Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & Life

What really happens after you sell your studio? In this candid episode of Female emPOWERed, I share the truth about the first 8 months post-exit from Pilates in the Grove—everything from the unexpected identity shift and grief, to the freedom, pride, and the systems that made a sellable, scalable business possible.If you’re a Pilates, PT, yoga, or boutique fitness owner who wants to stop being the overworked operator and start leading from the front, this one’s for you. I break down the mindset, structure, and systems that let your business run without you, plus what I’m building next with Fit Biz Accelerator to help you do the same in 2026 and beyond.In this video you’ll learn:What no one tells you about selling a business: the emotional hangover & identity shiftWhy spaciousness (time to think) is a business strategy—not a luxuryHow to design a profitable, predictable, sellable studio with the right systemsThe difference between being an operator vs. a CEO/leaderHow I’m helping women owners build businesses that don’t depend on them (Fit Biz Accelerator)Chapters00:00 Intro & why I’m sharing this now 02:18 The morning after the sale: identity, grief, and “no one needs me” 06:45 Seeing the rebrand: pride, letting go, and nervous system reset 11:20 What made my studio sellable: systems, team, and predictable profit 15:52 Choices the sale created (and why that matters more than a headline number) 20:30 You can sell for high six to low seven figures—here’s the real path 24:10 Why spaciousness is strategy (you can’t scale with a 5-figure mindset) 28:05 Fit Biz Accelerator: structure → systems → strategy → sustainability 33:40 Who it’s for, how it works, and how to join 36:10 Final reminder: new results require new decisionsWork with me👉 Fit Biz Accelerator (limited cohort): weekly coaching + live implementation + systems that make your studio run without you. Join the waitlist: christagurka.com/accelerator 👉 Community membership & resources: christagurka.comConnectIG: @ChristaGurka Podcast: Female emPOWERed Site: christagurka.comMentionedMy sale of Pilates in the Grove (multi-seven-figure studio → sellable asset)Why most owners can sell for high 6–low 7 figures with the right prepThe 4S Framework: Structure → Systems → Strategy → SustainabilityKeywords (SEO)sell a pilates studio, sell a wellness business, boutique fitness business coach, women in business podcast, post-exit identity shift, how to build a sellable business, systems and processes for studios, fitness studio operations, how to stop being the bottleneck, studio owner coaching, pilates business mentor, private pay PT business tips, yoga studio growth, 2026 business planningHashtags#FemaleEmPOWERed #BoutiqueFitness #PilatesBusiness #WomenInBusiness #StudioOwner #SellableBusiness #BusinessSystems #FitBizAccelerator #ChristaGurka

Why Client Poaching Isn’t the Real Problem in Your Studio (and What To Fix Instead)Hosted by: Christa Gurka, PT, OCS | Fit Biz StrategiesIf you've ever panicked because a client followed an instructor out the door… or you’ve worried that an instructor is “stealing” clients… this episode is going to flip that narrative on its head.Inside our boutique fitness and wellness studios, client poaching feels personal — but it’s actually a symptom of deeper operational issues. And the good news? You can fix them.In today’s episode, Christa breaks down why poaching happens, what’s really driving client loyalty (hint: it’s not what you think), and how to build a brand-first, team-centered system that keeps clients AND instructors loyal to your studio — not just one star player.Whether you run a Pilates studio, private practice PT clinic, yoga studio, or any wellness brick-and-mortar, this is a MUST-listen as you head into 2026.✨ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy “client poaching” is not an instructor problem — it’s a systems problemThe #1 hiring mistake most studio owners make (and how it leads to client loss later)How unclear onboarding creates blurred boundaries, confusion, and client attachment to individualsWhy clients start identifying instructors — not your studio — as the “product”How to flip your culture from star instructors to one cohesive teamWhat healthy studio ecosystems look like (and what broken ones look like)The systems Christa used at Pilates in the Grove to maintain brand loyaltyExactly what expectations, policies, and boundaries need to be in placeHow to create a culture where clients feel connected to the brand, not one personThe essential contracts every studio should have (even with ICs!)Leadership questions to ask yourself before blaming an instructorWhy 2026 must be the year you build or rebuild your foundations🔥 Key Topics CoveredOnboarding mistakes that lead to client attachment issuesHow to set expectations around communication, scheduling, and boundariesBrand-first language that reinforces “our clients,” not “my clients”Building a team identity using mission, vision, and valuesSystems that prevent instructors from becoming irreplaceable “stars”Leadership habits that reinforce consistency and clarityWhat to say when clients want to follow an instructorHow lack of systems leads to drama, confusion, and turnover📌 Why This Episode MattersIf you’ve ever felt:“My clients only want THAT instructor.”“I’m scared to lose revenue if someone leaves.”“I don’t want people texting my instructors directly.”“I feel like I’m losing control of my studio.”Then what you’re really missing is the ecosystem that protects your business, creates brand loyalty, and sets clear expectations from day one.This episode will help you rebuild your foundation so you can scale confidently — with systems that support your team, your clients, and the long-term value of your business.🔑 Episode Quote to Remember“Client poaching isn’t the problem — it’s the symptom. When you fix your systems, culture, and expectations, loyalty shifts back to your brand.”📣 Want More Support Building a Sellable, Sustainable Studio?Inside Fit Biz Strategies, Christa helps female boutique fitness and wellness owners build profitable businesses with systems, structure, and clarity — without burning out.👉 Follow @christagurka on Instagram 👉 Explore coaching programs at christagurka.com 👉 Join the Female emPOWERED community for more conversations like this

