When is it time to open confidently your own EMS studio?
In the wild wild west that is the EMS industry, opening a studio is quite like the big fish in the pond. Although, however you want to look at it, it’s a big decision.
In order for you to be successful, ask yourself these 3 questions before you open.
1. Are you prepared for the workload?
Some EMS studio owners afford to hire managers, receptionists and personal trainers, but most of the other are owner-personal trainers which means they are working for their own business! So you have to setup a management plan, you have to manage your finances and bookings, you have to strongly market your studio….and you have to be an EMS PERSONAL TRAINER!
Owning an EMS studio will take a lot of your time, but if you feel you understand the workload already, you will embrace and enjoy the process deeply.
2. What do you want to achieve through this EMS studio?
We know owners who simply want to make big money, we know owners who wish to help people create a healthy lifestyle and we know owners who have no idea why they do it, but open an EMS studio because it’s a popular business trend. Where you progress to is important for you to understand truthfully, so you can let yourself inspired by your business and let it pull you towards your goals with a growing passion.
3. Why are you an unique EMS centre, different from the rest in the studio industry?
Every owner talks about how unique their EMS studio is, but believe us, only a few really are! Customers are not just buying “quality”, but also “different”, so think well what you can deliver in this industry to make you uniquely qualified.
—> consumer results – builds up a great reputation which drives other customers from different angles
—> staff attitude and environment – because customers need to love being in your EMS studio
—> unique marketing led be professionals – not only does your EMS studio need advertising, but it also needs influencers who will shout about you and your services and drive referrals from the segment they represent.
Other hugely important components that you must be prepared for are:
1. Investment
From equipment, rent, advertising, supplies, fitness accessories, you need to factor in EVERYTHING so you know from the beginning from much will it cost you.
2. Location
We used to think that the location is the most important factor. Well, it’s not really like that!
If you could spend 1000 Euro / month on rent and have 50 customers paying you 200 Euro / month, your revenue would be 10.000 Eur/month. Taking out the 1000 Euro for rent, leaves you with a profit of 9.000 Eur (this is just an example, you need to deduct other expenses as well). But if you went with the best spot in town for 5000 Euro / month and had 100 customers paying the same 200 Euro / month, your revenue would be 20.000 Euro, while your rent expenses would be 5.000 Euro, so yes, your profit would be higher, but make no mistake as handling those 50 exxtra people would also cost you additional expenses and lots of your energy.
Sure you can go big, if you afford it, if you have the expertise and a brilliant staff. But for most beginners in the industry, we advise them to start small because it takes a number of months to achieve the clientele they need and break even with the business.
EMS studios are something you will start seeing eventually day in and day out and to make a difference in the market, you need to choose wisely, do a lot of math, meet some professionals in the industry and make sure you start your EMS business with confidence and know-how.
Whatever way you choose, your goal is to be consistent in results towards your community, in order to have your client base grow.
3. Staff skills
The truth is, in the EMS business it all comes down to you. This market is not yet one with a massive online influence and what is important to remember is that you train human beings 1 to 1, people who are physically in front of you and who you want to onboard as regular customers one at a time.
You are the growth engine in the EMS facility. You are the driver. You are the face.
So, if you are not willing to take all that responsibility, hire some professionals who can do all that for you.
You now have the guidance to begin!