Hello,
Just starting my business plan.Iam looking to open a small studio in my area.Would love some great advice on how to run a profitable studio. Thanks,

Hi SEpilates...I'm sure you'll get some great advice here in this forum. Do you have any questions that are more specific? Running a profitable studio is a big topic to tackle in a few paragraphs. Good luck with your business plan!

I am looking for some onformation on statistics of the industry as well as any helpful books/advice.

According to the recent IDEA Fitness Journal survey:

- "Pilates and yoga remain strong in the industry, with 68% of survey respondents offering Pilates and compared to 61% offering yoga."

- "Pilates training is most often offered in Pilates or yoga studios (100%), YMCAs/YWCAs/JCCs (87%) and fitness-only and multipurpose health clubs (72%). Just 26% of personal training gyms offer Pilates."

The July-August 2008 issue of IDEA Fitness Journal also states:

- 46% of respondents offer Pilates equipment, but 61% believe equipment usage will grow.

- 53% of spas offer Pilates, according to ISPA's 2007 spa industry study

SEpilates - check out this podcast (audio) re: starting a new Pilates biz:

http://www.yespilates.com/article-detail.php?id=31

Click on "Starting a new Business" from Sonia Rodriguez (Peak Pilates Master Trainer)

Good Luck!

PM

I have run a profitable Pilates practice(over 100K) per year for the last 8 years. I am the only teacher in the studio and see approximately 80 people per week.

Here are a few tips that I use as a guideline.

1. Succes is dependant on your passion for what you do. Commit to your client and they will commit to you.
2.Learn business ethics. You need to understand how to deal with everyone from inspectors to attorney's to accountants. Local universities often offer free classes on what you need to know to get started in business. Check your small business association for help.
3.Know your target market and learn how to attract the type of client you want to teach.
4. Find your niche. There are enough Pilates studios around for people to shop and compare results. If your clients don't see a difference you will constantly be working to fill your schedule when they start to go elsewhere. Your clients are walking advertisments. If they don't look good, you don't look good.

Good Luck!

Hello - I recently opened a small studio in a coastal area with a small population. I also started mat classes at the same time, offering the first few classes free so people could try it. My mat classes have been a great success and feed a lot of clients who want more individual Pilates into the studio. After 6 months in business my schedule is nearly full. Good luck with your business.

Hi,
I teach a 6 hour class for Pilates On Tour on How to Start a Pilates Business. The class covers all the information you will need to open your studio. I will be teaching the class on August 21 2008 in Minneapolis MN. You can sign up on the Balanced Body website. Hope to see you there.

SEpilates,

Balanced Body has an online newsletter that has a lot of articles and case studies on the various facets of launching a studio.

Here is the link. You'll have to click on "PILATES COREterly" link.

They also have a web page of info on launching a studio.

Hope this helps!

SE,

There is another article on YesPilates.com that addresses the subject as well. The author has studio in the UK and has a wealth of experience to share.

Link... Be Smart about Opening up your new studio.

Pilates Man

SE,
I just bought a very small pilates franchise in PA in January '08. I read the Rich Dad series by Robert Kiyosaki and his advisers, especially The ABC's of Writing Winning Business Plans, Rich Dad Poor Dad to be sure you have the right mindset for your goals, and The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber (not a Rich Dad book)- these were all invaluable, and we've doubled our clients even through our slow summer season. Also, Stacey Pilates' response is right on from what I've learned. Good Luck!

Check out www.MetroPilates.com. I am a business development coach helping Pilates intructors start and grow their busines. We focus on teaching you fundamental busines, marketing and sales skills as taught by Michael Gerber and others. We have a home study course as well as weekly coaching sessions. Additionally we supply customized marketing materials. The key is that our clients get outstanding results as measured in increased clients, retained clients and substantially increased revenue.

I run an in-home tutoring business,but for a long while have been thinking of renting a studio to have mothers take pilates whilst their children in the back of the room have homework help from my tutors. Crazy idea or would that appeal to mothers? What kind of charge could I make as a combined deal?