From 1 to 7 Orangetheory Fitness Locations | The GSD Show

Summary

In this insightful interview, Matt Kafora, a multi-business entrepreneur, discusses his journey and strategies for scaling businesses efficiently. As the owner of seven successful Orangetheory Fitness locations, four senior care facilities, and the CEO of Canine Games, Matt shares his experiences in building a strong team, creating systems for business scalability, and the importance of marketing and sales in growing a fitness brand. He emphasizes the significance of a people-centric approach, providing exceptional customer experiences, and the power of consistent follow-ups in sales. Matt's commitment to his team's success and his passion for continuous learning are highlighted as key drivers behind his prosperous ventures.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Matt Kafora is a multi-business owner with seven profitable Orangetheory fitness locations, four senior care facilities, and a dog training company, demonstrating the ability to scale and manage multiple businesses effectively.
• 📊 Despite suffering injuries that incapacitated him, Matt's businesses continued to thrive, highlighting the importance of having strong teams and systems in place for business continuity.
• 💡 The episode emphasizes the significance of creating systems that allow businesses to scale and operate efficiently even in the absence of the owner.
• 👥 Matt attributes his success to having a strong team of around 125 employees across all his businesses, emphasizing the importance of every role in the organization.
• 🤝 He stresses the importance of building relationships and a family atmosphere within the business, which contributes to employee retention and a strong company culture.
• 📈 Matt shares his learnings from his first presale experience, highlighting the importance of investing in marketing and the value of learning from initial struggles.
• 💰 He discusses the financial aspects of running a business, including the importance of understanding and managing numbers, with a focus on maintaining a salary cap between 30-40%.
• 🎯 The concept of lifetime customer value is discussed, with strategies to increase it such as upselling to premium packages and retaining members for longer periods.
• 🚀 Matt talks about the importance of recognizing and rewarding employees for their successes, which can include both monetary bonuses and non-monetary tokens of appreciation.
• 📚 The transcript underscores the value of continuous learning and development, with Matt recommending books like 'The Compound Effect' and 'The Energy Bus' for personal and business growth.
• 💡 The importance of quick and quality follow-up with leads is highlighted, with Matt sharing his strategies for personalized and creative communication to convert leads into paying members.

Q & A

What is Matt Kafora's business background?

Matt Kafora is the owner of seven profitable Orangetheory fitness locations, an area director in franchise, owner of four senior care facilities, and the CEO of the dog training company, Canine Games.

How did Matt's transition from big box gyms to boutique fitness studios affect his business?

Matt found that moving to the boutique fitness space allowed for better personal connections with clients and staff, which contributed to a more successful and enjoyable business experience compared to the big box gym environment.

What is the significance of having a strong team in managing multiple businesses like Matt's?

A strong team is crucial for managing multiple businesses as it allows the owner to delegate responsibilities, ensuring each business runs smoothly and efficiently without constant direct supervision.

How does Matt create a culture of hard-working employees in his businesses?

Matt creates a culture of hard-working employees by building personal relationships, showing genuine care for his employees, and fostering a family-like atmosphere where everyone feels part of the team.

What was Matt's approach to scaling his business and ensuring it could run without him?

Matt focused on creating systems and processes that could be duplicated across his businesses. He ensured that his team was well-trained and capable of maintaining operations in his absence.

How did Matt handle the challenge of managing a growing business while dealing with personal injuries?

Matt relied on the strong team and systems he had in place. His business continued to operate and even improved during his recovery, demonstrating the effectiveness of his team and business structure.

What is the importance of investing in marketing during the pre-sale phase of a new business location?

Investing in marketing during the pre-sale phase is crucial for generating leads and securing a client base before the business opens. This ensures a strong start and helps to cover the initial costs of the pre-sale process.

What is Matt's strategy for converting digital leads into paying members?

Matt's strategy involves a systematic and organized approach to following up with leads. He emphasizes the importance of speed, quantity, and quality in follow-ups, as well as personalizing the outreach to engage leads effectively.

How does Matt ensure that his employees are motivated and performing at their best?

Matt motivates his employees by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and offering rewards and bonuses for achieving targets. He also focuses on maintaining a positive work culture and building emotional connections with his team.

What is the role of sales in Matt's business model and how does he approach it?

Sales play a critical role in Matt's business model as it directly impacts membership growth and revenue. He approaches sales with a focus on providing excellent customer service, building relationships, and creating a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere.

How does Matt measure the performance of his employees across different roles?

Matt measures employee performance based on specific metrics relevant to their roles. For sales associates, it's leads and sales conversion. For coaches, it's retention rates and adherence to corporate standards. Managers are evaluated on overall studio performance, including sales, retention, and staff happiness.