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Have you ever thought about opening a yoga studio — or wondered how to take your current studio to the next level? In this special episode, the tables are turned! Instead of hosting, I’m the one being interviewed. My friend Shannon Crow, host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, puts me in the hot seat and asks all the questions I usually get from yoga teachers and studio owners.

We talk about my own journey from yoga teacher to studio owner to consultant, and I share real-world advice on what it really takes to build a profitable, sustainable yoga business. You’ll hear why planning ahead matters, why ClassPass may not be your best friend, and strategies you can use right now to create financial stability and grow your community.

What you’ll hear in this episode:
• My journey from yoga teacher to yoga studio owner to consultant
• What teachers should consider before opening a studio
• Why a business mindset matters as much as your teaching skills
• How to create financial stability and sustainability
• Why I don’t recommend ClassPass for studios
• Marketing strategies that actually work in today’s yoga business

Links & Resources:
Connect with Shannon Crow → The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Book a free strategy call with me → yogabizchamp.com/book

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

If you're tired of second-guessing every Instagram post, wondering if your studio emails are working, or avoiding video altogether... this episode is about to unlock something big.

Michael Jay sits down with Vancouver-based teacher and marketing pro Hadis Kiani, who shares her decade-long journey as a class-building yoga teacher — and how her background in marketing shaped her success.

Together, they break down what modern yoga marketing actually looks like in 2025 — from brand consistency and storytelling, to human psychology and meeting your students where they’re at (yes, even the ones who hate social media). Hadis also shares practical advice for how studio owners can build community and credibility with confidence... and yes.. make use of ClassPass!

In this episode:

• The real role of marketing in a yoga business
• Why your intro pass might be your most powerful tool
• How branding consistency helps build trust
• Marketing psychology: how people actually make decisions
• What makes students come back again and again
• Studio marketing mistakes (and how to fix them fast)

Ready to finally market your studio with strategy, not guesswork?
Michael is now booking for his September Start a Studio and Grow a Studio coaching packages. Begin with a 30-minute free call.
👉 Book now at yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Connect with Hadis https://www.instagram.com/moovinstylewithhadis/

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

In this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, I sit down with Marianne Buchilo, the heart and hustle behind Peaceful Yoga in Malverne, NY. This is a grounded, inspiring conversation about what it really looks like to grow a yoga studio—especially when you're not a franchise, not a chain, but a local community-based space.

Marianne and I have been working together for two years, and in that time, her studio has seen over 60% growth. We talk through the wins, the mindset shifts, and the behind-the-scenes systems that helped make it happen.

We get into:
• How Marianne took over her teacher’s studio and made it her own

• What it took to clean up legacy systems (goodbye 3-day payroll!)

• Finding confidence as a leader, a marketer, and a studio owner

•Using automation + daily detective work to keep students engaged

• Getting scrappy with local partnerships (coffee shops, cinemas, community events)

• Why studio owners need support—and how coaching filled the gap

• Whether you’re thinking about hiring a coach or wondering if growth is even possible in a small town, Marianne’s story will meet you where you’re at.

Resources & Links:
▶ Learn more about Peaceful Yoga: https://peacefulyoga.net
▶ Book a free strategy call with me: 
https://www.yogabizchamp.com/book
▶ Free resources for studio owners www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink
▶ Watch full video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogabizchamp

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

In this special crossover episode, Michael Jay of Yoga Biz Champ and Tyler Valencia of the KIPS Podcast go deep into the real-world ways they’re using AI to run and grow their businesses. Whether you're a yoga studio owner or a solo fitness pro, this chat is packed with insight into how AI is streamlining marketing, improving communication, and helping business owners stay ahead—without losing their human touch.
This isn’t theory—it’s how we’re actually using AI every day for better emails, easier content, client retention strategies, and business clarity.

What We Cover:
* AI tools for smarter email, SEO, and marketing (ChatGPT, Grammarly, Gemini)
* Using transcripts + prompts to generate content, titles, and newsletters
* Studio-specific uses: retention issues, content bottlenecks, and automations
* CapCut, Adobe Podcast, Zoom AI, and other tools we personally use
* How to feed AI your tone, values, and brand identity (so it sounds like you)
* Why the human touch still matters—and when not to rely on AI

July 2025 Coaching Note:📅 September coaching spots are almost full! If you're a yoga teacher looking to open a studio, or a studio owner ready to finally grow with freedom, now’s the time to book your free intro call at www.yogabizchamp.com/book.

