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Unknown Speaker 1
What you say in your marketing matters. Being able to clearly define what you really do for your clients. That is what will bring you more qualified clients. And I get it.
Unknown Speaker 2
I totally get it.
Unknown Speaker 1
No one ever taught you how to market yourself or your studio. But it's time for that to change. The truth is, it's not just about the quality of the teaching. Impactful and effective marketing is critical to building and growing your studio business. Now, lucky for you, I'm opening up enrollment for my Marketing Intensive program Inside. I take you through my proven framework for creating a marketing message that is unique to you and your studio. And I show you how you can amplify that inside a marketing plan that puts you in complete control of your growth, all in just eight weeks. The Marketing Intensive really has been a game changer for the studio owners who have gone through the program. And it could be exactly what you need to take your business to the next level too. Enrollment is open right now, but only for a very limited time. And space is also limited just so that I can give everyone inside the attention that their businesses deserve. So don't wait. If you're interested in learning more about the Marketing Intensive, you can go to spring3.com forward/marketing intensive or click the link in the show notes.
Saran Blanfield
I'll be ready when I have more time. I'll be ready when I've got the perfect website. I'll be ready when my class is all full.
Unknown Speaker 2
Does this sound familiar? Today we're diving into the sneaky lies.
Saran Blanfield
That we tell ourselves about business growth. Ones that often keep us stuck. And you might not even realize how.
Unknown Speaker 2
Some of these thoughts are actually holding.
Saran Blanfield
You back, but trust me, they are. So by the end of this episode.
Unknown Speaker 2
You will know exactly how to stop.
Saran Blanfield
Waiting and start building the studio you really, really want.
Sarah Glanfield
Well, hi there, I'm Sarah Glanfield. I'm a business and marketing strategist just for boutique fitness studio owners like you. If you're ready to be inspired and make a bigger impact, you're in the right place. All you need are a few key strategies, the right mindset, and some support along the way. Join me as I share the real.
Unknown Speaker 3
Life insights that will help you grow.
Sarah Glanfield
A sustainable and profitable studio. This is the Pilates Business Podcast.
Saran Blanfield
Hey there and welcome back to this episode of the Pilates Business Podcast. I'm Saran Blanfield and as always, I'm.
Unknown Speaker 2
So happy that you are here with me today. And today we're diving into a big.
Saran Blanfield
One and this really sort of falls.
Unknown Speaker 2
Outside of marketing tips outside of branding tips and outside of even operational tips that I share with you here on the podcast. And we are talking more about things.
Saran Blanfield
That might be keeping us stuck that we are not always aware of, and that is often these sneaky little lies that we tell ourselves about where we're.
Unknown Speaker 2
At on our business journey and why we might not be ready to take the next step in our business.
Saran Blanfield
And I think that, you know, at some level, we've all been there, right? We'll say things like, you know, I will hire people when I'm making more money. I will start to my own teacher training program when I feel more confident. And, you know, these are these sorts of thoughts that.
Unknown Speaker 2
That might feel true in the moment.
Saran Blanfield
And I know that they really do because I've been there, too. But often the truth is that they kind of ultimately end us, Keep. End up keeping us stuck in the same place, and they kind of are an excuse. And I think that it's really important.
Unknown Speaker 2
To talk about some of these little lies that we tell ourselves about business growth, because these often fuel our actions later on.
Saran Blanfield
And. And the reality is that, you know, very rarely are any of us ready for this. And what I've observed from being so.
Unknown Speaker 2
Fortunate to get to support and coach and consult with some of the biggest.
Saran Blanfield
And best studios in the. In the world, but also working with.
Unknown Speaker 2
The folks who are just starting out.
Saran Blanfield
Is that growth doesn't happen when you're ready. It happens when you decide to start anyway.
Unknown Speaker 2
And I'm sharing this today because this is your year.
Saran Blanfield
This is 2025. We are fully in this year now.
Unknown Speaker 2
And there is a tremendous amount of opportunity ahead.
Saran Blanfield
And I want to make sure that.
Unknown Speaker 2
You are positioned to take full advantage of the opportunity that I'm seeing in this industry. And I don't want these moments of hesitation or these excuses to keep you from making the bold moves that your business needs.
Saran Blanfield
The reality is that I myself, for.
Unknown Speaker 2
Sure, have waited for the perfect moment. I have to say, this podcast, I.
Saran Blanfield
Think, is one of the best examples. It was something I'd been thinking about.
Unknown Speaker 2
Not just for weeks or months before.
