Pilates Business Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: The Beliefs That Are Silently Sabotaging Your Studio
Host: Seran Glanfield
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "The Beliefs That Are Silently Sabotaging Your Studio," Seran Glanfield delves deep into the often-overlooked aspect of running a successful Pilates studio: mindset. Moving beyond conventional discussions about marketing and operational strategies, Seran emphasizes the crucial role that an entrepreneur's mindset plays in distinguishing thriving businesses from those that remain stagnant.
The Invisible Bottleneck: Mindset
Seran opens the conversation by challenging listeners to consider that their mindset might be the primary obstacle hindering business growth, rather than external factors like marketing or staffing issues.
“What if I told you that the biggest bottleneck in your business right now might not be your marketing, your staff, or your schedule, but perhaps it's your mindset?”
— Seran Glanfield [00:00]
She highlights that mindset is the invisible factor that separates studio owners who thrive from those who are perpetually stuck in survival mode.
Transitioning to an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Seran discusses the common journey of studio owners who transition from passionate instructors to business owners without a clear guide on adopting a CEO-like mindset. This shift is essential for creating a sustainable and profitable business.
“Most of us go into business because we find something that we love... And when you decided to do that, no one handed you a manual that said, oh, by the way, if you want to actually run a profitable business, a sustainable business, you need to start thinking like a CEO.”
— Seran Glanfield [01:17]
She contrasts the teacher mode—where owners handle every aspect of the business—with the entrepreneurial mindset, where owners design systems that operate independently of their constant input.
Common Limiting Beliefs
Seran identifies several sneaky beliefs that studio owners might unknowingly harbor, which can stifle growth:
- Fear of Delegation: Believing that no one else can teach as effectively.
- Fear of Increasing Prices: Worrying that higher rates will drive clients away.
- Financial Constraints: Thinking that hiring help is unaffordable.
“If you believe that no one else can teach like I do, my clients will leave if I raise my prices, or I can't afford to hire any help right now, then all of those thoughts are truly shaping your results.”
— Seran Glanfield [12:30]
She emphasizes that businesses cannot outgrow their owners' limiting beliefs, making it imperative to recognize and address these mental barriers.
Embracing Failure as Part of Success
A significant portion of the discussion centers on redefining failure within the entrepreneurial journey. Seran argues that failure is not the antithesis of success but a crucial component of it.
“Failure isn't the opposite of success. It's more like part of your success. It's part of the process.”
— Seran Glanfield [15:45]
Drawing parallels to physical workouts, she likens the challenges faced in business to the discomfort experienced during exercise, both of which lead to growth and strength when properly managed.
Time Management and Delegation
Seran addresses the common struggle of time management among studio owners, especially those juggling multiple roles like teaching, caregiving, and business management. She advocates for a shift from merely filling time with tasks to investing time strategically for maximum return.
“Entrepreneurs are investing their time. So a mindset shift looks like thinking about time and what return you're going to get on that time.”
— Seran Glanfield [18:10]
Practical advice includes:
- Delegating Tasks: Entrusting time-consuming tasks like social media content creation to others.
- Optimizing Schedules: Ensuring that daily activities contribute to business growth rather than just maintaining operations.
- Adding Capacity: Identifying areas where time can be reallocated for better efficiency.
Practical Steps to Shift Mindset
Seran encourages studio owners to actively evaluate and shift their mindsets by:
- Self-Reflection: Assessing current beliefs and their impact on business decisions.
- Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.
- Building Resilience: Embracing failures as stepping stones to success.
- Surrounding with Success: Engaging with other successful studio owners to gain insights and inspiration.
“Think about, am I willing to lean into this process? Am I willing to ride the wave? Am I willing to, when something doesn't work, come back, revisit and learn from it?”
— Seran Glanfield [17:20]
Conclusion
Seran wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. She underscores that this shift is an ongoing practice rather than a one-time change, pivotal for building a business that serves the owner rather than the other way around.
“If you want to build a business that works for you, not the other way around, then you have to have the right mindset.”
— Seran Glanfield [19:15]
Call to Action
For listeners ready to deepen their entrepreneurial mindset, Seran introduces her Thrive program, offering coaching, resources, and actionable tools to support studio owners in their journey toward sustainable success.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindset is Crucial: The entrepreneur mindset differentiates successful studio owners from those struggling.
- Identify Limiting Beliefs: Recognize and challenge beliefs that hinder business growth.
- Embrace Failure: View setbacks as integral to the path of success.
- Strategic Time Management: Focus on tasks that offer high returns and delegate effectively.
- Continuous Growth: Adopt a growth mindset and seek inspiration from successful peers.
This episode serves as a powerful reminder that while operational strategies are vital, the foundation of a thriving business lies in the owner's mindset. By addressing and transforming internal beliefs, studio owners can unlock their full potential and steer their businesses toward sustained growth and fulfillment.