The
Podcast

Betsey O’Malley, Allison Zhang, and the Beauty of Balance

Today’s episode is all about balance. 

And I don’t just mean the ‘standing on one foot’ kind. I mean balance in terms of what you offer in your studio to help your clients develop holistically, balance in terms of how you manage your team, and balance between your work and private lives. 

Today’s guests – Betsey O’Malley and Allison Zhang – are living examples of how balance can help your studio grow and thrive. 

Betsey is the owner of Balance Pilates and Wellness in Michigan, where she’s truly been able to scale her business with services, products, and opportunities for her clients. Her team, consisting of trainers, instructors, nutritionists, and chefs, make sure that her clients grow and get healthier in every aspect. 

This balance in growth has led to her studio being one of our biggest success stories yet, with a 35% growth that year during a global pandemic

My other guest, Allison, is not only a franchise owner who looks over 5 studio locations, but is also an important member of the Studio Grow team!

And despite all the hats she has to wear, Alison has the optimal work-life balance. She works for 20 hours a week, gets the job done, and is able to spend time with her family, and take days off WHILE watching her business grow. 

In this week’s episode, these two lovely ladies will be taking you through their top tips for how you can incorporate balance and peace into your own business!

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The creative services and products that Betsey has developed to give her clients a “what’s next” option
  • How she was able to restructure her studio to accommodate what her clients were asking for
  • The challenges of building a team and adding a lot of sessions to the schedule
  • Her thoughts on the opportunity in investing in real estate
  • The systems Allison has developed to allow her to work the hours that she wants to work
  • How Studio Grow helped her with the sale processes she uses, and how her intentional intake has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The ways that automation and pre-scripted emails have changed the workflow in her business

With grit and gratitude,

Lisé

LINKS:

https://www.balancedpilatesboutique.com

https://www.instagram.com/studiogrowco

https://www.boutiquefitnesscoalition.com/

https://www.boutiquefitnesscoalition.com/press

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3312618912101211/

Recommended Episodes

  • How to Test New Class Formats Without Losing Money

    Even though boutique studio clients are creatures of habit, stagnant class schedules can breed boredom over time. Done right, adding new formats sparks excitement and attendance.  It’s a smart balance of discipline and evolution. Get guidance on trying new class formats strategically in Episode 715: How to Test New Class Formats Without Losing Money.  Testing

    Listen Now

  • Is Your Brand Outdated? Proven Ways to Stay Relevant in 2026

    In today’s competitive boutique fitness market, “good” simply isn’t enough. If your brand isn’t current and clearly differentiated, you may be invisible—or worse, interchangeable. Explore how to audit and refresh your brand to resonate today with Alina Cooper and Lisa Taylor in Episode 714:  Is Your Brand Outdated? Proven Ways to Stay Relevant in 2026.

    Listen Now

  • What to Do in Your Boutique Studio Business in March

    Y’all, if you take your foot off the gas in March, your studio’s likely to have a long, quiet summer. While you’re still in the busiest quarter of the year, this should be a leverage month.  Focus on intentionality, exploration and creativity now. Join Lisa Taylor and me for your must-do list in Episode 713:

    Listen Now

  • The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Tracey Mallet

    Building a sustainable brand is about creating something strong enough to outlast trends and survive copycats. It’s doing the hard work, staying passionate and embracing who you are.  Get an inside look at what it really takes to create thriving global platforms, certifications and methods in Episode 712: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker

    Listen Now