Saran Blanfield
I actually bit the bullet and did the thing. It was years, actually. And I now look back and imagine and wonder what this podcast could look like. How many more people could I have interviewed? How many more people could I have.
Unknown Speaker 2
Reached if I had not sat and.
Saran Blanfield
Thought about it quite so much and wondered and kind of perhaps told myself.
Unknown Speaker 2
I'll be ready when.
Saran Blanfield
And so I want to break down some of these sort of these. These conversations that we have with ourselves.
Unknown Speaker 2
Sometimes these lies, sometimes they're little stories.
Saran Blanfield
That perhaps are not so much truth.
Unknown Speaker 2
That we tell ourselves about growth. And I think the biggest one that.
Saran Blanfield
I hear is that people tell me, you know, I'll be ready, I just need a bit more time. I when I have more time to do this, when I have more time available to me, when I have more free time on my schedule, then I will be able to do this. I obviously, you know, I'm a mum of three children with very busy households, and they're definitely restrictions on time, as.
Unknown Speaker 2
There are for all of us, all of you.
Saran Blanfield
And I think one of the things that I have discovered over the many.
Unknown Speaker 2
Years that I've had my own business and from being so fortunate, like I said, to work with so many studio.
Saran Blanfield
Owners at every level of business, is that I don't think that you sort of find the time. It doesn't sort of show up and appear to you.
Unknown Speaker 2
You have to make the time.
Saran Blanfield
Because the reality is, is that you.
Unknown Speaker 2
Can accomplish so much if you put.
Saran Blanfield
Your mind to it and if you're organized about it. But oftentimes, when we have time, we.
Unknown Speaker 2
Perhaps don't spend it in the most fruitful way. And so I don't think it's about finding time or waiting for time.
Saran Blanfield
I actually think it's about making time.
Unknown Speaker 2
We all have the same 24 hours in a day.
Saran Blanfield
But successful business owners really prioritize the things that drive growth. So you want to think of time, right? Like you think of perhaps any workout that you do.
Unknown Speaker 2
You can only get stronger when you.
Saran Blanfield
Make the effort and when you're organized about what you're going to do during that session. So I would encourage you to perhaps look at your calendar. And I've spoken about this in the podcast. Go search in the podcast for time blocking. But this is one, I think, one.
Unknown Speaker 2
Of the most powerful tools that you have at your fingertips.
Saran Blanfield
You can carve out out even just.
Unknown Speaker 2
One hour a week to work on.
Saran Blanfield
Your business instead of in your business.
Unknown Speaker 2
And during that time, you know exactly what it is that you're going to.
Saran Blanfield
Do for yourself and I think and for your business. And this is one thing that we do really, really well with our studio.
Unknown Speaker 2
Owners inside of Thrive, with all of the structure and support that we give.
Saran Blanfield
To our studio owners in that program, we help them to prioritize what they.
Unknown Speaker 2
Need to focus on during that one hour.
Saran Blanfield
And so if you've got one hour.
Unknown Speaker 2
It'S amazing if you know what you need to do, how much you can.
Saran Blanfield
Accomplish and how productive you can be.
Unknown Speaker 2
When you just have 60 minutes to focus on your business.
Saran Blanfield
And I want you to treat that 60 minutes like a non negotiable client session. So we can't wait for more time to come. Instead we have to go and we have to go and put that on our calendar and carve out that time. Now the next sort of little lie, sneaky little lie that I hear people tell me is that, you know, I'll be ready when I, my marketing is good. I'll be ready when my marketing, when I've got my marketing going, then I'll be ready for the next phase. Okay? And I think that the reality is.
Unknown Speaker 2
Is that when we are talking about.
Saran Blanfield
Marketing, you know, it's something that is.
Unknown Speaker 2
Has to be so consistent in your.
Saran Blanfield
Business that it's not something that we really ever complete, right? It's not a, it's not a task.
Unknown Speaker 2
That is checked off and then you.
Saran Blanfield
Never come back to it again.
Unknown Speaker 2
Marketing is something that you're doing on an ongoing basis. And if you're waiting for your marketing to be perfect before you say perhaps add a location or add another piece.
Saran Blanfield
Of equipment, then it will sort of keep you stuck in this sort of analysis paralysis, right? Where maybe you're waiting until your website is, is complete or your website is.
Unknown Speaker 2
Improved or your clicks are higher or.
Saran Blanfield
You have more followers on social media or your emails look perfect.
Unknown Speaker 2
And the reality is that when it.
Saran Blanfield
Comes to marketing specifically, I want you to do it even when it's not perfect.
Unknown Speaker 2
In fact, I don't want you to.
