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Hey Champs, this episode is for the community studio owner who’s doing it all—and wondering how to stay on top of it. From calendar color-coding to project boards that actually get things done, I’m sharing my real-world strategy for getting out of overwhelm and into action. This is the system I use for myself and with my coaching clients, especially those juggling teaching, marketing, staffing, and still trying to have a life.

If you're juggling all the hats and feeling like you’re dropping more than a few, this one's for you.

In this episode, I share:

• Why your calendar is your lifeline (and how I color-code mine)
• What a studio owner's week should feel like—energy mapping 101
• My fave method for task management (Trello board setup included)
• The one phrase my business coach gave me that changed everything
• How I stay focused with time blocking, quiet headphones, and even stretch breaks
• Why “structure isn’t restrictive—it’s freeing”

Takeaway Quote:
"If it’s in your head, it’s on your board. That’s how we get sh*t done." – Michael Jay

Links Mentioned:
→ Free coaching call: https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink
→ Trello (free project management tool): https://trello.com

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In this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, Michael Jay sits down with Tyler Valencia—fitness educator, tech-savvy marketer, and founder of KipsOnline.org—to talk about how yoga studio owners can master visibility in a digital-first world.

Tyler breaks down the most overlooked marketing strategies that are totally free, shockingly underused, and incredibly effective—like Google Reviews, Yelp listings, and smart SEO. This isn’t about being trendy—it’s about making sure your studio gets found by the people actively searching for what you offer.

Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, these are the tactics that boost your discoverability, build trust, and help students say YES before they ever walk through your doors.

In this practical episode, we talk about:

• Why reviews are more powerful than word-of-mouth ever was

• How to set up your Google Business Profile (and why you absolutely should)

• Easy automations that get your members to leave glowing reviews

• What platforms really matter—and which ones are fading fast

• How SEO connects all your efforts (including your social media)

• A smarter way to repurpose blog content, YouTube, and Reels

• The visibility mistake studio owners keep making with their online presence

• If you’ve ever thought “I’m bad at marketing”—this episode will show you where to start and how to fix it.

Connect with Tyler Valencia:
Website: https://kipsonline.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tylervalencia_/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TylerValenciaFitness
Podcast: KIPS Podcast

📞 Ready to launch or grow your yoga studio with clarity and confidence?

Book a free 30-minute strategy call with Michael Jay at yogabizchamp.com/podlink and get personalized support tailored to where you are now—and where you want to go.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Download the Offering Tree SEO Checklist Here

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

What does a former hobby project turned all-in-one studio platform have to teach us about the future of yoga studios?

In this episode, I chat with Eddie Arpin, co-founder of OfferingTree and a longtime partner of mine in supporting studio owners. We go beyond software to talk about what actually drives success for yoga studio owners today. From the rise of Zoom and automation to the hidden accountability gap in many studios, Eddie brings a grounded, real-world perspective that new and seasoned owners alike will benefit from.

This is a must-listen if you're planning to open a studio—or feel like you’re running one on fumes.

“The studios that thrive aren’t the ones with the perfect setup—they’re the ones with the clearest vision and consistent follow-through.” – Eddie Arpin

Topics We Cover:

• The behind-the-scenes journey from side project to studio platform
• What changed in the yoga industry post-2020—and what hasn’t
• How new studio owners can avoid the tech trap
• Why accountability (not features) is the game changer
• Eddie’s favorite “studio hero” story and what made it work
• How automation, marketing, and reporting are evolving in 2025

🔗 Resources & Links:
Learn more about OfferingTree
Book your free strategy call with Michael Jay: www.yogabizchamp.com/book
Download the Ultimate Yoga Studio Business Plan: www.yogabizchamp.com/businessplan
Catch up on past episodes: www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink

🙏 Sponsors:
OfferingTree – Tech built with yoga studios in mind
Boutique Business Brokers – Your go-to for buying or selling a studio
The Sales Arms – Helping yoga studios close more leads with less stress

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Download the Offering Tree SEO Checklist Here

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

“Until you find your why, everything else is external.” – Arundhati Baitmangalkar

What happens when you build a studio without a business plan—but with a rock-solid purpose? In this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, I sit down with Arundhati Baitmangalkar, the founder of Aham Yoga and host of the Let's Talk Yoga podcast, to talk about the deep-rooted why behind everything she does.

