Opening a yoga studio is exciting — and expensive if you do not plan properly. Here is a practical checklist from studios that have done it successfully.
1. Location
You need foot traffic or destination appeal. Street-level with signage is ideal. Avoid upper floors without lift access — your members carry mats. Target 80–120 sqm for a 15–20 person capacity room. Negotiate a 3-year lease with a break clause at 12 months.
2. Budget
Realistic startup budget: $30,000–$80,000 depending on location and fit-out. Major costs: lease deposit (3 months), fit-out ($15,000–$40,000), mats and props ($2,000–$5,000), insurance ($1,500–$3,000/year), software ($100–$200/month), and 3 months operating cash reserve.
3. Legal
Business registration, liability insurance (non-negotiable), music licensing (APRA/AMCOS in Australia, PRS in UK), and a waiver for every member. Get legal advice on your waiver wording.
4. Software — set up before you launch
You need booking, payments, and a member-facing app from day one. Do not launch with a spreadsheet and Venmo. Set up KOLLABO OS during your fit-out — the setup wizard takes 10 minutes. Have your booking link live before your Instagram launch.
5. Pricing
Research your local market. Set an intro offer (2 weeks unlimited for $39 is standard). Price your unlimited membership at the market rate — do not undercut by more than 10%.
6. Launch marketing
Start Instagram 6 weeks before opening. Document the fit-out. Run a "founding member" pre-sale (20% off the first 50 memberships). Partner with a local cafe or wellness business for cross-promotion.
KOLLABO OS gives you the booking, payments, and branded app from day one — $99/month, no lock-in. Start your setup