What We Cover In This Episode:

• Cherise reveals how she got started in the industry and founded her own company [1:26]
• A look at Nick's entrepreneurial journey as a founder [2:25]
• What a founder story is and all the things that having one can do for your company [4:29]
• How you can leverage and utilize your own founder story to make those connections and build community [7:25]
• The way that having a founder story will develop trust and credibility, along with inspiration [7:40]
• What you can do if you feel like you do not have a founder story that you can share [13:39]

Quotes:

"That founder story is your personal journey, your experience of why you chose to open a gym. I think our industry is so unique because there are so many unique stories." [Cherise, 5:22]

"That founder story is often used as a way to connect with potential customers and build a sense of community and connection with them, and when it is done right, it is something pretty special." [Cherise, 6:10]

"I feel like that's the difference between the entrepreneur and the dreamer. The dreamer can think up 47 different business ideas and never do them out of fear. The entrepreneur lacks just a little bit of that fear." [Megan, 7:07]

"There has to be some kind of story that allows someone to trust you and feel like you could be a credible leader in this space, so your customers are drawn into that." [Cherise, 7:58]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• A look at the American College of Sports Medicine's top industry trends for 2023 [3:05]
• Where Ali sees people's attention turning to in terms of the goals they have with their fitness routines [6:05]
• How longevity will play an even bigger theme for people this new year [14:02]
• What modality was one of the most booked classes in 2022 [15:27]
• Our thoughts on how LA Fitness is moving more towards boutique fitness [16:19]

Quotes:

"The focus I still think has been people are more interested in building muscle, but the people that had muscle and have put on some fluff, as I love to call it, they're looking to shed that fluff again." [Ali, 6:05]

"I think people are starting to realize how [having] that much stress in their life is actually causing physical harm to them, and that exercise is a great way to build your physical health and relieve stress, but not for everybody and not all the time." [Ali, 11:21]

"I think breathing, sleeping and walking are all things you just do, but there's an optimal way to do all three of those." [Nick, 12:57]

"It seems to be that the grand overall main theme in the industry in 2023 is going to be longevity. So we're shifting a culture away from looking for quick fixes and short-term goals with unrealistic expectations." [Megan, 14:02]

"I think we're going to see a lot of people finding their home in the boutique [fitness] industry as we're coming out of the pandemic, places are opening up and people are becoming more accustomed to getting back out there in the world." [Megan, 15:53]

LINKS:

Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023 (ACSM)

Wellness Trends in 2023 Include How Fitness Makes People Feel (Club Industry)

LA Fitness Owner Fitness International Launches New Fitness Brand

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• The two big things to keep in mind logistically when filling in your branded app form [2:10]
• What you can do to set yourself up for success before opening up the form in the admin [4:32]
• A few tips to help if you are struggling with the process of filling out the form [5:52]
• Key branding considerations to keep in mind and a potential pitfall to watch for with the app icon file you use [6:18]
• Recent updates to our submission process with the App Store to be aware of and why it's being done now [10:05]

Quotes:

"As far as logistics go, you don't need to worry about anything for account creation with the app stores, and you just pay us 150 bucks [to do it]." [Nick, 2:39]

"We could get 7 branded apps through and the 8th one has a problem, so I would always plan to roll out your branded app on the first of the month, which means you have to then plan 30-plus days in advance to start the process." [Nick, 3:35]

"As Nick Dennis of fitDEGREE, I think I should be able to complete your branded app form for you, just by looking at your website." [Nick, 4:37]

"If you're opening up this form and you're struggling, maybe treat it like a branding workshop. Call in a friend or call in an expert to help you fill out that form, turn it around and use it on your website. It's time to revamp, because if you're struggling with filling out this form, your clients are probably struggling to understand who you are and what you do on your website." [Megan, 5:44]

"Take some time and take a few deep breaths, because branding is not easy, especially if you're just getting started. This is setting the tone for your business, so take it seriously, get it done right and hopefully you don't have to update this branded app too many times in the future." [Megan, 14:18]

LINKS:

Pixality Design (Connie) Website

Michael Jay's Website

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• What areas of your business can be compromised and what you should be protecting [1:27]
• A look at what happens if your business is compromised [3:13]
• Some of the ways can you protect your business in regards to the legal aspect of things [6:02]
• Tips and strategies for developing a strong brand [10:24]
• How you can begin to monitor for misuse [10:45]
• The role that employee training has in protecting your business identity[11:08]
• The way to approach reviewing and updating your brand identity [11:38]
• Why setting up Google Alerts is a good idea to help in protecting your business identity [12:48]

Quotes:

"Protecting your brand and business identity can help establish your business's uniqueness so other businesses do not try to replicate that." [Cherise, 2:09]

"First and foremost, I encourage all of the businesses I work with to have a lawyer from day one if possible, and if you're in business and have been in business for years and don't have a lawyer yet, go get one." [Cherise, 6:29]

"Whether you're just opening or it's something that you do maybe once a year when things are slow, just kind of survey the area and make sure that you're continuing to separate yourself [from your competition]." [Nick, 9:13]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• The story behind where the name fitDEGREE came from and whose idea it was [2:35]
• A three product rebrandings that we've been through at fitDEGREE and how we pivoted to a new direction each time [4:25]
• How Nick decides which branding experts to work with, and how they've helped move the company forward [11:49]
• The way we identified the ideal client for fitDEGREE when piecing together the business [17:17]
• What Nick would change about fitDEGREE's brand identity if he could go back in time [22:58]
• His best advice for anyone getting started in business right now [25:40]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• A look at the registration logistics in fitDEGREE that tie into a business's culture [2:10]
• The impact that the fee policies you implement can have on your culture [4:35]
• How the timelines for registration help your software align more with your culture [8:04]
• Why it's vital that you really get to know your client base inside and out [10:45]

