Gym Business - Business for Unicorns Podcast

John Farkas, New Business for Unicorns partner and seasoned gym operator who advises on expansion, shares sharp guidance on moving to a second location. He discusses aligning growth with your life goals. He explains testing whether your current operation can run without you. He stresses realistic pro formas, cash buffers, and timing before signing leases.

G.R. Hoff, founder of Gym Member Machine and paid-ads expert for boutique gyms. He breaks down why ads still work but need sharper funnels and better offers. They debate free trials versus high-ticket offers, compare Meta, Google, TikTok, and share practical ad and AI testing tactics. Practical, tactical conversation about lowering acquisition friction and building effective local campaigns.

This episode is brought to you by PushPress, an AI-powered gym management platform built for owners who actually run their gym like a business. They bring everything into one place — billing, scheduling, lead management, marketing automation, websites, and member training — so you spend less time juggling software and more time growing your gym. They are offering Business for Unicorns members 30% off PushPress Core and 30% off Grow, their marketing CRM built specifically for gyms. Head to the link in our show notes or mention that you are BFU member when you meet with the team: https://www.pushpress.com/offer/business-for-unicorns-pushpress-2026 About Business for Unicorns Business for Unicorns helps gym owners and fitness studio operators build profitable, sustainable businesses without burning out. Founded by Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler —who built and sold the $34-million Mark Fisher Fitness —BFU provides coaching, mentorship, courses, and events for gym owners ready to grow revenue, systemize operations, and create more freedom in their lives. To learn more, check out businessforunicorns.com. Get More BFU In Your Life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Ready to Grow Your Gym? If you're a gym owner with 30+ clients looking to add $5k-$10k/month in the next 90 days, book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.

Stephen Ross, founder of Movement Hub Santa Clara and former one-on-one trainer turned small-group owner. He shares why he moved to semi-private training and how a pilot rollout converted existing clients. You’ll hear how stepping off the training floor created time for boots-on-the-ground marketing, corporate outreach, and systems that drove major revenue growth.

Pete Dupuis, performance training gym owner and business coach known for Cressy Sports Performance, offers intensive mentorship days. He explains the concentrated MBA-style format and why in-person deep dives matter. Hear what a typical day includes, who benefits most, the diagnostic 'business biomarkers' approach, and how customized action plans and compassionate, candid support accelerate progress.

About Business for Unicorns Business for Unicorns helps gym owners and fitness studio operators build profitable, sustainable businesses without burning out. Founded by Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler —who built and sold the $34-million Mark Fisher Fitness —BFU provides coaching, mentorship, courses, and events for gym owners ready to grow revenue, systemize operations, and create more freedom in their lives. To learn more, check out businessforunicorns.com. Get More BFU In Your Life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Ready to Grow Your Gym? If you're a gym owner with 30+ clients looking to add $5k-$10k/month in the next 90 days, book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.

Mark Fisher, fitness entrepreneur who built and sold Mark Fisher Fitness and now coaches gym owners. He discusses how AI could reshape gym operations soon. They cover AI as a productivity partner, practical agent tasks like dashboards and customer service, timelines for change, and the need to systemize workflows and audit tasks before automating.

This episode is sponsored by Kilo. Want a clearer way to run your gym? See why so many BFU gyms use Kilo HERE. ************************************* About Business for Unicorns Business for Unicorns helps gym owners and fitness studio operators build profitable, sustainable businesses without burning out. Founded by Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler —who built and sold the $34-million Mark Fisher Fitness —BFU provides coaching, mentorship, courses, and events for gym owners ready to grow revenue, systemize operations, and create more freedom in their lives. To learn more, check out businessforunicorns.com. Get More BFU In Your Life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Ready to Grow Your Gym? If you're a gym owner with 30+ clients looking to add $5k-$10k/month in the next 90 days, book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.

This episode is brought to you by Wodify — gym management software built for founders like you. Right now, new customers get $100 off per month, for life. Learn more in the show notes or visit wodify.com. ************************************* About Business for Unicorns Business for Unicorns helps gym owners and fitness studio operators build profitable, sustainable businesses without burning out. Founded by Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler —who built and sold the $34-million Mark Fisher Fitness —BFU provides coaching, mentorship, courses, and events for gym owners ready to grow revenue, systemize operations, and create more freedom in their lives. To learn more, check out businessforunicorns.com. Get More BFU In Your Life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Ready to Grow Your Gym? If you're a gym owner with 30+ clients looking to add $5k-$10k/month in the next 90 days, book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.

Learn More about Altanta Retreat and grab a seat HERE. About Business for Unicorns Business for Unicorns helps gym owners and fitness studio operators build profitable, sustainable businesses without burning out. Founded by Mark Fisher and Michael Keeler —who built and sold the $34-million Mark Fisher Fitness —BFU provides coaching, mentorship, courses, and events for gym owners ready to grow revenue, systemize operations, and create more freedom in their lives. To learn more, check out businessforunicorns.com. Get More BFU In Your Life: Claim your FREE copy of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to MF's YouTube Channel HERE Ready to Grow Your Gym? If you're a gym owner with 30+ clients looking to add $5k-$10k/month in the next 90 days, book your FREE Brainstorm Call HERE.