Saran Blanfield
Wait for it to be perfect, I want you to do it anyway. Because marketing for your studio is about.
Unknown Speaker 2
Building relationships with your potential clients and.
Saran Blanfield
Your current clients, in which case they're.
Unknown Speaker 2
Not looking for perf affection from you, they're looking for connection. And so if you are not putting yourself out there at all, they will never find you and they will, you will never impact their lives and their what they see about you enough for.
Saran Blanfield
Them to take that next step.
Unknown Speaker 2
So your marketing doesn't need to be.
Saran Blanfield
Perfect, but it does need to a exist, right? But also be consistent with it.
Unknown Speaker 2
And so I want you to think.
Saran Blanfield
About, you know, how you can be.
Unknown Speaker 2
Consistent with your marketing instead of being.
Saran Blanfield
Perfect with your marketing. And when it comes to your marketing, one of the things that just makes.
Unknown Speaker 2
It so much easier for anyone to.
Saran Blanfield
Be a better marketer is to have a clear marketing message.
Unknown Speaker 2
A message that speaks to your ideal.
Saran Blanfield
Clients and that is aligned with your.
Unknown Speaker 2
Brand and your values. And then once you have your marketing message. What you'll do is you will consistently share this across the different platforms that you are active on.
Saran Blanfield
And then marketing doesn't just get better.
Unknown Speaker 2
It also gets easier. And then when marketing is easier, it's just becomes much more consistent for you because it doesn't take as much time. You know exactly what you want to.
Saran Blanfield
Say, and it just becomes a lot smoother overall.
Unknown Speaker 2
So don't wait until you've perfected your marketing. I want you to go out there and develop a marketing message that works for your business and that you are happy and comfortable and excited about sharing with the world.
Saran Blanfield
Once you have that, marketing just gets simpler. So the third lie that I hear is people tell me, I'll be ready.
Unknown Speaker 2
When my classes are full.
Saran Blanfield
When my classes are full, I'll be ready to take time off.
Unknown Speaker 2
My classes are full, I'll be ready to add another teacher.
Saran Blanfield
And the problem is, waiting for classes to be full and waitlisted before focusing.
Unknown Speaker 2
On the next phase is like saying.
Saran Blanfield
You'Ll start working out once you're already fit, right? And I know many of you have heard your clients say, yes, I will start doing Pilates when I'm already flexible. When I get flexible enough, I will do yoga after that. And the react, you know, and I know that that's not how you get like you get. You get flexible by doing the thing first, right?
Unknown Speaker 2
And so the same is true for your business. You can't wait for growth to happen unless you're willing to step outside of that comfort zone. If you wait for classes to be full, you'll miss out on opportunities to expand. Now, you do want your classes to be active.
Saran Blanfield
You do want people in your classes. You do want there to be data showing you that if you want to add more classes or, or expand an ad capacity, that you have the data.
Unknown Speaker 2
There to show you that you do have enough of a client flow to be able to support that growth and that expansion.
Saran Blanfield
But if you are waiting for your.
Unknown Speaker 2
Classes to be waitlisted by five people.
Saran Blanfield
Before you do that, you might find.
Unknown Speaker 2
That actually your business grinds to a bit of a halt.
Saran Blanfield
And unfortunately, sometimes when we allow our business to get to that point, it.
Unknown Speaker 2
Can be quite tricky even after that to be able to see continued growth.
Saran Blanfield
Because we see the momentum sort of disappear out of the business.
Unknown Speaker 2
So don't wait for your classes to.
Saran Blanfield
Be full before you expand and grow, okay? Instead, you want to focus on the.
Unknown Speaker 2
Systems inside of your business. The systems that get clients in the door consistently, the systems that make sure. That your clients are staying and active and the systems that are encouraging them to continue to stay active over a long period of time, even if your clients are not at capacity yet.
Saran Blanfield
Okay. So I encourage you to not wait.
Unknown Speaker 2
Until your classes are waitlisted or full before you focus on those systems, before you focus on your growth.
Saran Blanfield
Okay. The next one is that people tell me that I will be ready when I feel more confident, and I'll be ready when I'll be ready to hire someone. I need to build my confidence first. I'll be ready to open a second location. I'll be ready to market myself. I'll be ready to show my face.
Unknown Speaker 2
On camera when I more confident.
Saran Blanfield
And the problem is that it's sort of the other way around, because confidence.
Unknown Speaker 2
Doesn'T actually come first.
Saran Blanfield
It actually comes after you take action.
