The wellness industry isn’t just growing—it’s exploding into a trillion-dollar global market. In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Jeff Ono (Co-Founder & President of Pause Studio) and Lisa Tengbom (Strategic Specialist) to break down what’s driving this surge—and how Pause Studio is positioning itself within it.

They unpack how modern lifestyles, increased stress, and a shift toward proactive health are fueling demand for recovery and wellness services. From cold plunges and IV therapy to flotation and contrast therapy, Pause Studio brings multiple science-backed modalities under one roof—making high-end wellness more accessible.

But what really sets them apart?

A new credit-based membership model designed to increase flexibility, usage, and long-term engagement

A focus on repeat clients over vanity metrics

A premium, high-touch experience that prioritizes how customers feel the moment they walk in

A disciplined expansion strategy—growing intentionally, not everywhere

They also share what they’ve learned scaling the brand:

Why leadership style is the biggest differentiator among top franchisees

The key KPIs that actually matter (and what to ignore)

Why this is not an absentee-owner business—and what it really takes to succeed

With dozens of locations open and many more in development, Pause Studio is tapping into a massive shift: people are no longer treating wellness as a luxury—it’s becoming a lifestyle.

If you’ve been curious about franchising, business ownership, or where the wellness industry is headed next—this episode breaks it down.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome to Franchise Unfiltered

01:44 — What Pause Studio Actually Does

03:45 — The Trillion-Dollar Wellness Boom

04:58 — Why People Are Shifting to Proactive Health

07:00 — The New Membership Model Explained

08:10 — How Credits Increase Customer Spending

11:50 — How Fast Pause Studio Is Expanding

13:20 — The “Pause Lite” Expansion Strategy

15:42 — What Makes Top Franchisees Successful

20:34 — The Biggest Mistakes Franchise Owners Make

7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:

https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising

🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/

#PauseStudio #Wellness #Franchise