Are you tired of feeling like every month you’re starting from zero in your business? In this episode of Female emPOWERED, host Christa Gurka breaks down one of the most important lessons she learned while preparing to sell her multi-seven-figure studio: not all revenue is created equal.Christa walks you through her Revenue Ladder — a framework that helps you understand where your income is really coming from and how stable it is. You’ll learn the five types of revenue that exist inside boutique fitness and wellness businesses, how to move up the ladder toward more predictable, recurring income, and why recurring revenue is the foundation of a business that’s sellable, scalable, and sustainable.Whether you own a Pilates studio, yoga space, or private pay PT clinic, this episode will help you move out of the feast-and-famine cycle and start creating peace-of-mind profits every month.💡 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy recurring revenue matters more than total revenueThe 5 levels of revenue quality — from transactional to contractually recurringHow to move from inconsistent class packs to predictable membershipsWays to make leaving harder than staying for your clientsHow recurring revenue increases the value and sellability of your businessSimple action steps to audit your current income and set 2026 revenue goals🧭 Key TakeawaysContractually recurring revenue (like long-term memberships or subleases) is the gold standard — it gives you predictable cash flow and peace of mind.Non-contractual recurring revenue (auto-pays or subscriptions) is still strong, but retention systems are key.Repeat or package revenue requires manual renewals — add automation or upsells to strengthen it.Cohort and seasonal programs can be great entry points but should feed into long-term memberships.Transactional one-offs (drop-ins, pop-ups, retail) should make up less than 5% of your revenue.🧮 Christa’s Action StepsAudit your last 90 days of revenue. What percentage is recurring vs. one-off?Set a goal to have at least 50% of your income come from recurring sources in 2026.Incentivize upgrades — reward your team for converting package clients into memberships.Celebrate retention — spotlight clients who hit milestones or stay consistent.Forecast with confidence — use your predictable income to plan hiring, marketing, and growth.🔗 Resources MentionedFit Biz StrategiesLearn about Christa’s Inner Circle Mentorship for boutique fitness and wellness ownersGet the Revenue Ladder Audit Worksheet (coming soon to Fit Biz Strategies members)🗣️ Connect with ChristaInstagram: @christagurkaWebsite: www.christagurka.comPodcast: Female emPOWERED🔍 SEO Keywordsrevenue ladder, recurring revenue for fitness studios, boutique fitness business tips, Pilates studio revenue, how to make predictable income, fitness business systems, value builder coaching, sellable fitness business, cash flow planning, studio memberships vs packages

