From Studio Owner to CEO: Scaling Smarter in the 2026 Wellness Economy
Running a yoga studio or fitness center used to mean passion, long hours, and the satisfaction of helping people transform. But as the wellness industry evolves, many owners are realizing that passion alone won’t create sustainable growth—or freedom.
In this episode of the Wellness Pro Podcast, Cate Stillman speaks with Lauren Schoenfeld, founder of Active Core Consulting, about how to transition from being the operator of your studio to becoming the CEO of a scalable, profitable business.
Why Most Studio Owners Plateau
Lauren works primarily with brick-and-mortar fitness studios and gym owners managing one to five locations. She’s seen a common pattern: many owners are still doing everything—teaching half the classes, handling admin, managing staff, and even cleaning floors.
While their dedication is admirable, this operator mindset becomes the ceiling for growth. “If your business can’t run without you,” Lauren says, “you don’t own a business—you own a job.”
The first step is getting out of the operator seat and into the CEO seat, where you focus on leadership, systems, and strategy rather than day-to-day operations.
The Foundation: Finances, Flow, and CEO Energy
Lauren’s upcoming group program, Finance & Flow, integrates both strategy and mindset. Many studio owners, she explains, are blocked not by lack of skill, but by money stories and subconscious beliefs.
From undercharging clients to feeling guilty about hiring help, these beliefs keep owners trapped in burnout loops.
Once mindset and nervous system regulation are addressed, the financial strategy follows:
- Define your owner’s pay roadmap—how much you want to earn and what it takes to get there.
- Build recurring revenue streams through memberships and programs.
- Create systems so your business can grow sustainably without your constant input.
As Lauren puts it, “If the business isn’t set up to pay you, you’re working for a nonprofit.”
Unlocking Profit with High-Value Offers
Cate and Lauren both emphasize one major key to profitability: high-ticket offers.
Instead of competing on price or class packages, thriving wellness businesses sell results. For gyms, that may mean combining fitness with nutrition and mindset coaching. For yoga studios, it could mean offering holistic transformation programs that integrate lifestyle, community, and accountability.
These premium offers deepen retention, deliver bigger client wins, and generate predictable revenue.
Lauren adds, “The studios breaking out in 2026 are no longer just selling workouts—they’re selling transformation.”
Metrics That Matter
Lauren advises owners to track what actually drives profitability—not just gross revenue.
- Payroll: Keep payroll around 30% of revenue.
- Operating Profit (EBITDA): Target a 20–40% margin, especially if you want investor interest.
- Retention: Use 6–12 month commitments for memberships to stabilize cash flow.
“Even small percentage improvements can mean tens of thousands of dollars per year,” Lauren notes. “That’s your kids’ tuition—or your next expansion.”
Building a Business That Runs Without You
For studio owners dreaming of scaling or exiting, the key is systems, structure, and talent development.
If your entire client experience depends on you or one superstar instructor, your business value collapses when that person leaves.
Lauren encourages owners to create consistent programming, train team leaders, and codify their brand culture so the studio thrives independently.
As she says, “It’s not sustainable for a business to depend on one human. True leadership means building something that outgrows you.”
Masculine Drive Meets Feminine Flow
An unexpected theme in the conversation was energy balance in leadership. Both Cate and Lauren discussed how women often build wellness businesses from empathy and service—but scaling requires integrating masculine structure with feminine intuition.
Lauren shared, “Tapping into my feminine energy actually helped me catapult my business. It’s not about choosing one over the other—it’s knowing when to lead with each.”
Final Takeaway: Profit, Purpose, and Freedom
Whether you run a yoga studio, gym, or hybrid wellness business, 2026 is the year to scale smarter. Get your finances in order, clarify your vision, build recurring revenue, and step into your CEO energy.
Because the real goal isn’t just more revenue—it’s more freedom, more impact, and a business that thrives without burning you out.
Resources & Links
- Learn more about Lauren’s Finance & Flow Program: ActiveCoreConsulting.com
- Explore Cate Stillman’s Wellness Pro Academy and upcoming workshops: clubthrive.global
