Cut the Chaos: Focus on What Actually Grows Your Studio

In the fast-paced world of boutique fitness, it’s easy to get caught up in new opportunities, side projects, and partnerships that seem promising but ultimately pull you away from what truly drives your business forward. Many studio owners find themselves spread thin—juggling multiple initiatives that don’t always align with their core mission. But what if the key to growth isn’t doing more, but rather doing less—more intentionally?

This concept of Core Focus was a major theme in a recent session from the Studio Operations Optimization Program, led by Physique 57 CEO and Co-Founder Jennifer Maanavi. She shared the importance of clarifying what your business does best—and eliminating distractions that don’t serve that vision.

What is Core Focus?

Your Core Focus is the guiding principle that defines why your business exists and what makes it unique. It’s not just about the services you offer, but the deeper purpose that sets your studio apart.

Many fitness entrepreneurs fall into the trap of chasing trends, adding services, or launching new programs without evaluating how they align with their business model. While diversification can sometimes be beneficial, it can also dilute your brand, exhaust your resources, and confuse your clients.

Instead of expanding in every direction, the most successful studios double down on what they do best. They refine their offerings, enhance their core services, and build systems to execute them with excellence.

Knowing What to Say “No” To

One of the most challenging—but powerful—decisions a business owner can make is deciding what not to do. Whether it’s launching a retail line, partnering with a local brand for pop-ups, or offering a completely new class format, every new initiative requires time, money, and energy.

Jennifer shared how her own business, Physique 57, learned to say no to opportunities that didn’t align with their Core Focus—even when they seemed exciting. This clarity allowed them to streamline operations, invest more deeply in their core offerings, and create a brand experience that clients trust and return to.

Are You Staying in Your Lane?

A helpful exercise for studio owners is to evaluate where time and resources are being spent. Ask yourself:

• Is this initiative aligned with my Core Focus?
• Does it contribute to long-term business success, or is it a short-term distraction?
• Am I making decisions based on my studio’s mission, or am I being pulled by external pressures?

The ability to stay in your lane—and do it exceptionally well—is what separates thriving studios from those that constantly struggle to maintain momentum.

Your Core Focus isn’t just a statement—it’s the foundation of your decision-making, operations, and long-term strategy. The most successful studios aren’t the ones that do everything—they’re the ones that commit to doing the right things, exceptionally well.

This topic was a very small part of Session 1 of the Studio Operations Optimization Program led by Physique57's Co-Founder & CEO, Jennifer Maanavi. If you want to dive deeper into actionable strategies that help you lead, not just manage, your business, join us for the full program.