If you are considering opening up your own barre studio, I HIGHLY recommend Amy Mewborn and Studio In A Box! I will be opening the doors to my new studio in two weeks and simply could not have done this without Amy’s knowledge, expertise, advice, humor and friendship. I was trying to decide between just the SIB and the Full Package, with added one-on-one time with Amy. After receiving a glowing testimonial from another client of Amy’s, my decision was simple - I went all in. It was one of the easiest (and best) decisions I have made.

While the abundant information and resources in the SIB portal are valuable time and money savers, I have found the most value and support in my direct contact with Amy (my “Amy Dates”). Our entire process of opening our studio was just a few months and Amy’s analogy of “drinking water through a fire hose” was spot on (I recommend having a bit more lead time, if you enjoy things like sanity and sleep)! In addition to her vast knowledge and experience (lease negotiations build out, staffing, marketing, etc.),

Amy is honest, professional, personable, kind, and fun. Opening a studio has been my dream for the past 8 years. My investment in Amy and SIB has been worth every penny. She has been my consultant, my counsel, my guide, my rock and my friend. And that, is invaluable to me.

I have been planning on opening a studio since I was 5 years old. I dreamed about what I would teach and how I would decorate and that my dad would build it for me. But then, I moved from my tiny town to Silicon Valley, California and I realized that I’d be competing with franchises that had entire boards dedicated to curriculum and purchasing and music! How to compete with these fitness giants who made their money telling their studio owners what to do? At first I went through the process of franchising and was accepted...twice, but both times I felt a tiny voice that told me I didn’t need panels of strangers telling me how to run my dream. That voice also chided that I had no idea how to open a studio that would compete with the Barres and Core Powers in my area, so I started to research.

I found Amy and Studio in a Box by complete accident when I was researching a particular franchise and discovered the only two near me had been closed. I wanted to know why, (was it market, was it not viable, was it by choice?) and so I messaged Amy on Linkedin. She called me the next day to explain that it wasn’t the market, it was definitely viable, and yes it was by choice as she had reclaimed her studio from the franchise and was now helping other women to do the same. It was like my barre guardian angel speaking as I learned that I could have help and a program to follow without selling my rights and paying someone 10% of my gross earnings.
 
I booked my plane ticket that week and was in Amy’s living room a few weeks later. I was the very first Studio in a Box client, so I had no one to ask and no one to vouch for the success of Studio in a Box, but I went for it and it was without a doubt the best money I have spent for my studio to date. Studio in a Box is fantastic; it walks you through your business plan, studio build out, hiring packets, and props. Literally, everything you need is in an online portal that walks you from step one to step 100. How to protect your brand by trademarking it, (feel free to look up Flex Fusion Studios, we are a registered mark!) how to find employees, how to register your business with the state. Licenses and permitting and things that when I said I wanted to own a studio I never would have guessed, and I am a third generation entrepreneur! The logistics of business ownership - that is where Amy shines and where she saved me time and time again.
 
Starting a studio is scary. Owning a studio is terrifying. But it is also fulfilling, and gratifying and rewarding and there is nothing like meeting a new client and saying, “Hi, I’m the owner.” Do it, but have help. I’m not sure when Amy sleeps, but I know she never ignored a late night email or a desperate “what do I do?!” text message. There are things I would change about my process to studio ownership, but I would choose Studio in a box every time.
Good luck!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Amy's Studio in a Box program.  My studio is now open and I'm beginning to live the life I have always dreamed.  I had contemplated opening a franchise and had been speaking with one in particular but I had always heard that you were buying yourself a job when you buy into a franchise...which is what I wanted to leave.  They also required very high liquidity and required me to quit my job.  I thirsted for the freedom to do what I wanted and to have the flexibility without rules and fees, but also wanted (and needed) the support.
 
I would not have gotten my loan or a real estate agent to take me seriously without the documents provided for a business plan and financial projections within the program.  Creating these documents from scratch would have taken forever since I have zero experience in the management of a studio.  The operations manual, instructor guide, and client forms were a huge time saver and had ideas in them that I hadn't thought to implement.  I continue to reference all the documentation and it is the first place I go if I'm running into an issue and not sure what to do.  Also, Amy is always available for a quick question and wants you to succeed.  I highly recommend it for anyone dreaming of starting a studio without the franchise fees, while maintaining true creative freedom.  

Amy’s program is exceptional.  She is a very caring person.  She goes above and beyond to assist and help you succeed.  She provided every bit of feedback I requested when asking for assistance.  Amy checked on me on a regular basis.  I would highly recommend her program versus trying to wing it or go it alone.  It is tough out there and if I had to do it all over again I would still have signed up for her program. 

The most valuable pieces to me were the wealth of documents containing information that I needed prior to opening.  This would include:

• the checklists
• the HR forms
• the ad templates for hiring instructors
• the equipment links, etc 
  
  

ALL OF THIS was extremely helpful!

In addition, I was able to take the information from the marketing and PR section and get local media coverage for my events!

As I started out my dream of having my very own studio, I really didn’t think I would be able to NOT go with a franchise.  I just didn’t think I had enough business and marketing knowledge to start up a studio from scratch.
 
I came across Amy and her business on the internet, and was intrigued. She seemed to have everything spelled out for someone like me, who just didn’t know where to start. As I looked deeper into the world of franchises, I realized how limited I would be, financially and creatively, to start up this dream. I decided to take advantage of scheduling a call with Amy, just to learn about what she could do and if it was really possible to start up my very own studio.
 
I was pleasantly surprised when we spoke on the phone, there were no high pressure gimmicks, or lots of salespeople transferring me to different departments. It was just Amy, and she was very knowledgeable and also very patient with all of my questions.
 
I decided to hire Amy to be my consultant for my business because I could tell she was trustworthy, dependable and she really was interested in what MY vision for my studio. She has continued to be available to me whenever I need something or have a question.
 
We have weekly meetings via FaceTime or telephone, she never makes me feel unimportant. Her studio in a box business program is a packed with everything I could think of that I needed for my business.
 
If there is a form or document out there that you need, Amy has it! I have been able to get sound advice on my studio build out, marketing ideas, and encouragement on a personal level.
She is everyone’s cheerleader!   
 
I have not regretted my decision to hire Amy. I can’t imagine the stress I would be under if I had decided to go with a franchise--the fees, the monthly royalty payments, the lack of personal expression… the list goes on. 
 
If you have a dream of owning your own studio, Amy’s so worth it!