In this episode of the Female emPOWERed podcast, I’m recapping the 2025 Women in Wellness Business Summit we just wrapped in Miami — two days of honest conversations, strategy, and big vision planning for women who own boutique fitness and wellness businesses.If you’re a Pilates studio owner, pelvic health physical therapist, yoga or barre studio owner, gym owner, or hybrid wellness practice, this recap will help you audit 2025 and create a real, numbers-backed plan for 2026.Inside, I break down:The year-in-review framework I used in my own studios to assess what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to changeHow we used my revenue and profit calculator so each attendee left knowing exactly how many visits, classes, or sessions per week they need to hit their salary + profit goalsWhat our finance panel shared about retirement savings, paying yourself, profit margins, and preparing your books if you ever want to sellPractical, local-service marketing tips from our marketing panel, including how to leverage AI, reviews, and low-cost strategies in 2026What our sale & acquisition panel revealed about exit options for “normal-sized” studios and how smaller businesses can grow through acquisitionWhy I believe events like this are more than business conferences — they’re about collaboration over competition and creating true freedom for womenI also share a personal perspective on selling a boutique studio, what a realistic exit can look like (even in the mid-six figures), and how that can still create long-term wealth and options for you and your family.Finally, I introduce my newest mentorship program, the Fit Biz Accelerator, designed for women already at or above $100K/year who are ready to stop DIY-ing and start building real structure, systems, strategy, and sustainability with live support and weekly implementation.🔗 Get on the Fit Biz Accelerator Waitlist:christagurka.com/accelerator🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode on your favorite podcast app and tag me @christagurka if you’re tuning in — I love seeing where you’re listening from!⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome & why this summit matters02:00 – Who was in the room: Pilates, PT, yoga, hybrid wellness & more03:30 – The 2025 year-in-review process we used05:20 – Revenue, profit, and capacity: using the calculator08:30 – Turning goals into weekly visits, classes, and sessions10:50 – Finance panel: profit, retirement, and preparing to sell13:40 – Marketing panel: reviews, AI, and local service marketing16:50 – Sale & acquisition panel: realistic exits and growth via acquisition20:00 – Why selling your studio is possible (even if it’s not 8 figures)22:30 – Collaboration over competition & building better lives24:30 – Introducing the Fit Biz Accelerator26:30 – How to join the waitlist + early-bird paid ads training bonus28:20 – A huge thank you & what’s nextYouTube Keywords (for tags)women in wellness summit, women in wellness business summit, boutique fitness business, pilates studio owner, physical therapy private practice, pelvic health business, wellness studio business coach, fitness studio business coaching, pilates business mentor, brick and mortar marketing, local service business marketing, fitness studio financials, revenue calculator for studios, profit planning for studios, selling a pilates studio, boutique fitness acquisition, exit strategy for studio owners, women entrepreneurship, female business owners, Krista Gurka, Female emPOWERed podcast, Fit Biz Accelerator, business retreat for fitness professionals, 2026 business planning, wellness studio systems and strategy

Thinking about hiring a marketing agency for your boutique fitness or wellness business? In this episode, Christa Gurka shares exactly what you need to know before you spend a single dollar on paid ads.Christa breaks down the essential marketing metrics and strategies every studio owner should understand — from CPC, CPA, and CAC to lifetime value (LTV) and conversion rates — so you can make informed decisions and avoid wasting money.Whether you run a Pilates studio, yoga studio, or private-pay PT clinic, this episode will help you become confident in your marketing conversations, know what red flags to watch for, and understand how to measure real results from your ad spend.👉 Listen in to learn:What marketing agencies can and can’t fix for your businessThe biggest red flags when hiring an agencyThe difference between CPC, CPA, CAC, and LTV (and why they matter)How to calculate your ideal marketing budget based on annual revenueHow to know when you’re ready to run paid adsWhy strong backend systems and offers matter more than ad creativeHow to track conversions and optimize your ad funnelThe importance of owning your data and understanding key metricsIf you’ve ever felt confused about marketing terms or unsure if your ads are actually working, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your marketing strategy.🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:Free Marketing Metrics Cheat Sheet: www.christagurka.com/marketingmetrics Get Christa’s simple guide to understanding marketing terms, calculating key numbers, and evaluating your ad performance.Join the Fit Biz Community: Learn the business, leadership, and financial skills that help boutique fitness owners scale profitably — for just $99/month.Visit www.christagurka.com for upcoming programs launching in 2026 designed to help you build smarter, more profitable businesses.💡 Key Takeaway:A marketing agency can amplify what’s already working — but it can’t fix unclear messaging, broken systems, or a weak offer. When you understand your own data and metrics, you stay in control of your ROI and your growth.🔍 SEO Keywords:marketing agency for fitness studios, boutique fitness marketing, how to hire a marketing agency, marketing metrics for Pilates studios, paid ads for wellness businesses, CAC and LTV explained, Christa Gurka podcast, Fit Biz Strategies, Female emPOWERED podcast