In this episode, Giana reconnects with Emma, who’s back on the podcast after a year and a half to share her journey from leaving corporate studios to becoming her own boss. Emma dives into how she built a fully booked schedule filled with private lessons and exclusive group classes, offering insights on earning your worth, breaking free from rigid sequencing, and embracing diverse movement modalities. They also tackle deeper industry topics like whitewashing, the dynamics of private lessons, and living your passion.

The episode is packed with practical advice, from strategies for self-promotion—even when studios impose restrictions—to the importance of connection and community. They also discuss the benefits of hosting limited group series and share tips on what to say after classes to foster client relationships. And, of course, there’s some juicy tea, like getting fired by a golden doodle, a rogue audition, and a retreat incident where they had to ask someone to leave early. Don’t miss this candid and insightful conversation!