We go beyond the surface of yoga studio ownership and get into what really sustains a teacher or studio owner long-term. From teaching her first community class to leading international trainings, Arundhati’s clarity around her mission—to teach and be of impact—is what’s kept her grounded, energized, and successful for over a decade.

In this honest, heart-forward conversation, we talk about:

• How your “why” becomes your compass when everything else feels unclear
• Why she started small—and why that was her biggest advantage
• Moving from yoga teacher to team leader with integrity
• Redefining boundaries, burnout, and what success actually looks like
• Creating content and showing up online in a way that feels aligned
• How to build systems, not chaos, even if you’re a one-person show
• Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, over it, or just overthinking your next move—this episode is your nudge to come back to your why.

🎧 Tune in now: yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Connect with Arundhati:
📍 Studio: Aham Yoga https://www.ahamyoga.com
🎧 Podcast: Let's Talk Yoga
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/arundhati.baitmangalkar

Connect with Michael Jay:
💼 Business coaching & free resources: www.yogabizchamp.link/podlink
📸 Instagram: www.instagramcom/yogabizchamp

🔥 If this episode hit home, share it with a studio owner or teacher who’s ready to reconnect with their purpose.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Download the Offering Tree SEO Checklist Here

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

"You can't be everything to everyone, but you can be something amazing to someone." – Christina Garcia

In this episode, Michael Jay talks with Christina Garcia, owner of Yoga for One, a niche yoga studio located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Christina shares how her personal journey through yoga, initially sparked by recovery from injury, guided her to opening a uniquely positioned, Christ-inspired studio. She discusses the challenges and rewards of serving a niche community, staying true to core values, and practical insights for creating targeted marketing and meaningful connections.

Key Highlights:

• Christina’s transformative experience with yoga after injury.

• How clearly defined niche positioning helps a yoga studio thrive.

• Overcoming hurdles specific to launching and growing a niche yoga business.

• Practical tips for community building and impactful marketing.

• The importance of staying aligned with your mission and values.

Connect with Christina:

Website: Yoga for One https://www.yogafourone.com

Instagram: Instagramcom/yoga4.1


Ready to start or grow your yoga studio?

Book a free strategy call with Michael Jay: https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Follow Yoga Biz Champ on Instagram: instagram.com/yogabizchamp

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Download the Offering Tree SEO Checklist Here

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

Michael Jay sits down with Rebecca Sebastian—founder of WorkingInYoga.com and owner of Sunlight Yoga & Apothecary—to explore real-world challenges around fair pay, teacher retention, and sustainable growth. Drawing on her experience as both a studio owner and industry advocate, Rebecca shares why shifting from contractors to employees can cultivate a more consistent student experience, foster teacher loyalty, and create healthier business practices. Whether you’re contemplating compensation structures or simply aiming to strengthen your culture, this episode is packed with insights for building a thriving, people-first yoga business.

Key Topics

Rebecca’s Journey
How she went from dedicated teacher to advocate for fair labor practices in yoga.

Pay & Compensation
Why it’s crucial to rethink “per-class contractor” pay in favor of transparent models that impact finances and teacher morale.

Teacher Retention & Workplace Culture
Strategies for keeping teachers motivated and committed—like coaching, mentorship, and community-building.

Balancing Revenue & Mission
Tips for finding the sweet spot between running a profitable business and staying true to your values.

Advice for New & Growing Studios
Fundamental steps—like crafting clear mission, vision, and values—for hiring (and keeping) the right team.

Quote
“You’re hiring teachers to deliver a really good class. You’re not hiring them to market for you. That’s your job. Pay them fairly for the job you want them to do.” – Rebecca Sebastian

About Rebecca Sebastian
Rebecca is the founder of WorkingInYoga.com, a platform dedicated to fair labor practices, pay equity, and community-building in yoga. She also owns Sunlight Yoga & Apothecary, implementing transparent pay, mentorship, and robust teacher support.

Resources & Next Steps

Connect with Rebecca: WorkingInYoga.com

Connect with Michael Jay: YogaBizChamp.link/podlink

Enjoying the Podcast?
Please subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite platform!

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

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Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

Michael Jay welcomes Jivana Heyman, founder of Accessible Yoga and a leading voice for inclusive teaching. Jivana shares how AIDS activism drew him back to yoga, eventually centering his work on adaptive classes for marginalized communities. They discuss how studio owners can remove physical, financial, and cultural barriers to help “every body” feel a true sense of belonging.

