We've been watching something disturbing unfold in the small business world, and frankly, it's gotten so bad that we're not sure we'd want to start a new business in today's climate.
The question that came up for me to ask myself as a small business owner is 'How can I offer more value, by doing less?'
I see a lot of fitpro's try to compete the chains and franchises by offering more class times and lowering their prices and then 6 months later they're totally burned out and bitter.
Great point. You've hit on something so many small business wellness businesses struggle with!
You're absolutely right that trying to beat the big chains at their own game is a losing battle. When you try to compete on volume and price, you're essentially commoditizing yourself, and that's exactly where burnout happens.
The beauty of "offering more value by doing less" lies in relationships, conversations, connections, and personalized care. These aren't just nice-to-haves, they're your competitive advantages that chains literally cannot replicate at scale.
Instead of offering 20 class times to match the franchise down the street, maybe you offer 8 perfectly curated sessions where you know every client's name, their goals, their limitations, and their victories.
Instead of racing to the lowest price point, you charge premium rates because you're delivering premium, personalized experiences.
Your clients aren't just buying a workout – they're buying transformation, accountability, and genuine care. They're buying the peace of mind that comes from working with someone who truly sees them. That's worth so much more than a cheap membership at a crowded gym where they're just another number.
The small business owner who thrives is the one who intentionally decides to NOT be the cheapest option, but instead be the BEST option for the RIGHT people, and charge accordingly. 🙌
FYI I cam across you because Marvelous was recommended to me by ChatGPT when looking for something that would fit my wife's fitness business. Thought you might like to know that :)
Love this! Thanks for writing it :)
The question that came up for me to ask myself as a small business owner is 'How can I offer more value, by doing less?'
I see a lot of fitpro's try to compete the chains and franchises by offering more class times and lowering their prices and then 6 months later they're totally burned out and bitter.
Great point. You've hit on something so many small business wellness businesses struggle with!
You're absolutely right that trying to beat the big chains at their own game is a losing battle. When you try to compete on volume and price, you're essentially commoditizing yourself, and that's exactly where burnout happens.
The beauty of "offering more value by doing less" lies in relationships, conversations, connections, and personalized care. These aren't just nice-to-haves, they're your competitive advantages that chains literally cannot replicate at scale.
Instead of offering 20 class times to match the franchise down the street, maybe you offer 8 perfectly curated sessions where you know every client's name, their goals, their limitations, and their victories.
Instead of racing to the lowest price point, you charge premium rates because you're delivering premium, personalized experiences.
Your clients aren't just buying a workout – they're buying transformation, accountability, and genuine care. They're buying the peace of mind that comes from working with someone who truly sees them. That's worth so much more than a cheap membership at a crowded gym where they're just another number.
The small business owner who thrives is the one who intentionally decides to NOT be the cheapest option, but instead be the BEST option for the RIGHT people, and charge accordingly. 🙌
A great big YEP!
FYI I cam across you because Marvelous was recommended to me by ChatGPT when looking for something that would fit my wife's fitness business. Thought you might like to know that :)