[Michellejade]

Mondays and Tuesdays are the busiest at my studio!

[Michellejade]

yes, definitely annoying!   that's why it is so important to have lots of pole friends!   <3 they make everything better!

[Michellejade]

Thank you so much for the replies ladies!   I have found all of them very informative and helpful…and have read through the previous threads too…   It seems like that while a lot of students prefer one to a pole (for hygenic and maximum pole time use),  studios (especially those with less poles) need to have 2 per pole as it is more cost effective.  However, while some students don't want to, i think breaks are important, and there is always rubbing alcohol and clothes to wipe the poles. As I have learned, this is a difficult, and expensive business, and to keep the doors open, and costs down, as much as a lot of people like 1 per pole, i don't think it is not realistic, especially when prices at the studio are already super affordable (which mine are).  The idea of having a 75 minute class for 2 per pole does sounds like it can keep both parties happy though, and I would be willing to implement that i think to maintain quality, but keep profits up.    I personally don't mind sharing sometimes as a student…it is certainly nice to have my own, but during 'prime time' lesson slots, such as 7 pm on a week night, i understand if I have to share from time to time, and who am I to deny a studio (especially if their rates are already more than reasonable) allowing another in.  I think more than 2 per pole is too much, unless it is some international workshop stuff of course.

Yogabeachbabe – I did try to reach out to that student….i didn't directly ask her what was going on, but I texted her the next day after she left and informed her that I was only expecting a few ladies that evening, and assured her there would be lots of room.   Also, she had attended several classes before that, where there were only 1 or 2 other people, and sometimes when she was the only one!   During these, she did ask what is the class got more than 7 people (i have 7 poles), in which I told her, it happens very rarely, but when it does we share poles and it works out.  She said nothing back, and didn't seem too concerned about it, but maybe she was.  Despite this 'warning' she must have gotten so turned off by having 9 people in class potentially compared to just 1 or 2 others, that she left, and has not come back since.   Since I have reached out to her  once already, and expressed an interest in communicating with her and trying to get her into class, the ball is in her court at this point :/   

Thank you so much for the replies again!  I really do appreciate your time and effort, and hope I can be helpful to you as well at some point in the future.  I think I have a clearer idea of some of the changes I will make now.  Thank you!

[Michellejade]

i suggest learning everything on both sides….especially inverts…..keeping those muscles balanced will decrease right of injuries.   It might take a while, but that's ok, no better time than to start than now!  🙂    Also, down the road, once moves have been conquered on both sides, you won't run into training roadblocks, or choreography road blocks, as both sides will be an option

[Michellejade]

I only know of one major pole competition that doesn't allow you to compete if you are currently a stripper… and that would be the one Nicki Shaw one.    Are there any others?  And this doesn't make any sense to me…..because it is EXPENSIVE to fly to other parts of the US and world to compete.  Airfare, food hotel, time off……most people aren't getting sponsored by big pole companies, and many people don't have rich husbands or well paid 'respectable' jobs.   I have actually known girls who have competed, and picked up some extra stripping shifts just to make plane fare, as their $10 an hour they received at their 'regular' job didn't allow enough money left over for such luxuries.

[Michellejade]

definitely divisive and descriminatory… not ok.  Studio events should bring the ladies of the studio together, not exclude and divide them.  I would bring it up in a nice way….it is important to voice this very legitimate point and concern….perhaps she will change your mind if you explain why you think it is not right.    

[Michellejade]

paintilady,

I was talking about just the first class as a first timer to the studio would be $10, as a promotion, and then offer 20% off of a package they buy on the spot.   After that intro drop in would be $20.   I would like to remain private on where I am, assuming people in my area are likely to be on here, and I would rather them not know all my problems lol.   Thanks again ladies!   You have been a big help…will make some changes now in my promotion…good buy 'too good to be true' intro special  lol

[Michellejade]

max 2 hours intense at a time…..ideally even an hour and a half i think… with last minutes dedicated to stretching.   Workouts lasting longer than an hour and a half can deplete your energy stores, and also led to injury.  If you had a carbohydrate drink on hand, you might be able to safely go longer, as it will refuel glycogen stores in your muscles.  But, another issue is the fact that you are going every other week and training this hair…which can also lead to injury potentially.    If however you are just hanging out at a friends house taking random turns on the pole in a more casual setting, this is different than a 2-4 hour intensive studio training session.

