Multi-Studio Mastery

3 Growth Mistakes Every Boutique Fitness Studio Operator Must Avoid, with Ben Ludwig

Episode Summary

What does it really take to scale from one boutique fitness studio to twelve...without losing your culture, your team, or your sanity? In this Season 2 premiere of Multi-Studio Mastery, host Tessa Thomas sits down with fitness executive and leadership expert Ben Ludwig to unpack the real challenges of growing a studio business. From team development to profitability forecasting and systemizing your brand’s magic, Ben shares powerful lessons from scaling fast (12 studios in 18 months), and doing it with intention. Whether you're operating your first studio or expanding to your fifth, this episode is a masterclass in building systems that scale and empower people.

Episode Notes

In This Episode:

• The 3 biggest traps studio owners fall into when trying to scale
• Why “just doing more” is a dangerous growth strategy
• The balance between team development and business growth
• Profitability modeling before expansion — not after
• How mentorship fuels sustainable leadership
• Ben’s favorite quick-win for systemizing chaos
• The mindset shift that separates high-growth operators from hustling founders
   

Key Takeaways:

• Document everything: If it’s not written down, it stays with you forever.
• Invest in your team’s growth: Start reviews with their goals — not just KPIs.
• Profit ≠ Revenue: You need a forecast, not just a feeling.
• Culture scales when systems support it.
• Leadership = Mentorship: The time you spend developing others is never wasted.
   

About the Guest — Ben Ludwig

Ben Ludwig is a fitness industry leadership, sales and strategy expert. He has led global trainings on fitness sales, marketing and operations for over 60 countries, has taught in person and virtual seminars for fitness business owners, and has created sales material for owners and brands across the globe.

Ben is the President of Colossians 3:23-24 Fitness Holdings having partnered with and consulted fitness businesses across the globe, Serves as the Growth Pastor for CrosspointNow Network of Churches across Kansas, is a collaborative author of the Best Selling Book "Real Talk with Real Business Pros" available now. He is an Administrator and Mentor for the IDEA Health and Fitness Mentorship program helping fit pros across the globe grow and make greater impact in thier communities.

He also contributes regularly to multiple fitness business magazines including Fitness Business Insider Magazine, Club Solutions, Club Industry, PFP Magazine, Gym Owner Monthly and many more.

Ben serves during his free time with mission driven causes by serving on non-profit and for profit boards seeking to make a lasting impact on the world around him.

Connect with Ben:

LinkedIn: Ben Ludwig

Instagram: @bcludwig8338

Speaking & Training: Ben’s Speaking Page

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