Blank Space to Booked Solid: How Wild West Pilates Launched with 100+ Clients and a Waitlist
Natasha Remtulla, Owner of Wild West Pilates
“As someone new to the industry, I appreciated having experienced support to help navigate the initial setup and business planning process. Their deep understanding of the fitness space was clear. I’d recommend their services to other new studio owners looking for practical, actionable support to get started.”
With Telomere’s help, Wild West Pilates launched with:
100+ unique first-time visitors in its opening month, filling more than 50 percent of available class spots without any public launch events
Immediate membership growth, crossing 80 active members within the first few weeks.
A first visit retention rate of 52%,
Automations that handled every stage of the client journey
When Ambition Needs a Blueprint
When Natasha of Wild West Pilates reached out, the studio didn’t exist beyond a name and a vision. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she was entering a booming and highly competitive Pilates market where boutique fitness was gaining momentum but demanded precision to stand out. With no prior studio ownership experience, she needed full support in bringing her concept to life from the ground up.
At the time, she didn’t yet have a space. We helped scope out potential locations, advised on commercial terms, and guided her through the process of securing the right lease. This was made more complex by broader economic uncertainty, with shifts in US and Canadian policy affecting consumer confidence and local spending habits.
From there, the mission was clear: turn a blank space into a fully operational and profitable boutique studio in just four months. That meant creating a distinct brand identity, building a complete service model, and implementing systems that would support recurring revenue, retention, and long term growth.
The Telomere Approach: Brand First, Systems Second, Success to Follow
We began by defining Wild West’s brand identity. Natasha knew she wanted something grounded, welcoming, and rooted in connection. We worked closely with her to clarify the brand voice, messaging tone, and core values.
With that clarity in place, we moved to pricing. We created a tiered structure that supported flexibility and recurring revenue. We designed intro offers, drop ins, class packs, and monthly memberships with intent and aligned them with the brand’s positioning. We also developed a limited time Pioneer Membership that created early demand and helped the studio open strong. Within the first few weeks, Wild West surpassed 80 active memberships and filled over 50 percent of class spots, the result of a clean and well timed presale plan.
To support long term sustainability, we optimized Natasha’s existing setup on Momence. We expanded automation across the full client journey, including first visit nurture emails, intro offer conversion flows, and new member onboarding. Everything was triggered by actual behavior, including visits and purchases, allowing for follow up that felt timely and relevant. In the first month, the studio welcomed over 100 new clients and began converting those into active members through strategic touchpoints and clear processes.
On the operations side, we created Wild West’s full SOP library, including instructor expectations and backend workflows. We built a full culture and training guide to align coaching and client experience. We also supported hiring, onboarding, and schedule development to ensure the team opened aligned and ready.
The studio launched with confidence. Automations were live, staff was trained, and the schedule had already been tested. The first visit retention rate hit 52 percent, well above industry average. Every step of the client experience, from booking to follow up, was already mapped and functioning. That allowed the team to focus on delivering a high quality experience from day one.
More Than a Grand Opening: A Studio Poised to Scale
Wild West launched with momentum and structure—a combination that’s rare for a first-time studio owner. The studio welcomed over 100 unique first time visitors in its opening month and filled more than 50 percent of available class spots without any public-facing launch events.
Membership growth was immediate, crossing 80 active members within the first few weeks. With a first visit retention rate of 52 percent, the studio saw early proof that the brand experience, class offering, and onboarding systems were resonating.
Automations handled every stage of the client journey—from first visit follow-up to intro offer conversion to membership onboarding—freeing up the owner to focus on community building and team development. Because the operations were so dialed in, the studio avoided the usual chaos of a first month in business.
Instead of scrambling to patch gaps, Wild West opened with clarity, professionalism, and trust from its earliest clients—laying the foundation for a business built to grow.
Interested in discovering what's possible before you even open your doors? Our signature Studionomics Launch service provides the clarity, strategies, and support you need to ensure your opening is groundbreaking. Book your free intro call today to launch the studio of your dreams!
Ready to begin your studio journey? We've helped hundreds of studios transform their boutique fitness businesses through proven marketing strategies, studio consulting, and comprehensive studio growth solutions. Whether you're struggling with low membership numbers, need help with fitness studio management, or are opening your doors for the very first time, our fitness and wellness industry experts provide the strategic guidance to build a thriving, profitable business. Book your free intro call today and discover how the Telomere playbook for success can help you grow and thrive in today's competitive fitness landscape.