[Michellejade]

Yes, paintilady, there are a few other studios in the area, so there is competition.   Interesting what you say about removing the sexy stuff from the site….that is most of the requests I get at my studio…for floorwork etc.  At first I thought the intro special would get people in the door and once they see how great it was, then they would sign up….well I knew not ALL of them obviously, but I thought maybe at least a third to half of them would….. but I think you are right Koidragon, they get used to paying a mere 3-5 bucks per class (not enought to pay my gas money, let alone the costs of my business, and money to support me) then the packages I offer, which are very reasonably prices seem unreasonable compared to the intro special.  Another option I was mulling over was offering your first pole class for $10, and then offer 20% off a class package if you buy one on your first visit.   Any thoughts?   I do like the free class pass for the loyal customers Koidragon, thank you for the suggestion.

[Michellejade]

Thank you so much for the feedback ladies!   Opening my studio has been both an exciting, challenging, and sometimes very lonely process…it helps to have this space to communicate about these things.   Overall, it seems impossible to make EVERYONE happy.   I don't want people to 'take me for a ride', but also don't want to loose any long term clients.    

Just out of curiosity, while on the topic, does anyone here offer introductory specials at their studio?  or other first time promotion rates?   If so;"
, I am curious about what the retention rate of those are, those who actually keepkuL>? coming and paying full price.  I am offering an intro special at my studio in which you can come in as many times as you want for $20, but about 95%  of them never come back.  These are people who come to 5+ classes a week, so clearly they are enjoying it!  Not to mention, they seem to be having a ball in class, laughing, asking question etc…so it is not the quality of product that is the reason for them not continuing.  It is frustrating, and I am thinking about discontinuing it because it seem s like I am only attracting people who want to take advantage of the deal and not actually become a member of the studio.  Because I just opened, often they might be the only one in class, and have no problem getting 1 or more private lessons out of it from me at just a few dollars cost to them.   I recently started offering 20% off of a class package or membership when you buy it during your intro special, and that has had some improvement in retention rate, but not much.  While the exposure is nice, and it gets people in the door, these deal obsessed people are starting to drive me completely wacko, and I am so over it.   Any input or sharing of your experiences very much appreciated!

[Michellejade]

Thank you ladies, I appreciate the advise.  When I chose the name of my studio (which I want to refrain from saying it for the moment as it is not TM'ed yet) I did do the search on the internet high and low….but, another studio on the other side of the US just opened 3 days ago with the same name.  I am now on the fence about what to do. I want to pursue a trademark before they do (if they haven't already), before they could try and make me change my name later potentially, or so it seems…even though I opened my business several months before them.  BUT apparently if I can prove that I opened before them, which I can, I might not have to change it even if they end up getting the TM due to what is calle 'common law tm' or so a lawyer told me.  While the idea of obtaining one ASAP, and eventually possible making them change their studio name does not sound super fun, I also do not want the public to think it is another branch of my studio.  Oh what to do? :/  

Annglern, just curious…when you got your TM did you file it yourself or did you hire a private attorney?  While I am tightly budgeted at the moment, doing it myself makes more sense financially (still $325), but I have heard that it can be a complicated and long process, and several sources online seem to recommend that a professional do it…which would cost significantly more.

[Michellejade]

I totally understand!  Society is has some screwed up sexist views in my opinion.   Is there anyway you might be ok with him just tagging along and just getting a beer and laying low?   I have danced in a club for almost 10 years, and trust me, we don't like the bachelor parties either!  Depending on where they are from they can be a bit much to say the least.  Also, to reinterate what some other ladies said, it really depends on where you are and what club.  In Portland, a lot of the clubs are strictly no touching, and air dances, with most of the activity being laying dollars on the stage while the girl shakes her booty (visual entertainment).  I personally think most women are much more ok with the idea of their husband tagging along as long as they don't get lap dances, or smothered by some girls boobs.