Unknown Speaker 2
No one ever feels 100% ready to step into something new. But the more often you put yourself out there and do new things, the more comfortable and more confident you will be that you can do new things.
Saran Blanfield
And the easier it gets. So, again, don't wait for your confidence to show up and appear. I want you to start taking action first of all. Right? I remember way back when I first started teaching, I certainly wasn't confident at all, but we didn't have a choice.
Unknown Speaker 2
We had to stand up in front.
Saran Blanfield
Of those 15 people and teach a mat class when I'd only just learned how to teach the math class.
Unknown Speaker 2
And it wasn't about making it perfect.
Saran Blanfield
It wasn't about it being. It wasn't even about how confident I was. It was about taking the action and then repeating the action and doing it again. And so instead of I'll try or maybe I will, you change the phrase, change the language that you use to.
Unknown Speaker 2
Say, I'm doing this.
Saran Blanfield
I'm standing up in front of these.
Unknown Speaker 2
People and I am teaching.
Saran Blanfield
I am going to click record on that video and film myself walking into my studio.
Unknown Speaker 2
I'm going to stand in front of that camera and I'm going to invite clients in.
Saran Blanfield
I am doing this because confidence really.
Unknown Speaker 2
Is a byproduct of a few different things. But the first thing is you need to commit to yourself that you are.
Saran Blanfield
Actually really going to do it.
Unknown Speaker 2
And that actually takes courage. So there's a few things that have to happen before you can get confident. And confidence is a result. It's an outcome.
Saran Blanfield
It doesn't come first, comes later, and it comes after, typically taking an action. So please start small, by all means.
Unknown Speaker 2
You don't have to Go crazy.
Saran Blanfield
But pick one thing that you feel a little bit uncomfortable about and commit to doing it even if it's not perfect. I promise you it's not as bad as you might think it's going to be. The next little lie I hear when people are talking about their studios and talking about growth especially, and that is, you know, I'll be ready when I'm making more money. I'll be ready to hire when I'm making more money. I'll be ready to invest in myself when I'm making more money.
Unknown Speaker 2
I'll be ready to hire when I'm making more money.
Saran Blanfield
And you know, I think unfortunately, you know, many folks have, have perhaps through whatever world you have, you know, evolved in, um, and whatever that looked like for you. We carry a lot of things with us that we from, from prior lives. Right. And you know, I think sometimes we often struggle to invest in ourselves. And whether that struggle is financial or energetic or time waiting to invest in yourself is most likely not serving you very well. And you know, I think the most.
Unknown Speaker 2
Important thing that you can do as.
Saran Blanfield
A business owner is to invest in.
Unknown Speaker 2
Yourself, in your ability to show up.
Saran Blanfield
In your business with the best skills and the most energy that you can.
Unknown Speaker 2
Because when you as the leader of.
Saran Blanfield
Your business shows up with a business.
Unknown Speaker 2
Skill set, with energy and with leadership skills, your business will only do better. So waiting until you have more money.
Saran Blanfield
To invest in marketing or to improve your studio space or, or to even.
Unknown Speaker 2
Invest in your own business skill and development will only trap you in a.
Saran Blanfield
Cycle of keeping you stuck, of stagnation. And instead, I encourage you to think.
Unknown Speaker 2
About investments like this as a way to unlock the growth inside of you.
Saran Blanfield
And your business, not something you wait to do. And so sometimes that can mean hiring.
Unknown Speaker 2
The right person and that can often free up your time to focus on bigger things to on higher value tasks.
Saran Blanfield
So I encourage you to think about.
Unknown Speaker 2
Where you can invest in yourself and in your business to facilitate growth and.
Saran Blanfield
Avoid being the bottleneck in your business. So there you have it.
Unknown Speaker 2
I hope I gave you a few.
Saran Blanfield
Things to think about. These are the five of, I think the biggest lies that we tell ourselves about business growth. So quick recap number one is you.
Unknown Speaker 2
Don'T need more time.
Saran Blanfield
You just need to prioritize how to.
Unknown Speaker 2
Use the time that you already have.
Saran Blanfield
And like I said, this is something that I show the studio owners inside.
Unknown Speaker 2
Of Thrive how to do.
Saran Blanfield
And we work on it together and we hold each other accountable on an ongoing basis so that you're never alone.
Unknown Speaker 2
Trying to wonder where to focus. First, you have a lot of clarity around that direction.
Saran Blanfield
Second, your marketing does not need to be perfect.
Unknown Speaker 2
Big believer in being a B plus student, maybe even a B minor student sometimes.
Saran Blanfield
But what I do care about is that you are consistent and authentic in your marketing.
