The
Podcast

Podcast Episode 117: How I Would Start My Brick and Mortar Businesses If I Could Do It All Over Again

Three months ago, Dan and I had an epic milestone in parenthood…we showed Remy “Back to the Future” in all its 1980’s glory.

We cheered on George in his battles with Biff, begged Marty to make it home, ate far too much popcorn and decided time travel had its pros and cons.  I had no idea how philosophical 8 year olds could be when Remy said, “you know Momma, I have a feeling there are more than a few things I could redo in life and get them better this time around.”

I have a feeling he was thinking more of soccer goals, NOT getting caught reading after bedtime and reconsidering that time he decided our four pound dog should take a bath with him {epic parenting fail}, but it took me to a very different place….

What would I have done differently if I was opening a business again for the very first time?

I’ve spent the last six weeks chatting with different business owners and we narrowed down the main categories of change to 3 areas:

  1. Financial:  Questions, like “how much savings do you really need to have?” {hint:  never enough} and “what’s the idea amount to pay for a lease?” ranked as highly as “how do I pay my team?”.  Now, I’ve never taken a business or accounting class, so experience has been my teacher and it has certainly taught me that one thing truly matters: the more you put into getting your finances right before you open your doors, the more likely your doors will stay open {and you will stay profitable}.
  2. Mindset:  Some days I feel like this word is bandied about without anyone knowing what the right mindset truly means, but in this case I’ll be very clear.  You will be moving from an employee to an entrepreneur and your priorities and thought processes must change in turn.  The hardest time I had was honestly in determining how to pay someone who had been “me” just months before.  But, keeping the right mindset over why I was here and what my role was, gave me a peace of mind I never expected.
  3. Systems and Strategies:  Whoever tells you that you can open your doors and this business will just happen…well, they’ve clearly never run a business.  The more you come into this with clear systems that you can replicate and teach to others, the more likely you’re going to get yourself past profitable and into entrepreneur dream world.  This takes some work, some learning and the investment of time and potentially money to see what it takes to truly build an epic business, but the good news is, you’ve got the time to do it.

So whether you’re opening your first business or you’re just wanting to give your existing business a refresh, take a step back to the past with me, and learn, what I would do if I was starting all over again.  

With grit + gratitude,

Xo Lisé

Recommended Episodes

  • Building Your Mission, Vision & Core Values

    Y’all, be honest. Do you really understand what a mission, vision and core values mean for your studio and why they matter? And why should you care? Consider these essentials for a moment with Coach Matt Hanton and Lisa Taylor, Studio Grow’s Bespoke program director, in Episode 656: Building Your Mission, Vision & Core Values.…

    Listen Now

  • The State of the Yoga Industry

    Sure seems like everyone today is desperately seeking some zen on the mat. The global yoga industry is expected to climb from $180B in 2024 to $215B in 2025. Coach and yoga studio owner Caroline Plambeck lays out the optimistic landscape of opportunities to capitalize on surging interest in Episode 655: The State of the…

    Listen Now

  • Real Estate, Loans and Investment: Deciding the Best Financing for Your Studio

    Let’s talk money – as in financing your first studio or funding to scale and add locations. By understanding your options, you can quell your anxiety and prepare for the process.  Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Alex Lavelle got you covered in part 3 of our series: Episode 654: Real Estate, Loans and Investment: Deciding the…

    Listen Now

  • From Planning to Build-out: Financing Your Studio the Right Way

    Turning your vision into a reality can be intimidating without some know-how about the process. After securing funding, learn how to hire and work with a contractor in part 2 of this series. In Episode 653: From Planning to Build-out: Financing Your Studio the Right Way, join Coach Caroline Plambeck and Coach Alex Lavelle for…

    Listen Now