How To Start A Mobile Yoga Business

Hello Who Are You And What Business Did You Start

Hi, Im McKenna Rowe, and manage Chakra5, a mobile wellness team that does yoga/meditation/pilates classes, vegan cooking classes and sound baths on demand. Weve been working on location and by appointment with various businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles since 2012.

I think what distinguishes us is that we are a smaller, boutique company that can readily respond to client needs week to week and customize the experience them. Everyone on the team is also older and more experienced in working with a diverse group of yoga practitioners of different levels and body types. We have a unique way of connecting with people and making them feel comfortable, safe and welcome in our classes.

We work with digital/tech companies, high schools, law firms, real estate firms, car dealerships, clothing companies, architecture firms…you name it! We also partner with companies to put on special events, like corporate retreats on the beach, or wellness events open the public, like the Bimbo Global Energy 10K at LA Live or the New Balance Girls Night Out for the Disneyland Half Marathon.

When I first started the business I had one or two monthly clients and was bringing in a few hundred dollars in revenue. As I began to work a lot more on our SEO and content marketing , interest in our company began to grow. Now we bring in ~6K/month and get new weekly inquiries all the time. Ive had to double the size of my team since we started.

Within Hours More Than 100 People Joined My Email List

I looked at Zero to Launch as something that could get me to that next level in terms of starting to build something for myself that 10, 15, 20 years down the line could be a stream of income, compensating for the fact that I dont have an employer-sponsored retirement account.

But for Julian, it wasnt just about the money. I genuinely want to help new yoga teachers out. It was inspiring to see these Facebook threads of 100, 200 comments of people saying Julian, this is where I feel defeated and Julian, this where Im stuck and cant seem to break through. And then I was able to help them fix those problems with my online business.’

Within hours of launching more than 100 people signed up for Julians email list. Thats when the light bulb started to go off for me I knew that I was onto something.

Budgeting Tips For Opening A Yoga Studio

Opening a yoga studio requires a magical mix of passion and practicality. There is much to celebrate about being a small business owner becoming your own boss allows you to make a living from what you are passionate about.

The idea of starting a business is exciting but can also be quite overwhelming! Here are some practical tips to help you along the way to open the yoga studio of your dreams.

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Write A Business Plan

Writing a business plan from the start is critical for the success of your mobile yoga business.

Why?

Because this allows you to roadmap exactly what you do, what your overall structure will look like, and where you want to be in the future.

For many entrepreneurs, writing out the business plan helps validate their idea and decide whether or not they should move forward with starting the business.

You may want to consider expanding upon these sections in your business plan:

• Executive Summary: Brief outline of your product, the market, and growth opportunities
• Overviews and Objectives: Overview of your business, target customers, and what you need to run your business
• Products and Services: Specifics on the products and services your business will provide
• : Analysis of customer demographics, buyer habits and if your product is in demand
• : Outline of your marketing plan and how you plan to differentiate yourself from other customers
• Competitive analysis: Analysis of your competition and the strengths and weaknesses therein
• Operations: Hierarchal structure of the company and what it will take to run the business on the day-to-day
• Leadership Team: Detailing roles and responsibilities of each manager based on their specific skill-set
• Financial Analysis Understanding of all expenses, operating budgets, and projections for the future.

Learn more about how to write a business plan here

Services Related To Aging And Senior Health

The percentage of elderly people is growing in many western countries, and that means that products and services which support healthy aging are in demand! You could focus on delivering any of the above services specifically to target aging concerns, or even become a wellness provider within a retirement community or other wellness center focused on healthy aging.

Also Check: How Many Calories Does Corepower Yoga Sculpt Burn

Invest In Quality Equipment

Even with the best online course platforms available, its still important to invest in a few tools to make the learning experience as best as it can be for your students. Consider investing in a quality webcam and wireless microphone to create a quality, high-touch experience for your audience. I use Logitech Webcam and Samson Microphone.

If you plan to move through the asana practice with your students as you teach yoga, then a wearable microphone will significantly improve the experience for both you as the instructor and for the students. These are my top picks for microphones for making YouTube videos and this is a breakdown of how to choose a microphone for your DSLR or smartphone camera.