Unknown Speaker 2
Third, don't wait for classes to be waitlisted. Focus on creating systems that bring in new clients steadily and that help you to retain your clients.
Saran Blanfield
Fourth, confidence doesn't just show up. Action is what creates confidence. Confidence. And it's okay to start messy and.
Unknown Speaker 2
Refine and build as you go.
Saran Blanfield
In fact, that's often how you have to do it.
Unknown Speaker 2
And finally, growth does usually require some investment. So don't wait until you have more.
Saran Blanfield
To make moves that will perhaps help you to unlock that next phase of growth. The truth is there will never be.
Unknown Speaker 2
A perfect moment to do anything. If you wait until you are 100%.
Saran Blanfield
Ready, you may well be waiting forever.
Unknown Speaker 2
Growth happens when you take imperfect action.
Saran Blanfield
You learn as you go and you.
Unknown Speaker 2
Trust that every step forward will move you towards the success that you want.
Saran Blanfield
So I'm kind of curious for you to think about perhaps one thing. You might be ready to stop telling yourself today about your business and maybe commit to one small action you could take this week to move your business forward. So I hope this is helpful to you as you go about building your boutique fitness business. I really appreciate you tuning in today to the Pilates Business podcast and if you found this episode helpful, please take a quick minute to share it with a fellow studio owner or leave a review. It means the world to me. So until next time, keep showing up for yourself, your studio, and your clients who truly are doing incredible, incredible work.
Unknown Speaker 3
Did you love this episode and want more? Head to spring3.com and check out my free resources that will help you run a profitable and fulfilling studio business. And before you go, one last reminder. There is no one way to do what you do, only your way. So whatever it is that you want to do, create or offer, you've got this.
Saran Blanfield
Thanks again for joining me today and.
Unknown Speaker 3
Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Pilates Business Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: "I'll Be Ready When...": 5 Lies Holding Your Studio Back from Growth
Host: Saran Blanfield
Release Date: February 10, 2025
In this empowering episode of The Pilates Business Podcast, host Saran Blanfield delves into the common misconceptions that hinder boutique fitness studio owners from achieving sustainable growth. Titled "I'll Be Ready When...": 5 Lies Holding Your Studio Back from Growth, Saran identifies and dismantles five pervasive "lies" or excuses that prevent studio owners from taking decisive actions to expand their businesses. By addressing these misconceptions, she provides listeners with actionable strategies to overcome mental barriers and implement effective growth tactics.
Overview:
Many studio owners postpone growth initiatives, believing they need additional time to execute plans effectively. This mindset leads to perpetual delays and stagnation.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
Saran emphasizes, "We have to make time because the reality is that you can accomplish so much if you put your mind to it and if you're organized about it" (07:06).
Overview:
Perfectionism in marketing efforts can lead to analysis paralysis, where studio owners hesitate to launch campaigns until every detail is flawless.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
Saran advises, "Marketing doesn't need to be perfect, but it does need to exist and be consistent with it" (10:20).
Overview:
Waiting for classes to reach full capacity before expanding can stunt business growth and lead to missed opportunities.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
Saran compares this lie to fitness goals, stating, "You can't wait for growth to happen unless you're willing to step outside of that comfort zone" (12:01).
Overview:
Many studio owners delay taking action until they feel fully confident, which often leads to indefinite postponement of essential growth activities.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
Saran encourages, "Confidence doesn't actually come first. It actually comes after you take action" (14:27).
Overview:
Waiting for financial abundance before investing in business growth can trap studio owners in a cycle of stagnation, preventing necessary advancements.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
Saran states, "The most important thing that you can do as a business owner is to invest in yourself, in your ability to show up in your business with the best skills and the most energy" (17:31).
Saran Blanfield wraps up the episode with a succinct recap of the five lies that impede business growth, reinforcing the importance of prioritizing time, embracing imperfect marketing, proactively expanding, taking action to build confidence, and investing in oneself and the business. She urges studio owners to identify and commit to overcoming these misconceptions, emphasizing that growth is attainable through deliberate, consistent actions rather than waiting for ideal circumstances.
Final Encouragement:
"Growth happens when you take imperfect action. You learn as you go and trust that every step forward will move you towards the success that you want" (20:18).
Saran also invites listeners to engage further by sharing the episode, leaving reviews, and accessing free resources at spring3.com, fostering a supportive community for boutique fitness studio owners striving for success.
Timestamp References:
This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting Saran Blanfield's insights and providing actionable advice for boutique fitness studio owners aiming to overcome obstacles and achieve growth.