Mentioned Tools:
* ChatGPT (including custom GPTs)
* Grammarly & Zoom AI
* Google Gemini for business insights
* Otter.ai for podcasting
* Adobe Podcast for audio cleanup
* CapCut for reels + teleprompter
* Studio booking software like Walla & Mindbody with AI support features
* 
Connect with Tyler:
* Instagram: @tylervalencia_
* Fitness education & CECs: www.kipsonline.org
* 
Connect with Michael:
* @yogabizchamp on all platforms
* Free resources + coaching info: www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

Connie Holen from Pixality Design joins me for a jam-packed convo on what studio websites must do to convert in 2025. 

From overlooked homepage mistakes to decision fatigue, Canva blunders, and trust-building in the AI era — this episode gives you clarity on how to make your site not just pretty, but profitable.

What We Cover:
•  The #1 homepage mistake that’s killing your local SEO
•  Why your About page needs a glow-up (hint: it’s about trust)
•  How AI has shifted consumer expectations (and what to do about it)
•  Why you must stop using text-heavy Canva graphics on your site
•  What to include in your banner image to connect instantly
•  The new rule of “clarity beats cleverness”
•  How to test if your site is actually doing its job

“Clarity is for sale in 2025. People aren’t looking for more info — they’re looking for someone to cut through the noise.”

Links & Resources:
• Work with Connie: pixalitydesign.com/contact
• Listen to Connie’s podcast: The Boutique Fitness Marketing • Podcast https://pixalitydesign.com/podcast
• Connie’s Blog Resources https://pixalitydesign.com/pixality-blog

•   Download your free Yoga Studio Business Plan: www.yogabizchamp.link/podcast
 •  Book a free strategy call with Michael: www.yogabizchamp.link/podcast

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

“If your studio is draining the life out of you, it might be time to stop tweaking your schedule and start redesigning your business.”

This episode is a behind-the-scenes peek at what really happens inside coaching sessions with yoga studio owners. You’ll hear real, anonymized clips from my actual client calls — with raw, unfiltered insight on everything from team tension to reclaiming your energy as an owner.

Whether you’re brand new or feeling stuck in studio overwhelm, you’ll relate to these real-world convos.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
•  What to do when a new competitor opens up down the street
•  How to shift from hiring out of panic to building a strong, values-aligned team
•  Ways to rework your studio schedule to match your life (not the other way around)
•  A smart and simple win-back strategy using Meta ads
•  Why good old-fashioned marketing still works (QR codes, flyers & partnerships!)

WANT TO WORK TOGETHER?
Book a free strategy call at: https://www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink


SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:
If you loved this episode, let me know! Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps this show get into more ears and studios.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

Hey Champs, this episode is for the community studio owner who’s doing it all—and wondering how to stay on top of it. From calendar color-coding to project boards that actually get things done, I’m sharing my real-world strategy for getting out of overwhelm and into action. This is the system I use for myself and with my coaching clients, especially those juggling teaching, marketing, staffing, and still trying to have a life.

If you're juggling all the hats and feeling like you’re dropping more than a few, this one's for you.

In this episode, I share:

• Why your calendar is your lifeline (and how I color-code mine)
• What a studio owner's week should feel like—energy mapping 101
• My fave method for task management (Trello board setup included)
• The one phrase my business coach gave me that changed everything
• How I stay focused with time blocking, quiet headphones, and even stretch breaks
• Why “structure isn’t restrictive—it’s freeing”

Takeaway Quote:
"If it’s in your head, it’s on your board. That’s how we get sh*t done." – Michael Jay

Links Mentioned:
→ Free coaching call: https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink
→ Trello (free project management tool): https://trello.com

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

In this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, Michael Jay sits down with Tyler Valencia—fitness educator, tech-savvy marketer, and founder of KipsOnline.org—to talk about how yoga studio owners can master visibility in a digital-first world.

