130 - The Roadmap to Opening a Successful Yoga Studio with Lauren Schoenfeld

Lauren Schoenfeld is the founder of Active Core Consulting, a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs in wellness who need a CFO, bookkeeping, sales, or operations coach.

Opening a brick-and-mortar yoga studio is a journey of turning your love for the practice into a thriving community space. In this episode, I’m joined by Lauren, a fractional CFO who specializes in helping yoga teachers transition from being instructors to successful CEOs.

We dive deep into the essential systems, financial clarity, and mindset shifts required to build a sustainable business without burning out.

Whether you are just dreaming of your first location or looking to optimize an existing studio, this conversation provides a clear roadmap for your success.

QUOTES

“Clarity is kindness. Having clear metrics on pricing and member goals allows you to communicate better with your team and your community.”

“Owning a brick-and-mortar is like giving yourself an MBA in how to run a business. You have to be excited about the entrepreneurial path, not just the teaching.”

“In-person connection is what is going to convert and help with retention. People buy from people because they love your energy and the team you’ve curated.”

“Look at your KPIs through a lens of curiosity. If a number isn't where you want it to be, it’s not a failure—it’s just an opportunity to tweak your alignment.”

TIMESTAMPS

00:01 The Transition from Teacher to Studio Owner

00:41 Understanding Your Financial Projections and Unit Economics

02:15 Why the Studio Owner is the Most Important Person to Get Paid

04:52 Getting Clear on Your "Why" Before Signing a Lease

05:41 Exploring Alternatives to Brick-and-Mortar Models

07:51 The 12-Month Foundation: Systems, SOPs, and Hiring Professionals

09:19 The Pre-Sale Phase: Building Recurring Revenue Before Opening

11:26 Prioritizing Sales as a Connection Process, Not Manipulation

13:45 Moving from the Operator Seat to the CEO Role

15:44 The Owner's Pay Roadmap: Reverse Engineering Your Future Goals

17:48 Navigating Funding: SBA Loans, Savings, and Interest-Free Tools

19:39 Using the Profit Diagnostic Tool to Find Your Alignment

KEYWORDS

yoga studio business, brick and mortar yoga, yoga entrepreneur, studio ownership, yoga teacher career, business systems for yoga, financial freedom for teachers

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NEXT STEP

1) Yoga instructors looking to open a new studio - book a call to talk with our team here. We'll walk you through our process to turn your vision into reality!2) Existing studio owners: Studio Owner Pro