Quotes:

"With our class group functionality you can split that up into AM and PM classes, even though they cost the same and the instructors get paid the same. The reason to split them up into AM and PM would be for the cancellation policy." [Nick, 3:53]

"We don't want unlimited members to take advantage of our business. I think most businesses are probably moving away from unlimited memberships, but if you do them you've got to keep those people in line." [Nick, 4:57]

"This is your culture, and part of this is being polite to the community. We're very community-oriented software; we think community grows your business and it would be rude from one community member to another community member to not let someone into that class." [Nick, 5:49]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

What We Cover In This Episode:

• How to approach setting and identifying your demographics as you work towards defining your ideal client [2:23]
• The realizations that breaking down the key components of your demographics or ideal client's profile can bring you as a studio owner [5:00]
• Why it's so important to identify your ideal client and what parts of your business can be majorly affected by this [5:53]
• A part of defining your ideal clients that a lot of people tend of overlook in this process [7:55]
• A few unique ways that the ideal client can come into play in your business [9:38]
• The next step to take after you have identified your ideal client that will really propel your business forward in terms of generating top-quality leads [11:19]

Quotes:

"This is such an important piece of your business. If we skip this step in identifying your ideal client profile, it can really impact the potential growth for your business because things are not going to be aligned." [Cherise, 4:07]

"Your ideal client profile should be used to structure your business. Your ideal client profile impacts everything, from your services and pricing, to your marketing and overall growth." [Cherise [6:07]

"Your ideal client's profile is going to guide your marketing efforts, help you target the right demographics, have the appropriate messaging to attract the right individuals, and then make sure you're being strategic with your budget." [Cherise, 6:58]

"Identifying your ideal client profile can help ensure that your brand values and missions are aligned with those of your clients." [Cherise, 7:33]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Why Nicole says that there is a dire need for business education in the industry [2:36]
• Some of the reasons that so many studio owners believe it is their marketing efforts that are lacking, and not their sales process [10:33]
• How recurring revenue is the single most beneficial tool in small business growth, and the parts of the sales process that will help you keep your clients [15:51]
• Nicole talks about why a front desk staff is a critical piece to any fitness business, plus a look at a process she uses called "Role Alignment" [27:34]
• The easiest sale in the world that happens to be a tremendous missed opportunity for so many yoga studio owners [30:59]

Quotes:

"I wanted to go into studio ownership differently than I had seen my previous bosses do because I wanted it to be my career; I didn't want it to be a little blip in my life." [Nicole, 5:07]

"Being an entrepreneur in any sort of way requires a certain level of belief in yourself, a certain amount of risk tolerance. I think that's something that we all need to possess, because you've got to have a thick skin and you've got to take the successes and the failures." [Nicole, 7:23]

"Trying to get more butts on mats or more bodies through the door, is in a lot of ways like lighting your money on fire. Most people think that they just need more volume. Sometimes that is true, [but] most of the time what they actually need is to keep the clients they have." [Nicole, 13:38]

"Sales are about relationships. People need to know, like and trust the people they're doing business within order to say 'yes' with their dollars." [Nicole, 21:01]

LINKS:

Nicole's Website & Instagram

Her Free Mini-Trainings

The Profitable Studio Community Facebook Group

Profit First & Fix This Next by Michael Michalowicz

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• The parts of the app that Nick considers core to a company's brand [2:50]
• What elements of the app you should consider updating on a regular basis [6:19]
• A few items that you don't have to refresh as frequently, but are still important to be aware of [9:18]
• Something to keep an eye on if you are a branded app [11:35]
• Things you can do to cleanup or tie up loose ends with your branding [14:35]

Quotes:

"We have a weird casing for fitDEGREE, where it's all lower case for 'fit' and all upper case for 'degree', so I really make sure that when I'm creating a new account for a new studio sign up, that I'm going to their website and following the branding of the casing." [Nick, 3:41]

"Who's actually on your staff? The fitness industry has a pretty decent rate of turnover, and that's bound to happen. Did you actually deactivate your team members? If they are in a ton of your imagery, whether it be your class imagery, your offers, or anything you have out there in the Universe, are you ok with them still existing there?" [Megan, 8:04]

"That's when I would look at the logo. It's really tough when you make a change in your logo and now you have to remember everywhere that logo is." [Nick, 9:18]

LINKS:

Om Mushroom Coffee Latte Blend

FORM {yoga}

Pixality Design

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Some creative methods to help you get in the right headspace to create your business identity [1:51]
• Free and paid resources you can use in this process and to get creative with your business identity [5:47]
• How to approach workshopping your brand and relaunching it to your community successfully [8:30]

Quotes:

"Using prompts or questions to stimulate your thinking can be really helpful to get to that next step after a brain dump." [Cherise, 2:44]

"I don't think we can underestimate the value of mentorship. This could look very different, but I think sometimes people are just nervous to ask." [Cherise, 5:48]

"If you're starting a new business and you're in the branding and business identity process, you really do want some kind of expert or someone who has opened a business before [to help you], because you want to start the business off on the right foot." [Cherise, 7:34]

"If your business is doing a complete rebrand which targets a different demographic, then it is super important that you start your rebrand exercises from the very beginning, to ensure that everything aligns." [Cherise, 9:09]

LINKS:

ChatGPT

Fiverr & Upwork

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q