Tyler breaks down the most overlooked marketing strategies that are totally free, shockingly underused, and incredibly effective—like Google Reviews, Yelp listings, and smart SEO. This isn’t about being trendy—it’s about making sure your studio gets found by the people actively searching for what you offer.

Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, these are the tactics that boost your discoverability, build trust, and help students say YES before they ever walk through your doors.

In this practical episode, we talk about:

• Why reviews are more powerful than word-of-mouth ever was

• How to set up your Google Business Profile (and why you absolutely should)

• Easy automations that get your members to leave glowing reviews

• What platforms really matter—and which ones are fading fast

• How SEO connects all your efforts (including your social media)

• A smarter way to repurpose blog content, YouTube, and Reels

• The visibility mistake studio owners keep making with their online presence

• If you’ve ever thought “I’m bad at marketing”—this episode will show you where to start and how to fix it.

Connect with Tyler Valencia:
Website: https://kipsonline.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tylervalencia_/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TylerValenciaFitness
Podcast: KIPS Podcast

📞 Ready to launch or grow your yoga studio with clarity and confidence?

Book a free 30-minute strategy call with Michael Jay at yogabizchamp.com/podlink and get personalized support tailored to where you are now—and where you want to go.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

What does a former hobby project turned all-in-one studio platform have to teach us about the future of yoga studios?

In this episode, I chat with Eddie Arpin, co-founder of OfferingTree and a longtime partner of mine in supporting studio owners. We go beyond software to talk about what actually drives success for yoga studio owners today. From the rise of Zoom and automation to the hidden accountability gap in many studios, Eddie brings a grounded, real-world perspective that new and seasoned owners alike will benefit from.

This is a must-listen if you're planning to open a studio—or feel like you’re running one on fumes.

“The studios that thrive aren’t the ones with the perfect setup—they’re the ones with the clearest vision and consistent follow-through.” – Eddie Arpin

Topics We Cover:

• The behind-the-scenes journey from side project to studio platform
• What changed in the yoga industry post-2020—and what hasn’t
• How new studio owners can avoid the tech trap
• Why accountability (not features) is the game changer
• Eddie’s favorite “studio hero” story and what made it work
• How automation, marketing, and reporting are evolving in 2025

🔗 Resources & Links:
Learn more about OfferingTree
Book your free strategy call with Michael Jay: www.yogabizchamp.com/book
Download the Ultimate Yoga Studio Business Plan: www.yogabizchamp.com/businessplan
Catch up on past episodes: www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink

🙏 Sponsors:
OfferingTree – Tech built with yoga studios in mind
Boutique Business Brokers – Your go-to for buying or selling a studio
The Sales Arms – Helping yoga studios close more leads with less stress

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

“Until you find your why, everything else is external.” – Arundhati Baitmangalkar

What happens when you build a studio without a business plan—but with a rock-solid purpose? In this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, I sit down with Arundhati Baitmangalkar, the founder of Aham Yoga and host of the Let's Talk Yoga podcast, to talk about the deep-rooted why behind everything she does.

We go beyond the surface of yoga studio ownership and get into what really sustains a teacher or studio owner long-term. From teaching her first community class to leading international trainings, Arundhati’s clarity around her mission—to teach and be of impact—is what’s kept her grounded, energized, and successful for over a decade.

In this honest, heart-forward conversation, we talk about:

• How your “why” becomes your compass when everything else feels unclear
• Why she started small—and why that was her biggest advantage
• Moving from yoga teacher to team leader with integrity
• Redefining boundaries, burnout, and what success actually looks like
• Creating content and showing up online in a way that feels aligned
• How to build systems, not chaos, even if you’re a one-person show
• Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, over it, or just overthinking your next move—this episode is your nudge to come back to your why.

🎧 Tune in now: yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Connect with Arundhati:
📍 Studio: Aham Yoga https://www.ahamyoga.com
🎧 Podcast: Let's Talk Yoga
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/arundhati.baitmangalkar

Connect with Michael Jay:
💼 Business coaching & free resources: www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink
📸 Instagram: www.instagramcom/yogabizchamp

🔥 If this episode hit home, share it with a studio owner or teacher who’s ready to reconnect with their purpose.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Get 50% off your first three months of Offering Tree, OR 15% off an entire year with my Exclusive Discount Link Offeringtree.com/yogabizchamppodcast.

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink