Shows
Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 326: The Real Reason You’re Overworked: You’re Doing the Wrong WorkYou’re Not Overworked — You’re Doing the Wrong WorkFemale emPOWERED Podcast with Christa GurkaIf you feel exhausted, behind, and busy all day but somehow not moving forward, this episode is for you.In this episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down the real reason so many boutique fitness, Pilates, and private-pay PT owners feel burned out — and it’s not because you’re lazy, bad at business, or not working hard enough.You’re overworked because you’re doing work that no longer belong...
2026-02-1727 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 325: Your Classes Are Full… So Why Aren’t You Profitable?Busy but Broke? How to Calculate True Profitability in Your StudioPodcast: Female Empowered Podcast Host: Christa Gurka, PT, Founder of Fit Biz StrategiesEpisode SummaryAre your classes full, your schedule packed, and your studio constantly busy—yet there’s still no money in the bank?In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down why utilization does NOT equal profitability and walks studio owners through the exact math needed to understand their real revenue quality. If you’ve ever said...
2026-02-1027 min
Psikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetAnksiyeteye Hangi Spor Daha İyi Gelir? Bilimsel Araştırmalar Ne Diyor?Bu bölümde Klinik Psikolog Barış Gürkaş, anksiyete yaşayan birçok kişinin merak ettiği önemli bir soruya yanıt arıyor: Koşmak mı daha etkili, yoga mı, yoksa ağırlık çalışmak mı? Egzersizin kaygıyı azalttığı sıkça dile getirilir. Ancak asıl mesele şu:Her egzersiz türü her anksiyete türü için aynı derecede faydalı mı? Bu bölümde kişisel deneyimlerden çok bilimsel veriler konuşuluyor. İçerik, BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine dergisinde yayımlanan kapsamlı bir araştırmanın bulgularına dayanıyor. Konuşulan başlıklar arasında şunlar var:Anksiyet...
2026-02-0907 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 314: Women in Wellness Summit 2025 Recap: Planning Your 2026 Profit, Freedom & Exit OptionsIn 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...
2025-11-2531 minPsikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetPsikologlara En Çok Sorulan Soruları Sorduk! Barış Gürkaş Ofis Vlog’uMerhaba sevgili dinleyiciler,Ben Barış Gürkaş. Bu bölümde sizlerle oldukça merak edilen bir konunun kapılarını aralıyoruz: psikologlar, terapi süreci ve ruhsal denge. “Psikologlar bizi ilk bakışta anlar mı?”“Terapistler kendilerini nasıl dengede tutar?”“Onlar da zorlanır mı?” İşte bu soruların cevaplarını, psikologlarla gerçekleştirdiğimiz samimi bir ofis sohbetinde ele aldık. Bugün sizleri terapi odasının kapısının ardına, mesleğin görünmeyen tarafına ve psikolojik dayanıklılığın önemine doğru kısa ama etkili bir yolculuğa çıkarıyoruz. -Psikologlar g...
2025-11-2411 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 313: What to know if you are hiring a digital marketing agencyThinking 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...
2025-11-1828 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 312: What You’re Really Paying For — and the ROI of Giving Yourself Space to GrowHave you ever wondered what people are really paying for when they work with you? In this week’s episode of Female emPOWERED, host Christa Gurka shares insights sparked by a recent VIP Day in Atlanta with Ashley Brock and a powerful group of women entrepreneurs — plus a timely reminder from Denise Duffield-Thomas’s Chill & Prosper podcast.This episode dives deep into the real value behind your services, the transformative power of investing in mentorship, and how giving yourself space to think (not just do) can completely change the trajectory of your business.Whet...
2025-11-1126 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 311: How to Spot the Difference Between a Marketing Problem and an Operations ProblemNot sure why your business isn’t growing — or where the problem actually is? In this episode of Female emPOWERED, host Christa Gurka breaks down how to diagnose problems inside your boutique fitness or wellness business so you can fix the right thing — not just the most obvious thing.Too often, studio owners say “my marketing isn’t working” when the real issue is a gap in their sales system or operations process. Just like identifying the root cause of a client’s pain, you need to know whether your business...
2025-11-0423 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 310: Avoiding HR Headaches: Scheduling Do’s and Don’ts for Boutique Fitness Studios with HR Expert Katie SantosConfused about whether your team should be classified as employees or independent contractors? You’re not alone — and getting it wrong can cost you big time. In this episode of Female emPOWERED, host Christa Gurka sits down with returning guest Katie Santos, founder of FitnessHR, to unpack everything studio and wellness business owners need to know about HR compliance, classification, and protecting your business.Together, Christa and Katie break down real-world examples from Pilates, yoga, and physical therapy studios, explain what the IRS and state laws actually look for, and share acti...
2025-10-2858 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 309: How to Build a Website That Attracts Clients: SEO & Design Tips with Jessica FreemanIn this episode of Female emPOWERED, Christa sits down with website designer and SEO expert Jess Freeman, the creative behind both the Pilates in the Grove and Christa Gurka websites. Together, they unpack exactly what makes a boutique fitness or wellness website stand out in 2025—and what you need to prioritize to attract more clients and rank higher on Google.Jess shares her proven process for stress-free website builds, her favorite platforms for service-based businesses, and her expert insights into SEO for local studios, clinics, and wellness professionals.If you’ve ever...
2025-10-2140 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 308: Afraid to Niche Down? How to Make the Transition With ConfidenceIn this week’s Female emPOWERED episode, Christa breaks down one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—decisions you’ll ever make as a boutique fitness or wellness business owner: finding your niche.If you’ve ever worried that niching down means turning clients away, leaving money on the table, or boxing yourself in, this episode will change your perspective. Christa shares why narrowing your focus actually expands your impact and profitability, how to identify your ideal client, and what it really takes to become the go-to expert in your area.This is the episod...
2025-10-1433 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 307: Utilization Rates for New Team Members: What's Good?Female emPOWERED Podcast | Episode 307 🎙️ How to Ramp Up New Hires Without Killing Your Profit MarginAre you staring at your new team member’s half-empty schedule and wondering, “Did I make a mistake?” You’re not alone — and you’re not losing money (even if it feels like it). In this episode, Christa Gurka walks you through how to set realistic utilization expectations for new instructors or clinicians, how to design smart compensation structures, and what you can do if your new hire isn’t meeting targets.Whether you’ve just hired a Pilates instructor...
2025-10-0724 minPsikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetKişisel Gelişim Takıntısı: Ruh Sağlığını Sessizce Tüketiyor!Kişisel gelişim faydalıdır... ama fazlası bazen kaygı, tükenmişlik, sürekli yetersizlik hissi ve ilişkilerde kopukluk yaratabilir.Bu bölümde Klinik Psikolog Barış Gürkaş ile birlikte, “sağlıklı gelişim” ile “takıntı” arasındaki ince çizgiyi keşfediyoruz. Peki, nerede durmamız gerektiğini nasıl anlayabiliriz?Bu soruya yanıt ararken, bilimsel bulgularla birlikte şu başlıkları ele alıyoruz:“Daha fazla” her zaman “daha iyi” değildir: Yeterlilik eşiği belirlemekHer hedefin bir bedeli vardır: Uyku, sosyal bağlar, esenlikGerçek gelişimin yakıtı: Öz-şefkat ve ritim, suçluluk değilSosyal medya et...
2025-09-2908 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 305: How to Transition a Client To Another Team MemberWelcome back to another episode of Female emPOWERED, the podcast for female boutique fitness and wellness business owners. I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving into one of the toughest leadership challenges for studio and clinic owners: how to transition clients from your personal schedule to a new team member’s schedule—without losing trust, clients, or revenue.If you’ve ever felt nervous about handing off your long-time Pilates clients, physical therapy patients, or yoga students to a new instructor, this episode is for you. We’ll unpack th...
2025-09-2326 minPsikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetYeme Bozukluğunu Yönet: İstek Dalgasını TanıMerhaba, hoş geldiniz.Bugün, birçok kişinin hayatını zorlaştıran bir konudan, yeme bozukluklarından ve özellikle de dürtüsel yeme ile tıkanırcasına yeme döngüsünden bahsedeceğiz. Mutfağa girip tatlıyı gördüğünüzde bir anda yükselen o istek... İşte tam da bu noktada neler olduğunu, aslında dürtünün açlıktan farklı bir şey olduğunu birlikte keşfedeceğiz. Duyguların bir dalga gibi geldiğini ve geçtiğini hatırlayacağız. Ve o dalgayı fark ettiğimizde seçim alanımızın genişlediğini, kontrolün biraz dah...
2025-09-2207 minPsikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetToksik İlişkiler: Ruhsal Sağlığımıza Etkileri ve Çıkış YollarıToksik ilişkiler, ruhsal sağlığımızı olumsuz etkileyen ve bizi en çok yıpratan ilişki türlerinden biridir. Bu bölümde Klinik Psikolog Barış Gürkaş, toksik ilişkilerin nasıl anlaşılabileceğini, psikolojik olarak bizde ne tür izler bırakabileceğini ve bu ilişkilerden sağlıklı bir şekilde nasıl uzaklaşabileceğimizi anlatıyor. 🎧 Bu bölümde konuşulan başlıklar:Toksik ilişki nedir?Toksik ilişkilerin psikolojik etkileriToksik ilişkilerden çıkmanın yollarıSağlıklı ilişki kurma ipuçlarıEğer siz de toksik bir ilişkide olduğunuzu düşünüyorsanız veya çevrenizde b...
2025-09-1509 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 301: Revenue Streams: Workshops for Technicians:🎙️ Female emPOWERED Podcast Episode: How Hosting Workshops Can Grow Your Revenue, Community & CredibilityEpisode Summary: In this episode, Christa Gurka shares everything studio owners need to know about hosting in-house workshops — not just attending them. If you’ve been searching for new ways to increase revenue, train your team, and build your brand’s authority in your local wellness community, workshops may be your next power move.Christa breaks down exactly how and why hosting workshops (for clients and instructors) can be a profitable and strategic t...
2025-08-2627 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 299: Boutique Fitness Exits: What Every Studio Owner Needs to Know Before Selling, with Mitch McGinley the Boutique Fitness BrokerEpisode Summary:Thinking about selling your fitness or wellness business one day? This episode is a must-listen. Christa Gurka sits down with Mitch McGinley, founder of Boutique Fitness Broker, to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons learned from her own seven-figure studio sale.Together, they explore what makes a business truly sellable, how deal structures are formed, what to expect during due diligence, and how SBA financing, SDE, and EBITDA play into your valuation. They also get real about the emotional rollercoaster of letting go — from collapsed deals to closing day relief....
2025-08-121h 06Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 298: You Can’t Scale What You’re Still Managing - How to go from Overwhelmed Operator to Strategic LeaderIn this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka tackles one of the most important mindset shifts a wellness entrepreneur can make: moving from being an operator to becoming a true business owner. If you're feeling stuck in the daily grind, overwhelmed by decision fatigue, or like your business can’t function without you - this episode is for you.Christa shares insights from her own journey of growing Pilates in the Grove from a hands-on, owner-run business to a scalable company with a strategic foundation. She explains why so many fitness and wellness professionals get tr...
2025-08-0524 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 296: The Mid-Year Reset for Pilates Studio OwnersIn this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, host Christa Gurka - physical therapist, studio owner, and business mentor - shares actionable strategies for conducting a mid-year business review. Aimed at Pilates studio owners and wellness entrepreneurs, this episode walks you through how to reset and refocus your business for a strong finish to the year.Christa dives into the core areas to evaluate during a quarterly check-in, including offers, pricing, scheduling, team alignment, and revenue streams. She discusses why the slower summer months are the perfect time for studio maintenance, reworking your fall schedule, and strengthening...
2025-07-2230 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 295: Studio Growth at Lightning Speed: The Systems, Mindset & Strategy Behind It All with Erin Canada CEO of Paradise PilatesIn this inspiring episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, host Christa Gurka welcomes Erin Canada, the founder of Paradise Pilates in North Carolina. Erin shares how her personal experience with chronic back pain and a love for Pilates led her to launch not one, but three successful studio locations in just 13 months.This conversation dives deep into the transition from instructor to business owner, highlighting the importance of strong systems, hiring the right team, and understanding your business numbers. Erin opens up about her learning curve, the role mentorship played in her journey, and how she created...
2025-07-151h 09Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 294: What We Learned At Our Inner Circle Retreat - How To Use Your Strengths To LeadIn this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, host Christa Gurka reflects on a powerful insight from a recent Inner Circle retreat - your greatest strengths can sometimes become your biggest obstacles. Drawing from a CliftonStrengths assessment she completed with her mentees, Christa unpacks how common entrepreneurial traits like “achiever,” “empathy,” and “strategic” thinking can work for or against you, depending on how they're used.She explores how self-awareness around your own strengths - and those of your team - can lead to better leadership, stronger collaboration, and smarter decision-making. Whether you’re the one who always takes charge o...
2025-07-0823 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 292: When Your Marketing Stops WorkingIn this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, host Christa Gurka addresses a challenge many wellness entrepreneurs face: a summer marketing slump. July, in particular, can feel slow - with fewer leads, lower engagement, and conversions that seem to stall. But before you scrap your strategy entirely, Christa explains why a full overhaul may not be necessary.Instead, she encourages business owners to diagnose before they pivot. Using data to compare current performance to the same period last year - not to your best months - can offer clarity. Christa shares her own approach to identifying and...
2025-06-2426 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 291: The ‘Invisible Work’ That’s Holding You Back From Studio or Practice SuccessIn this powerful and validating episode, host Christa Gurka dives into a topic many business owners feel but rarely name: the invisible emotional labor that comes with leadership. From managing team morale to handling client dissatisfaction, making decisions, and being the emotional safety net for everyone - women business owners often carry an unseen weight that leads to burnout, resentment, and stress.Christa shares her own experiences and offers a compassionate but practical framework for recognizing and addressing this emotional toll. She reminds listeners that while empathy is important, business owners are not responsible for everyone’s fe...
2025-06-1745 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 290: Hard Truths About Accountability - It's not Toxic, It’s the JobIn this candid and insightful episode, host Christa Gurka tackles a topic that’s often misunderstood in the fitness and wellness space: accountability. Speaking directly to both business owners and employees, Christa breaks down what accountability really means—and why it’s a necessary ingredient for a thriving, sustainable business.She shares her perspective as a long-time business owner and leader, explaining how clear expectations, consistent follow-through, and performance-based compensation are essential to running a financially healthy operation. Christa also busts the myth that studio or clinic owners are "rolling in money," offering a transparent look into the re...
2025-06-1046 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 289: From Failed Deal to Freedom: The Exit That Finally Worked - What It Really Takes to Sell Your BusinessIn this powerful follow-up episode, Christa Gurka shares part two of her journey to selling her Pilates studio, Pilates in the Grove. After a near miss at the closing table in 2024, Christa regrouped, healed, and ultimately closed a successful deal in March 2025. This episode is both a personal story and a practical guide for boutique fitness and wellness business owners considering a future sale.Christa walks listeners through what went wrong with the first deal, what changed the second time around, and how she approached due diligence, valuation, and choosing the right buyer. She shares h...
2025-06-0354 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 288: The Exit That Didn’t Happen - What I Got Wrong Trying to Sell My Business the First TimeIn this week’s episode of Female Empowered, host Christa Gurka is sharing a story she's never told publicly before - the story of the time she almost sold her business, Pilates in the Grove.This is part one of a two-part series where she'll walk you through the emotional, strategic, and operational journey behind trying to sell the business she built from the ground up. From a modest $2,400 investment in 2008 to a multi-location, seven-figure business, Christa poured everything into building something that could eventually operate — and be sold — without her.After being inspired by a pane...
2025-05-2758 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 287: Should You Ditch Class Packages?In this episode of the Female Empowered podcast, host Christa Gurka breaks down the financial and operational differences between class packages and membership models for fitness and wellness businesses.While class packages offer flexibility, they often lead to inconsistent cash flow, making it harder to forecast revenue and plan for growth. Christa shares research and real-world examples showing how transitioning to a membership model can improve revenue stability, client consistency, and long-term business sustainability.She offers tactical insights on how to structure, price, and position memberships, and why repositioning class packages as a flexible, premium...
2025-05-2036 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 285: How Being "Booked Out" Leads to Being "Burnt Out"In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka explores a common but often misunderstood challenge in the wellness and fitness business world: what happens when being “fully booked” starts working against you. If your calendar is packed, your energy is drained, and your business feels stuck, this episode is for you.Christa breaks down the signs that indicate you’ve hit a business growth ceiling - including a maxed-out schedule, declining quality of service, and the inability to grow without your constant involvement. She shares actionable strategies for reclaiming your time and building a more...
2025-05-0644 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 284: Your Best Instructor Just Quit - Now WhatIn this episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast, host Christa Gurka tackles one of the more stressful realities of being a business owner — when a rockstar team member gives notice. Whether it’s an instructor, therapist, or front desk leader, losing someone who plays a vital role can feel like a major blow. But Christa reminds listeners that “everything is figureoutable” — and with the right mindset and strategy, staff turnover can actually be a growth opportunity, not just a setback.Christa walks through how to handle resignations calmly and professionally, why communication is key for both your team and c...
2025-04-2928 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 282: How to Create Marketing Automations With Your CRM - Combining Sequences and Strategy with Peter Pastijn of MomenceIn this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka sits down with Peter Pastijn, the former studio owner and current Director of Partnerships at Momence, an all-in-one scheduling and management software built specifically for fitness and wellness businesses. Peter shares how his experience as a studio owner shaped the development of Momence and how the platform empowers owners to optimize their operations, improve the client experience, and make smarter business decisions. From automated features like Spot Filler to AI-driven tools and a robust CRM, Momence offers an end-to-end solution to help studio owners grow sustainably without b...
2025-04-1546 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 280: Ask a Wealth Manager - How to Save, Invest & Retire in your businessIn this episode of Female emPOWERED, Christa Gurka sits down with Sandy Taylor, a Vice President Senior Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab, to discuss what small business owners really need to know about financial planning. From retirement accounts to investment strategies, Sandy breaks down complex concepts into clear, actionable advice.They talk about how to start investing even if you don’t have a ton of cash, what retirement account is best for your situation, and the key roles that make up your financial support team. Whether you're just starting out or looking to build long-term wealth an...
2025-04-011h 09Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 277: How To Determine Prices, Pay Rates, and More To Keep Your Business ProfitableWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re tackling one of the most critical aspects of running a profitable boutique fitness or wellness business—pricing, pay rates, and expenses. If you've ever wondered how to structure your pricing for long-term financial health, this episode is for you.We’ll break down industry statistics on average revenue and profit margins, and I’ll walk you through how to calculate your break-even point so you can confidently price your services. I’ll also share real-world examples of how aligning...
2025-03-1135 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 276: Ask a CFO - Rapid Fire Round with Danielle HaydenWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving deep into the financial side of business with Danielle Hayden, founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping, taxes, or figuring out how much to pay yourself, this episode is for you!Danielle is an expert in helping business owners understand their numbers, so they can make better financial decisions that support growth and sustainability. In this conversation, we break down some of the most essential financial strategies for entrepreneurs—like how...
2025-03-0452 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 275: Building A Marketing Strategy That Integrates Organic and Paid Content with Lauren PeachieWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today I had the pleasure of chatting with Lauren Peachie, a marketing strategist who helps small businesses shine. Lauren shared her inspiring journey from photography to mastering marketing strategy, emphasizing how crucial it is to align your visuals and messaging with your brand and target audience.In our conversation, we explored the core elements of an effective marketing strategy—from understanding who your ideal client is, to choosing the right platforms and creating consistent messaging. Lauren broke down the three main...
2025-02-251h 03Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 274: Mastering Paid Ads for Your Wellness Biz with Courtney MoodyWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today I’m thrilled to welcome our special guest, Courtney Moody, a digital marketing and Facebook and Google Ads expert who’s transformed her career by evolving from traditional to digital marketing. In this episode, Courtney breaks down the essentials of a smart, effective marketing strategy for boutique fitness and wellness businesses.Our conversation covers the importance of understanding the different marketing channels - organic, earned, and paid - and how each plays a critical role in your overall strategy. Courtn...
2025-02-181h 00Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 273: Marketing Foundations: Understanding Paid, Organic, and Earned Marketing for Your Wellness BusinessOn this week's episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down the various marketing channels—organic, paid, and earned—and shares her own journey with paid advertising. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode will help you navigate the often overwhelming world of marketing with practical, actionable insights.Christa emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation before diving into paid marketing. She outlines essential prerequisites like product-market fit, clear service offerings, a well-defined target audience, and a strong website. From there, she explores a range of marketing strategies, from l...
2025-02-1143 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 272: Is Your Website Helping or Hurting Your Boutique Fitness Business with Connie HolanWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re talking all about website design and optimization for boutique fitness and wellness businesses. My special guest is Connie Holan from Pixelity Design, a web designer who specializes in the health and fitness space. In this conversation, we dive into common mistakes, must-have website elements, and how to make sure your site truly represents your brand and attracts the right clients.Some of the key takeaways from this episode include…Why Your Website...
2025-02-0451 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 271: Craft a Constantly-Selling Offer Ladder for Your PT or Pilates BizWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and in today’s episode, we’re diving into a concept that can revolutionize your business: the “offer ladder” (also known as the “value ladder”). Whether you own a pelvic health physical therapy practice, run a Pilates studio, or operate another type of wellness business, having a strategic pricing structure that guides your customers from entry-level offers all the way up to premium services can unlock multiple revenue streams and sustainable growth.Ever wonder why some businesses effortlessly guide customers from a free resourc...
2025-01-2831 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 269: The $50K Problem: What an Undertrained Team is Really Costing Your StudioWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving into a topic that could be costing you thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of dollars in missed revenue—an undertrained and underutilized team. I’m sharing real-life case studies from fitness and wellness businesses that have left more than $500,000 on the table simply because of team imbalances, low utilization, and lack of proper training.If you’re ready to plug these revenue leaks and drive your business forward, this episode is for you.Key Take...
2025-01-1434 min
Psikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetTopluluk Önünde Konuşma Kaygısını Yenmek! Uzman TavsiyeleriMerhaba ve hoş geldiniz! Bugün, birçok insanın yaşamında karşılaştığı bir konuya, topluluk önünde konuşma korkusuna odaklanıyoruz. Bu yayında, Klinik Psikolog Barış Gürkaş’ın rehberliğinde, bu kaygının nedenlerini ve üstesinden gelmek için etkili ipuçlarını keşfedeceğiz.Topluluk önünde konuşma kaygısı, yoğun stres ve rahatsızlık hissi yaratarak birçok insanın özgüvenini sarsabilir. Kalp çarpıntısı, aşırı terleme gibi fiziksel belirtiler bu kaygının en yaygın göstergelerindendir. Peki, bu durum neden oluşur? Barış Gürkaş, geçmişteki travmatik deneyimler, ya...
2025-01-1011 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 268: How Much Can Your Fit Biz ACTUALLY Grow in 2025?Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re talking all about how to transform your fitness or wellness business in 2025. Whether you’re looking for growth, sustainability, profitability, or simply better systems, this episode is for you!I’ll be sharing why standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the secret to stepping out of the day-to-day grind and how creating even one SOP a month can revolutionize your efficiency and profitability. From stories of clients who grew their revenue significantly to the benefits of working with a busine...
2025-01-0749 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 265: Let's Talk About MONEY!Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving into a topic I’ve often shied away from—money. In this episode, I’m getting honest about my own financial journey, from the discomfort of out-earning family members to embracing the responsibility and freedom that come with financial success. We’ll explore the historical, generational, and personal influences that shape how we talk, think, and feel about money—and why we need to change the narrative.Key Takeaways:Normalizing Money Conversations: It’s time to...
2024-12-1744 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 264: Optimizing an Insurance Based Physical Therapy Practice with Dr. Laura SommerWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re spotlighting an inspiring business journey with Dr. Laura Summer, the founder and CEO of In Motion Physical Therapy. Dr. Laura’s story is one of resilience, growth, and learning to lead with intention while balancing the demands of business and family life.In this episode, Dr. Laura shares how she started her practice in 2013 and grew it into a thriving business with 9 employees by 2024. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to investing in her leadership skills, Laura’s journe...
2024-12-1057 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 263 | What It's Like To Buy A Pilates Studio with Beth AdasWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re featuring an inspiring story of unexpected entrepreneurship with Beth Adas, owner of Balance Yoga and Pilates in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.Beth’s journey into business ownership is a testament to taking leaps of faith. When the previous owners of the studio announced they were closing, Beth—a longtime client and yoga teacher there—decided to step in and save the space she loved, despite having no prior business experience. In this episode, she shares how she transitioned from teach...
2024-12-031h 10Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 262: What We Can Be Grateful For (Thanksgiving Episode)Welcome back to another episode of Female Empowered with your host, Christa Gurka! In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that can completely change the way you experience entrepreneurship: cultivating a mindset of gratitude. Especially during the busy holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to appreciate the privilege of building something meaningful.Here’s a sneak peek of what we’ll cover in this episode:Reframing Business Challenges: Instead of seeing business challenges—like constant phone calls, overflowing inboxes, and mounting expenses—as problems, we can shift...
2024-11-2612 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 261: Women in Wellness Business Summit Recap EpisodeWelcome back to another episode of Female Empowered with your host, Christa Gurka! Today, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the Women in Wellness Business Summit, our fourth annual event that just wrapped up, and it was an absolute game-changer. Not only did we sell out for the first time ever with 25 incredible women, but the event was packed with hands-on learning, strategic planning, and powerful insights that left everyone inspired and ready to take their business to the next level.Here’s a peek at what went down at the summit:This year, we f...
2024-11-1928 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 260: Growing a Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Practice with Dr. Amanda FrankWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we have a fantastic episode featuring Dr. Amanda Frank, the founder and CEO of Uplift Physical Therapy in San Antonio, TX. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own physical therapy practice—or are curious about the world of pelvic health PT—this episode is a must-listen!Dr. Amanda Frank shares her inspiring journey from being a military physical therapist to becoming a specialist in pelvic health and opening her own cash-based practice. She talks about how a pe...
2024-11-1247 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 259: From Start Up to SustainableWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Today’s episode flips the script a bit as Latasha Doyle, founder and CEO of Uncanny Content, takes over as the host to interview me, Christa Gurka! We’re kicking off a special series where we highlight different business stories, and what better way to start than by diving into my journey of building and growing Pilates in the Grove?In this candid conversation, Latasha and I talk about everything from starting as an accidental entrepreneur to navigating major business challenges like partnerships, rebranding, and scaling a mult...
2024-11-051h 00Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 258: Spooky Tales of Studio OwnershipWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today’s episode is perfect for the spooky season—filled with scary tales of studio ownership and fitness instructing. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just getting started, these stories will entertain you and give you some valuable lessons on how to avoid these “spooky” situations.In this episode, I share some real-life scary stories submitted by our community of Pilates and fitness instructors, highlighting unexpected events that happen in the studio. From equipment malfunctions to clients not disclosing c...
2024-10-2923 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 255: DIY PR: How to Create Media Worthy Pitches for your Wellness Business with Monica SpoelstraWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we have a special guest joining us—Monica Spoelstra, a PR expert and holistic health coach. In this episode, we’re taking a look at how business owners can learn to be their own PR agency and take charge of their media presence.Monica and I talk about the key differences between marketing and PR, explore earned vs. paid media, and highlight some common mistakes businesses make when it comes to public relations. One of the biggest takeaways? Building relati...
2024-10-081h 01Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 254: Planning For EOY In Your Pilates Studio BizWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re talking all about planning for Q4 and reviewing your business’s success in 2024 to set yourself up for an incredible 2025.In this episode, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to evaluate your business performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop a strategic plan for the upcoming year. Whether you’re looking to refine your services, optimize your financials, or fine-tune your marketing, this episode will give you the tools to get started.Key topics...
2024-10-0123 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 253: Building a Personal Brand as a Fit Biz Studio Owner - Part 2Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Today, we’re diving into an important topic for all fit biz studio owners, wellness business owners, and private pay physical therapy practice owners—building a personal brand.In this episode, our host Christa Gurka shares her own journey of creating a personal brand alongside her Pilates studio, Pilates in the Grove. She explores how developing a brand around your unique gifts, skills, experiences, and personality can open doors to new clients, speaking opportunities, and additional revenue streams.Here are some key takeaways from toda...
2024-09-2426 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 251: Marketing vs Sales: What's Your Business Missing?Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Today, our host Christa Gurka is going to take a look at the essential difference between marketing and sales and how to adeptly manage both to thrive in your business.In this episode, we explore the distinctive roles that marketing and sales play within a business, especially using a Pilates studio as a real-life example. We discuss how marketing is all about creating awareness and generating interest, while sales focus on converting those interested buyers into loyal customers.Here are some major takeaways...
2024-09-1037 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 249: Fall Forward: Strategic Changes for Boutique Fitness Owners as We Approach Fall and Year-EndWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we’re discussing an important topic for fitness and wellness business owners: how to prepare your business for the fall and the end of the year.In this episode, I’ll be covering several key strategies to ensure you’re set up for success as the year wraps up, including:Evaluating and adjusting staffing needs to prepare for seasonal changesReviewing and optimizing pricing structures to support growth and profitabilityOptimizing your class schedules and offerings based on attendance dataStrategies for re-engag...
2024-08-2731 minPsikolog Barış Gürkaş ile İyi HissetAşırı Düşünme SanatıSürekli düşünme alışkanlığı gerçekten bir alışkanlık mı? Değişebilir mi? Psikolog Barış Gürkaş bu sefer bu konuyu daha eğlenceli bir dille ele alıyor.Podcast içinde geçen uygulama ismi mindoor. Stresi, kaygıyı, endişeyi azaltmak için bu app'deki meditasyonları, patikaları ve podcastleri dinleyebilirsiniz. : https://www.mindoorapp.comDaha detaylı bilgi için barisgurkas.com üzerinden bize ulaşabilirsiniz.
2024-08-2403 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 245: The Marketing Strategy That Grew My Pilates Studio to 7+ FiguresWelcome back to another episode of Female Empowered, the podcast for female fitness and wellness professionals and business owners who want to hear real talk about the industry's ins and outs. I'm your host, Christa Gurka. In today's episode, I'll discuss the marketing strategies that have grown my studio, Pilates in the Grove, into a seven-figure business.Some of the specific topics I discussed in this episode include:The importance of having a comprehensive marketing strategy for your fitness or wellness business, rather than just piecemealing different tactics.Defining your ideal customer o...
2024-07-3030 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 244: Building a Profitable Studio ScheduleWelcome to another episode of Female EmPOWERED, the podcast for female fitness and wellness professionals and business owners looking for real talk about the ins and outs of the industry. I'm your host, Christa Gurka, founder and CEO of a multimillion-dollar health and wellness business. Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of creating a profitable schedule for your studio, especially if you offer group sessions and classes.In this episode, we cover:The importance of tracking your studio schedule and profitability.Key metrics to analyze, including labor cost percentage and sales per labor hour...
2024-07-2328 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 243: Which Metrics Should I Track For My Pilates StudioWelcome to another episode of Female emPOWERED - I’m your host, Christa Gurka. In this podcast, I'll be sharing expert insights and having real conversations about what it means to show up, thrive, and get paid in a client-based business. Today, we're diving into the world of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and why they are crucial for your Pilates, yoga, or boutique fitness studio. Whether you’re new to tracking metrics or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you thrive.Some of the key items I dis...
2024-07-1629 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 242: How To Deal With Problem StaffWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we're diving into a listener-inspired question about handling staff issues in the fitness and wellness industry. Christa shares her expertise on managing instructors' pay expectations, educating your team on business finances, fostering transparency, and creating a supportive work environment. Key Topics Discussed:Acknowledging Staff Value: Learn strategies to recognize and appreciate the contributions of your team, ensuring they feel valued and motivated.Educating Your Team on Business Finances: Discover the importance of ed...
2024-07-0940 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 241: Healthy Margins For Business ProfitabilityWelcome back to another episode of the Female Empowered podcast. I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and in this episode, I’m discussing healthy margins for business profitability. By the end of this episode, you should have a handle on what percentage of your business’s income should be going to certain expenses so that you can maintain healthy margins to keep your business growing. Some of the key things I discuss in this episode are:Payroll Costs - Payroll is typically the largest expense in a service-based business. Industry experts recomme...
2024-07-0239 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 240: The Support Your Admin Team Needs To Help You GROWWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we have the pleasure of featuring Lauren Amron, the Chief Operating Officer at Pilates in the Grove. Lauren shares her journey from law and finance to becoming COO, and provides an in-depth look at the recently launched Grow program, designed to support individuals in administrative roles within boutique fitness businesses.Key Takeaways:Introducing the Grow Program: Get an overview of the new Grow program, developed in partnership with Pilates in the Grove, aimed at empowering administrative s...
