Studio Owners.... tell me your good, bad and ugly

[skepticyogi]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the board, and relatively new to a "serious practice". I'm thinking of taking a new career direction, and opening a yoga studio in either the bay area, or san diego.

I would really appreciate your rants, raves and must-know advice about opening a studio, building and retaining a client base, and managing various teachers. More specifically, here are some questions if you have thoughts...

I'm a marketer by trade with a good head for biz and hope to leverage this experience in opening a studio, hiring teachers with existing followers and building my business this way. I'm currenly not a certified teacher, but plan to start my training in Jan 08. Do you think this is a dangerous way to approach a new business venture?

I will put a spin on my studio that will appeal to "mainstreamers" or those who are skeptical or intimidated by yoga - also deal with niche groups like runners, triathletes, seniors etc. Am I limiting myself this way? My truest feeling is that yoga is for everyone, not just the fit, the flexible, and the new agers. There is a huge untapped market out there that rolls their eyes when you bring yoga up around them. I want that market!!!

I'm ultimately looking for a revenue generating operation that will sustain me as I build a market for myself in book writing, speaking and program development in overall wellness. My hope is to spend time managing the studio, marketing services and developing creative ideas to expand yoga mindshare in western culture, and spend less or no time actually teaching. Is this realistic?

Any thoughts or perspective you can provide will be appreciated.

Namaste!

[tentoes]

Sat Nam!

Your "concept" sounds similar in some ways to my own. My studio (in Australia) is now in its second week of operation.

My biggest challenges have been:

1. finding appropriate space that didn't require a lot of capital investment to fit out

2. finding teachers that fit the culture I want to create

3. actually, finding teachers at ALL!

I, too, am a Marketer by 'trade' and this has been the easier part for me. I was able to give my designer a clear brief of the 'look and feel' I wanted to create and the functionality of my communications collateral, website etc.

I do think being a teacher myself is helpful - it gives me insight into my teachers' worlds as well as a deeper understanding of the relationship between teacher and student (I've been both!).

I also believe a serious practice is paramount - you'll need to rely heavily on your intuition and power to manifest!

I wish you success!

Rachel

[skepticyogi]

thanks so much for you response! I'd love to hear how things are going for you and how you are activily establishing a clientele base.

Please keep me posted!

Cheers