While these tools arent absolutely necessary, it will certainly make the entire experience better for your students. There is nothing worse than having to step off your yoga mat to turn up the volume or double-check what yoga postures are being called out simply because the sound is good.

Pro Tip: Using a Bluetooth microphone allows you to move around your room and yoga mat without getting tangled up in wires.

Why Business Planning Matters

If youre still not convinced that you need a yoga business plan, then heres the reality its actually essential to your success. Without it, you wont be able to secure funding or business loans so its worth taking the time to prepare one.

Its not just about having the piece of paper to show people its about the process of creating it. Planning forces you to conduct research and weigh up whether your idea is really viable. This can save you a lot of time, money, and heartache in the longterm, as well as setting you up for success in the future.

Business plans double your chance of success.

Theres compelling research showing that founders who create a business plan are almost twice as likely to grow their business or secure capital successfully. Its fundamental to ensuring that your yoga business becomes profitable as quickly as possible.

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Are Private Yoga Lessons Worth It

The most significant advantage of private yoga is that each session is specifically targeted to your own objectives, needs, and body. Furthermore, because sessions are tailored to your ability, there is no pressure to keep up or perform things that your body shouldnt be doing, which reduces the likelihood of injury.

How To Retain Customers For Your Mobile Yoga Business

Retaining customers is one of the most effective ways to grow your mobile yoga business.

Oftentimes, it’s easy to find yourself focusing on generating new customers, vs retaining your current ones.

Look at it this way – you are 60-70% more likely to sell a new product to an existing customer than you are a new customer.

That’s not to say that finding new customers and revenue streams is not important, however, the easiest source of new revenue is right there in front of you.

Here are some ways you can retain customers for your mobile yoga business:

• Responding to comments on social media
• Send discounts to loyal customers
• Provide valuable content, for free
• Write a hand written thank you note
• Provide awesome customer service and build relationships with customers

To find out more tips and tricks on retaining customers, check out this article here

McKenna Rowe, founder of Chakra 5 Yoga dives deep into the process of attracting and retaining customers:

For retaining customers, I follow up with them a lot to find out what is working or not working.

We send out surveys. We brainstorm different ideas and fun approaches to wellness…or even different times of day or days of the week than what was originally scheduled end up working better for the employees. For example, one of our clients promotes April as a wellness month.

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What Challenges Do You Face In Operating This Business

The toughest thing for me is to combine a full-time job with running the mobile yoga business properly. I wish I had more time available to dedicate to business development and get the word out to more people.

It can be tough to convince some companies. They are interested in yoga but assume it must be really expensive or dangerous for the employees.

Managing the schedule is challenging. For instance, we have lots classes happening in any given week. I have teachers assigned to clients, and if somebody gets sick, I have to find a substitute and make sure that the client still gets a consistent and positive experience.

Setting Up Your Mobile Yoga Business

When it comes to setting up your business, you may find yourself in a place where you have to make some financial and legal decisions.

The first thing you’ll want to decide on is whether you want to be an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp.

These three options are found to be the most common when starting a small business, and all serve to protect your personal assets and also provide you with certain tax benefits.

• LLC: All income and expenses from the business are reported on the LLC personal income tax return.
• S corp: Owners pay themselves salaries + receive dividends from profits.
• C Corp: C Corps are separately taxable entities that file a corporate tax return . No income tax is paid at the corporate level and any tax due is paid at the owners individual expense.

Depending on where you’re conducting business, you’ll also want to consider securing the proper permits, licenses and liability insurance.

Need to start an LLC? Create an LLC in minutes with ZenBusiness.

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Improve Your Email Marketing

Different types of emails

Here are the most common types of email campaigns you can send to your customers and their benefits:

• Welcome emails – the perfect way to provide information from the start with a clear CTA. Make sure to tell your customer everything they need to know about your product or service.
• Newsletters – a great way to give customers updates or send out your latest content
• Product launch emails – the quickest way to increase sales is by selling to current customers. Make sure they’re the first on the list to know about your new product
• Promotional emails – promote discounts, deals coupons etc. Try and make this feel exclusive and for a limited time only
• Abandoned cart emails – give your customers a reason to complete their purchase!

