The Truth About Opening a Studio
There are so many Pole and Aerial Studios opening up all over the world. It is exciting to see because it means the community is growing and people are eager to learn! I took the leap July 8th, 2019 and earned the title Studio Owner. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Everyone’s story is different. Here is mine.
Where do I begin…
I have wanted to open a studio since the very beginning of my pole journey 8 years ago. I knew I didn’t just want to open it right away. I have seen businesses come and go and I didn’t want that to be my story so I waited until things aligned with my life and felt completely ready. Over the 8 years, I perfected my craft, grew as a performer and competitor, and also spent years learning the ins and outs of how to properly run a business. Basically, I put in the work. From being a work-study at a studio in NYC to taking business class, I knew to make this successful, it was going to require more than finding a space, throwing up some poles and calling it a Studio. The Aerial Loft has been open 7 months and it has already been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Seeing students enter and exit the doors with smiling faces brings so much happiness.
Here goes the honest truth…
Running a business is hard! Let me say that again...Running a business is hard! You will face challenges every single day. From clients, to landlords, to your own personal life challenges. I will say I have been handling the stress so much better than I ever expected. I am growing in ways I never imagined. One of the hardest struggles is balancing personal life and running a studio. I always feel like if I give one too much attention, then the other suffers. In the beginning I was having a hard time having a personal life because I would feel really guilty if I did anything other than work on my business. I’ve been learning that there has to be balance because it can really affect your own mental health. I do not have a set schedule of when I work on my business. I work when I need to get something done. I do however have a schedule for my personal life. I plan my gym days, my days off to relax, and my own training time. This has helped me tremendously!
The struggle they don’t tell you about...
Yes other studio owners say the business is hard but the biggest struggle I faced when initially wanting to open was looking for the right location! Emotionally, that was the toughest part for me and the process drained me in more ways than I would like to say. DO NOT get your heart set on one specific space until you have written signatures on paper and the lease is signed. Things change instantly when renting spaces. I had my heart set on three different places all at different times. I would go view the space, instantly fall in love, plan the entire layout of the studio, and want to make a deal immediately! A day or two later I would get a call saying they are going in a different direction or signed with someone else. Things happen. Landlords change their mind, someone else put in a better offer, landlords thinking I’m too young to run a business. You name it, I heard it. The struggle was REAL. In the end, I am so glad that I didn't rent from those other places. I would have drowned with the price of rent. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even If my heart had to be broken three times.
Be prepared to teach A LOT in the beginning…
I am teaching about 12 classes right now. You are the owner. The students are excited to be in class with you. You are the one who will get them in the doors and keep coming back. Upon first opening, having a huge staff with a bunch of instructors is not financially realistic so you will be teaching a large portion of the classes. As the business grows, you will eventually cut back.
There is no set of right answers or ways to start a business. I definitely don’t have all the answers. No one is going to hold you hand or give you handouts. This is your dream so you are the one who has to see it through.
Here are a few tips that helped me!
Set Boundaries!
Do yourself a favor and get a seperate phone with a different phone number. Clients do not actually realize that you have a life outside of the studio walls. You do NOT want people calling your personal number. If you set boundaries from the day the doors open, it will give you peace of mind and also show people how you would like to be treated. You can’t be best friends with everyone. The sooner you realize that, the smoother the business will be for you.
Build a team
You can’t do it all by yourself! You do not want to burn out before the studio doors even open. Get help and delegate tasks. I had all hands on deck. Family members and close friends were in my corner and ready to help. Ask them before you venture out and have another added expense.
Create a business plan.
It doesn’t have to be a 10 page plan. It doesn’t have to be set in stone. People see the words business plan and think it is this elaborate big to do. Take your time, research other plans online, do not stress, give yourself a timeline for when you would like to get it done and just do it.
Make sure this is something you really want and dedicate your life to.
Not every day is going to be great. You will cry and have really bad days. There is no way to be prepared for everything that will come your way but if this is your passion and your love, that is what will keep you going every day! I love The Aerial Loft. I put everything I had into it and day by day I experience the benefits. The community in the studio is better than I ever imagined and I am excited to see it continue to blossom with new faces!