I recently stepped into a new in-person teaching experience, and it already feels like I’m learning more than I expected — not just about teaching, but about how a holistic wellness business actually runs day to day.
This isn’t just a yoga studio. It’s a full healing space. People come in for different things — yoga, massage, acupuncture, sauna — and what stood out to me right away is how naturally those services overlap. I saw someone come in for a class and end up booking a massage right after. It wasn’t forced or “sold” to them. It just made sense in the moment.
That changed how I think about value. It’s not just about one service — it’s about how everything connects.
The overall environment also felt different from what I expected. People were friendly, open, and actually took time to talk. It didn’t feel transactional. No one was rushing in and out, and there wasn’t any obvious push to sell anything. It felt like people trusted the space, and that trust is probably why they keep coming back.
One thing that became clear pretty quickly is how important it is to remember people. Names matter. Familiarity matters. That’s part of the experience just as much as the class itself.
On the backend, things are surprisingly simple. There’s no complicated system — just a physical rolodex with index cards to track memberships. It works, but only if you’re paying attention. It was a good reminder that even simple systems still require consistency and attention to detail.
From what I can tell so far, most of their business seems to come from local search and word of mouth. They already have a solid base of regulars and a strong location, which makes a big difference. At the same time, it made me think about how much opportunity there is to build on that — especially when it comes to staying connected with people outside of the studio.
Another thing I picked up on was the way people talk. A few customers casually mentioned how “adulting is hard” or how their jobs have been draining. It wasn’t anything dramatic — just normal conversation — but it says a lot. These are people who are functioning, showing up, and doing what they need to do, but they’re tired. And they’re actively looking for something that helps them feel better.
It clicked for me pretty quickly that this is the same audience I’ve been building for online. Not in theory, but in real life.
What I’m starting to see is that a wellness business isn’t just about the service. It’s about the environment, the relationships, and the consistency of the experience. On one side, I’m building something online where visibility and reach matter. On the other, I’m seeing how retention and real connection actually work in person.
It feels like two sides of the same system.
I’m still early in this experience, but even from day one, it’s clear there’s a lot to learn just by paying attention.
xoxo
coco