Key Points

Jivana’s Journey
Learned yoga from his grandmother; returned to it during the AIDS crisis for self-care.
Taught at a San Francisco hospital for people with HIV/AIDS, refining accessible teaching methods.
What Is Accessible Yoga?
Goes beyond props—embraces universal design, inclusive class titles, and deeper yogic teachings.
Recognizes that physical ability doesn’t correlate to inner peace.
Studio Culture & Community
Cultivate a welcoming space: chairs, flexible pricing, clear class descriptions.
Focus on relationships—small gestures like introducing newcomers can transform the studio vibe.
Practical Tips
Offer variations in mixed-level classes.
Provide short private sessions for absolute beginners before group classes.
Couch and chair yoga can encourage home practice and draw in more diverse populations.
Resources & Links
https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/couch-yoga/
https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/training
https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/accessible-yoga-podcast-30-years
https://www.instagram.com/jivanaheyman/

About Jivana Heyman
Founder of Accessible Yoga, author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body and Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage and Compassion. Through workshops, trainings, and events, he promotes an inclusive approach to yoga’s deeper message of unity and social justice.

Connect with Michael Jay
Subscribe to the Yoga Biz Champ Podcast for more expert insights on growing your yoga business. Ready to dive deeper?
Visit YogaBizChamp.link/podlink to book a call and explore coaching options.

Book a call with Chris from the Sales Arms with my direct link to his calendar

Download the Offering Tree SEO Checklist Here

Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
https://yogabizchamp.link/podlink

Text me Your email for my Booking Link

n this episode of Yoga Biz Champ, I sit down with powerhouse studio owner Samantha Harrison from Yoga Strong in Greenville, NC. Samantha has built a thriving yoga business by blending yoga and strength training, embracing her niche, and doubling down on business strategy. We discuss how she transitioned from a small backroom space to a bright, bustling studio, the power of niching, and how coaching, team support, and smart software choices helped take her business to the next level.

If you're a yoga studio owner looking to refine your business model, strengthen your niche, and scale your studio with confidence, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can use!

Key Points:

🔥 Niching for Success: How Samantha carved out a unique space by blending yoga & strength training.
💡 The Studio Growth Journey: From a tiny backroom to a thriving, fully booked studio.
📣 Marketing & Social Media: How Samantha confidently shows up online and attracts the right students.
📊 Betting on Business Systems: Why she invested in coaching, software, and hiring the right team.
🚀 Stepping Into Leadership: Transitioning from solo teacher to empowered studio leader.

Episode Highlights:

• Samantha’s journey from private classes & corporate yoga to running a full-scale studio.
• The challenge of transitioning from a class series model to a membership model—and why it worked.
• The role of OfferingTree in streamlining her operations.
• The power of knowing your audience and ignoring feedback that doesn’t align with your niche.
• How investing in coaching, bookkeeping, and virtual assistants has transformed her business.

Quotes:

💬 “If you know your market and who you're meant to serve, don’t change what you’re doing just because of outside opinions.” – Samantha Harrison
💬 “Marketing is like throwing a party—you have to send the invitations, or no one will show up.” – Michael Jay
💬 “I knew I could spend years figuring things out—or I could hire a coach and expedite the process.” – Samantha Harrison

Actionable Insights:

✅ Get Clear on Your Niche: The more specific you are, the more successful your studio will be.
✅ Leverage Social Media: Show up consistently, embrace video, and connect with your ideal students.
✅ Invest in Smart Business Systems: Tools like OfferingTree can simplify admin, so you can focus on teaching.
✅ Hire Support Early: Whether it's a bookkeeper, a VA, or a coach—outsourcing can help you scale faster.

Connect with Samantha & Yoga Strong:

📸 Instagram: @YogaStrongNC
🌎 Website: YogaStrongNC.com
📘 Facebook: Yoga Strong NC

🎧 Listen & Watch Now!

🔗 Listen to the full episode on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube – Links in bio!

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube: [Insert YouTube Link]

🚀

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Book a call with Mitch McGinley from the Boutique Fitness Brokers with my link. BOOK WITH MITCH HERE

FREE RESOURCES AND BOOK A CHAT LINK
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