explore the Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant at EileenFisher.com for opportunities to secure funding.
• Check out the Cartier Women's Initiative Award at CartierWomensInitiative.com for high-impact funding options.
• Research the Dream Big Awards from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at uschamber.com/dream-big-awards.

Growing your business doesn’t have to mean depleting your personal savings. By exploring these funding strategies, you can invest in your growth while keeping your finances intact. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other business owners who could benefit from these insights!

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re tackling one of the most critical aspects of running a profitable boutique fitness or wellness business—pricing, pay rates, and expenses. If you've ever wondered how to structure your pricing for long-term financial health, this episode is for you.

We’ll break down industry statistics on average revenue and profit margins, and I’ll walk you through how to calculate your break-even point so you can confidently price your services. I’ll also share real-world examples of how aligning pricing with pay rates and expenses can ensure a sustainable, thriving business. Plus, I’ll discuss why working with industry-experienced coaches can be a game-changer when it comes to financial strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Pricing isn’t just about competitors. Setting rates based solely on what others charge can lead to unsustainable margins.
• Know your break-even point. Understanding your minimum revenue requirement helps you price for profit, not just survival.
• A 15% profit margin is the goal. This ensures financial health and allows you to reinvest in growth.
• Align your pricing, pay rates, and expenses. Every dollar matters—ensuring balance between these factors is key to profitability.
• Expert guidance can make all the difference. An experienced coach in the boutique fitness and wellness industry can help fine-tune your numbers for success.

If you want to take control of your pricing and pay structure download the "Healthy Percentages" guide at www.christagurka.com/healthypercentage to assess where your business stands.

By understanding and optimizing your financials, you’ll be in a position to run a profitable, sustainable business that supports both your team and your growth. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow business owner who needs this insight. 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 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!