Podcast Summary: Pilates Business Podcast

Episode: The $10 vs. $10,000 Hour: The Simple Shift That Grows Your Pilates Business Faster
Host: Seran Glanfield
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Seran Glanfield breaks down a core challenge boutique fitness studio owners face: overwork caused by handling too many low-impact tasks. The episode focuses on the vital shift from busywork to high-value, growth-focused activities—transforming your role from “doer of everything” to true business leader. Seran shares practical frameworks, actionable strategies, and mindset advice to help you reclaim your time, drive sustainable growth, and rediscover the enjoyment in running your studio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overwork Trap in Studio Ownership

• Many studio owners work far longer hours than anticipated, performing a patchwork of tasks ranging from teaching to admin to marketing.
• This is not a badge of honor but a sign that something is missing in the business structure.
• The emotional toll includes exhaustion, resentment, creative burnout, and a capped business growth ceiling.

Quote:
“Overworking is not a badge of honor. It’s a sign that there’s something else missing in your business.” – Seran Glanfield [00:13]

2. The Shift: From Doing Everything to Leading the Business

• Most studio owners start as instructors passionate about their movement modality, seeking freedom and impact.
• Over time, business owners remain stuck in a reactive mode—handling every fires and making “100 micro-decisions” daily.
• True growth comes from intentionally shifting away from the mindset that more working hours equals more success.

Quote:
“Working more hours doesn’t equal more success. In fact, the opposite is often true.” – Seran Glanfield [17:22]

3. The $10 vs. $10,000 Hour Framework

• $10/hour tasks: Basic admin, scheduling, routine low-impact tasks.
• $100/hour tasks: Client service, teaching (with the caveat that teaching can shift up in value in some models).
• $1,000/hour tasks: Strategy, pricing decisions, process design, collaborations.
• $10,000/hour tasks: Leadership development, big-picture planning, self-investment, and long-term strategy.
• Owners who are burned out spend too much time on $10 and $100 tasks.
• Studios that scale and bring fulfillment are led by owners who guard their $1,000 and $10,000 hour activities.

Quote:
“The studios that scale...spend a lot of time in the $1,000 and $10,000 an hour work, because that is where you build the business that actually pays you back.” – Seran Glanfield [24:10]

4. How to Protect Your High-Value Time (and Why You Must)

• High-value “CEO time” is not a luxury; it’s essential for healthy business growth.
• This time should be protected and scheduled like an important client appointment.
• Activities include goal setting, data analysis, system and process review, and envisioning future growth.

Quote:
“I encourage you to carve out that time and protect it like you would protect an appointment with your favorite instructor.” – Seran Glanfield [25:47]

5. Systems and Leadership: The True Growth Drivers

• Bouncing between disorganized, unstructured tasks keeps owners in reactive, low-value work.
• Key is developing simple systems for marketing, client service, operations, and leadership—enabling delegation and freeing up time.
• Strong leadership skills are both a requirement and a growth opportunity; owners need to lean into or invest in developing these.

Quote:
“Your role is not to do everything. Your role is to design the system so that everything can get done.” – Seran Glanfield [39:17]

6. Overcoming Fear and Mindset Blocks

• There’s a common fear that stepping back means the studio might shrink or fail.
• In truth, saying “no” to low-value tasks or spreading yourself thin creates space for higher-value decisions, team leadership, and resilience.
• This enables greater inspiration and joy—for yourself, your team, and your clients.

Quote:
“There is often this fear that if you step back or do less, that your studio will shrink... But the truth is your growth won’t come from just adding more hours. It will come from making shifts to the way that you work.” – Seran Glanfield [42:01]

7. Real-Life Results & Final Motivation

• Seran shares stories of clients who were burnt out and ready to give up; after implementing systems and protecting CEO time, they not only survived but thrived, enjoying more freedom and fulfillment.
• The episode closes with encouragement: the business should serve you, not drain you.

Quote:
“Your business is here to serve you, right? Not the other way around... The hours you put in should multiply your impact and not just drain you.” – Seran Glanfield [44:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Overworking is not a badge of honor. It’s a sign that there’s something else missing in your business.” [00:13]
• “Working more hours doesn’t equal more success. In fact, the opposite is often true.” [17:22]
• “The studios that scale...spend a lot of time in the $1,000 and $10,000 an hour work.” [24:10]
• “I encourage you to carve out that time and protect it like you would protect an appointment with your favorite instructor.” [25:47]
• “Your role is not to do everything. Your role is to design the system so that everything can get done.” [39:17]
• “There is often this fear that if you step back or do less, that your studio will shrink... But the truth is your growth won’t come from just adding more hours.” [42:01]
• “Your business is here to serve you...The hours you put in should multiply your impact and not just drain you.” [44:50]

Important Segment Timestamps

• The overworking myth & reality: [00:00–05:30]
• What’s behind the endless to-do list: [05:30–14:20]
• Mindset shift: From doer to leader: [14:20–20:00]
• The $10 vs. $10,000 Hour framework explained: [20:00–27:00]
• Protecting CEO time & practical systems advice: [27:00–33:00]
• Delegation, leadership, and studio transformation examples: [33:00–41:00]
• Addressing fears, shifting toward sustainable growth: [41:00–45:00]
• Final encouragement and call to action: [45:00–end]

Summary Takeaways

• Stop glorifying overwork: It doesn’t equal better results.
• Use the $10 vs $10,000 hour lens: Routinely audit your activities, and shift your focus intentionally.
• Prioritize CEO time: Block it out, protect it, and use it strategically.
• Grow through systems: Build processes, delegate low-value tasks, and invest in your leadership.
• Shift your mindset: Let go of the fear that doing less will harm your business—intentional, higher-level work creates lasting growth.
• Remember: Your studio should serve you; optimize it to enhance both your life and your income.

For more resources or information on the Thrive program, visit springthree.com/thrive.