2024-06-2543 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 239: Slow Season MindsetWelcome back to another episode of the Female emPOWERED Podcast with your host, Christa Gurka! In this episode, I discuss how to effectively manage slow seasons in business, address negative thoughts, and find opportunities for growth.Some of the specific things I addressed are:Focusing on the Bigger Picture: How business owners tend to focus on negative outcomes instead of considering the bigger picture.Personal Development and Optimization: Using downtime in business for personal development and optimization.Growth and Recharge: Embracing slow seasons in business for growth and...
2024-06-1820 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 238: Raising Prices in a Down EconomyIn this episode, our host Christa Gurka dives into the complex issue of raising prices for fitness and wellness businesses amidst an economic downturn. With inflation driving up costs across the board, Christa explores the financial realities facing service-based businesses and offers actionable strategies to navigate price increases with grace and integrity.Key Insights from this episode include:Analyzing Business Numbers: Dive into the importance of thorough financial analysis to determine necessary price adjustments in response to increasing costs.Value-Centric Framing: Learn how to frame price updates around the value...
2024-06-1134 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 237: When Your Fit Biz is Burning You OutWelcome to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. In this episode, Christa is shedding light on the pressing issue of burnout among female fitness and wellness entrepreneurs, including its causes, signs, and effective prevention and coping mechanisms.Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, and with her trademark blend of empathy and expertise Christa shares invaluable insights and actionable strategies for preventing and addressing burnout in the industry.Key Topics Covered:Causes of Burnout: Christa examines common triggers such as people-pleasing, validation-seeking, and overcommitment...
2024-06-0435 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 236: 4 Promotions You Can Run to Combat the Summer SlowdownWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast. I'm your host, Christa Gurka. In this episode, I’m sharing tips for boutique fitness and wellness businesses to ramp up their cash flow during typically slower seasons, such as the summer months. Christa unveils four specific promotions tailored to ignite revenue streams and invigorate business vitality, offering actionable strategies to navigate seasonal fluctuations with finesse and ingenuity.Some of the strategies I discuss are: Limited Availability PackagesFlash Sale ExtravaganzasPrepayment PerksInnovative Offerings To Spark CuriosityI also chat about using the slower season to...
2024-05-2117 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 235: The Legal Documents Every Fit Biz Needs with Conscious CounselWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast. I'm your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we're diving into the critical topic of protecting your business with the right legal documents, joined by our special guest, Cory Sterling, Attorney and Founder of Conscious Counsel.In this episode, Cory sheds light on why having the proper legal documents in place is paramount for safeguarding your business. He outlines the top 5 agreements every business needs - including waiver of liability, privacy policy/terms of service, media release and social media disclaimer, membership agreement, and employee/contractor agreement - and...
2024-05-1432 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 234: What To Pay Your TeamWelcome back to the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. In today's episode, we're exploring into the intricacies of what can be a sensitive topic - team compensation - and discussing strategies to structure payroll and reward your team while ensuring business profitability and sustainability. Join Christa as she shares her insights on establishing tiered pay scales tied to performance reviews, empowering you to cultivate a thriving team environment.Some of the key takeaways in this episode include:Budgeting for Success: Dive into the art of setting payroll budgets and d...
2024-05-0734 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 233: What To Include On A Job Description For Your Boutique Wellness BusinessWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with your host, Christa Gurka. Today, we're diving deep into the art of crafting compelling job descriptions, especially tailored for boutique fitness studios facing hiring hurdles. Join us as we explore key insights from Pilates in the Grove, where the focus is on highlighting culture, growth opportunities, and desired traits over mundane responsibilities.Here's a sneak peek into what we'll be uncovering:Trait-Centric Descriptions: Shift the spotlight from duties to desirable traits like being a self-starter, problem-solver, and team player.Growth...
2024-04-3028 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 232: Q1 Recap - What the Inner Circle & PITG Did in Q1Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast with host Christa Gurka. Today, we're diving into the inner workings of business metrics with our special guest, Lauren Amron, COO at Pilates in the Grove studio. Join us as we unpack the highlights of Q1 and how we're keeping our business on the path to success.In this episode, Christa and Lauren dissect how they review business metrics quarterly at Pilates In The Grove. They explore the key metrics driving their decisions, including revenue, net income, utilization rates, visits, and unique customers. Lauren offers h...
2024-04-2343 minFemale emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeEpisode 231: How To Optimize Instagram For Your Brick and Mortar Business with 20 Degrees MediaWelcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED podcast. I'm your host, Christa Gurka, and on today’s episode I’m joined by Mindy to discuss all things Instagram for your brick and mortar business.Joining me is Mindy Lundy Kramer, the founder of 20 Degrees Media, a marketing agency focused on the outdoor wellness industry. In this episode Mindy shares her journey from photography to helping businesses improve their online presence and we dive into different considerations and strategies for optimizing your Instagram presence.Some of the things we discussed include:Ma...
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