Here’s a great resource for finding curated email designs, for all types of email campaigns!

What Have Been The Most Influential Books Podcasts Or Other Resources

I honestly have to say our feedback from our clients is what motivates me.

When they say they are losing weight or got rid of back pain and cant wait for their yoga classes every week…that it made us want to keep doing what were doing!

I also love seeing that there are so many people coming out and doing what we do…yoga is being offered now at libraries, pet adoption centers, museums…the old paradigm of the traditional yoga studio is starting to break down.

SO many people dont want to fight traffic and hunt for parking or they cant afford $25 classes…or they feel uncomfortable in a community that tends to be more white and affluent.

As for a podcast, I have been thinking about producing one myself–a good model would be the way that Trader Joes has been approaching their podcast. My podcast would be similar in that it would talk about the history of our company, interview teachers and customers, and talk about general yoga trends right now.

Again, my challenge is finding the time to do all these things! I often dream that maybe I can semi-retire and devote more time to marketing the business.

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Step : Obtain Necessary Permits And Licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a professional meditation business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBAs reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

For information about local licenses and permits:

• Check with your town, city or county clerks office
• Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

Certificate of Occupancy

A professional meditation business is generally run out of a studio. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy . A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business location to ensure your professional meditation business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Can I Use My Phone And Computer To Teach On Zoom

Yes! This would be a great way to be able to create a recording of yourself teaching while also being able to closely monitor your students.

I would suggest propping up or using a tripod for your phone to record you teaching and have your computer in a place where you can easily see your students. This would give you the opportunity to offer your students individualized attention, creating a high touch experience, while also recording.

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Cost To Make A Yoga App

Here are the estimate of costs to build a yoga app from the Stormotion Team:

MVP Features Estimated in Hours

So the yoga app development costs are between $20-25,000 including the extra features and about $13-18,000 without them.

We used an average rate $45/hour that is quite standard for Eastern Europe. If you want to get a more accurate estimate of costs to develop a yoga app, provide us with the details of your project by hitting the button at the end of the article.

Start A Professional Meditation Business By Following These 10 Steps:

You have found the perfect business idea, and now you are ready to take the next step. There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your professional meditation business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Check out our How to Start a Business page.

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How Much Does It Cost To Start A Yoga Studio

Depending on the location, a yoga studio might cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Make sure you have a capital plan in place before you begin so that you dont get caught on a build out that takes an excessive amount of time or on a material that is too expensive to get.

Develop A Business Plan

The next step is to develop your . This enables you to test the financial and practical viability of your idea.

This might sound dull but its crucial to the success of your yoga business. Research shows that founders with business plans are almost twice as likely to secure funding and make it work.

Business plans double the chance of success.

A good yoga studio business plan should cover these elements

• Industry and local market analysis
• Company overview
• Implementation plan

Learn more about writing a . Or get the start-up planning cheat sheet as part of our Fitness Business Templates bundle

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How Do You Choose Teachers For Your Team

We are lucky because there are a lot of yoga teachers in this area. Nowadays you can throw a rock and hit a yoga teacher!

First, they need to have Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher 200-hour certification. Then I like to see how much experience they have, especially working with a diverse group particularly newbies.

Many young, new teachers are excited to get people doing headstands, which isnt really suitable for our average yoga practitioner in the workplace. What it is more profound and complex than fancy yoga poses is the opportunity to work with somebody older in age or dealing with traumas and injuries. How do we help those with different body types feel they are able to practice yoga regardless of their physique or experience?

Beyond an instructors technical knowledge, Im interested in their ability to connect with people on a personal level. For example, Ill ask how they approach having beginners in a class or when they see somebody who could potentially hurt themselves. Then, I like to observe how they connect with the students.

I try to give each of the teachers enough freedom to express their personal style. Thats when I try to match a particular teacher to a client if I can. Some clients want a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the class. Others want something more dynamic they want music to be a bit louder and might be interested a bit of chanting or Kundalini. Each teacher will bring something unique from their personal yoga practice.