TLSx instructor academy launched
Owning one studio is hard, but relatively simple. You need about 4 instructors, only one studio to focus on, one set of books to manage, etc.
Three studios gets a little more complex. The schedules start to intertwine, revenue needs to be recognized responsibly, marketing needs to be balanced so that all studios receive traffic, and more.
How do you "scale" 50+ studios? The answer is to invest into systems that you can essentially "copy and paste". The workload investment is in the beginning but it helps accelerate your business in the long run.
What Scales
Over the last two years, we began implementing systems that would allow us to scale to this point. Some of the most impactful include:
Automated emails - getting people to buy packages
Advertising - We literally enter in new zip codes when new studios open
Captains - The single greatest thing we did to allow us to manage studios
Chatbot - Instant answering of questions through machine learning
Sub software - Manage numerous schedule changes
Machinery - Tested several units that can bulk order
Construction - The design and quotes can be easily replicated (no architect)
What is missing??? Perhaps the most important piece: Instructor Training.
Instructor Training
The old way was to hire an 'elite' and certified Pilates instructor to do a weekend of training. That was not only expensive, limited, and inconvenient but we also found that it was ineffective. New instructors were no where close to being able to go onto the floor.
We had to design our own system.
For the last 7 months, we have been developing an internal training structure to accomplish the following things:
Train new instructors - April
Advance current instructors - April
Accelerate the business training - Matt and Steve
This is not complete. It will never be finished. It will be in a constant state of evolution to ensure that we are advancing well beyond our competition. As our team asks more questions, it gives us more content to share with everyone so we are all on the same page.
1. Train New Instructors
For new instructors, April walks them through the basics. What does it take to get on the floor? What are all the foundations of this workout?
There is a lot to learn here and it cannot be communicated in one weekend. We give all new instructors access to a series of videos that they can watch at their pace.
2. Advance Current Instructors
In order for our workouts to continue to be fresh, we have to add advancements to the routines and the moves.
For this series, April breaks down every move, common mistakes made, how to correct it for the client, and a lot more. Every workout provided to the instructors will include a link to these videos so they can ramp up before the class begins.
Again, we have to spoon-feed our team the tools to make them successful.
3. Business Training
Breakeven: In less than 3 months, Houston is at breakeven due primarily to cost reductions. Sales growth will be a critical focus for us in 1Q.
Branding Change Complete: We successfully installed new TLSx signage, window decals, apparel and changed Google Maps to TLSx. See below.
Parted Ways: We parted ways with a Senior instructor who taught the most classes of anyone in our company. We had differences of opinion on the direction of the company. No clients have quit and the rest of the team has stepped up. Culture is critical to our success.
New CRM: We launched a new CRM called Recess and it has been an incredible experience. Austin will likely be merging to it by April.
New Investments
As you can tell, we are growing like crazy. If you would like to own a piece of any of these studios, reply to this email.
Other Updates:
Lakehills: We received our 3rd construction bid this week which was well below our $180k budget. Waiting for our last one this week before we choose our partner. We still have about $150k left to close this project.
Dripping Springs: All construction permitting has been granted and the project is moving into final construction stages. Machines have been ordered and we believe we are 8-10 weeks out.
Acquisitions: We do not anticipate taking on any new acquisitions until June timeframe.
New Instructors: We are training and onboarding a RECORD 10 new instructors in the month of February. That's about 30% more than we currently have hired in Austin.
If anyone you know is interested in getting on the ride, have them go to this investor page, fill out the survey and we will layout the potential options for them!
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Steve Young, Owner
Invest in TLS Here