While searching for a new location for our weekly follow ups (Art of Living) in south Austin, I learnt a thing or 2 as with my tradition if it is worth sharing then it is worth writing.
- Google and Yelp were my best friends to find the space, there were days when I used to peruse craigslist but this time around it seemed like so old
- Cold calls always helps, mostly leaving a message or through email, if they are really interested they will come back in a day or 2
- There are way more number of independent yoga studios in Austin than one can imagine. Also, it so happens most of these studios run on sublease by the hour to different instructors
- Corporate structured studios like Barr3, Todd Pilates, Yoga Yoga don’t entertain renting to outsiders
- I did come across some yoga studios who refused for they were concerned about us competing with their philosophy
- Churches were my first priority to check but most of them said no for they would be busy with their youth ministry activities on Sunday evenings.
- School gymnasiums are nice but the rates are pretty high
- From my experience the going rate for a ~800 SQFT open studio space is somewhere between $25-$35, depending on duration and hours of the contract
- What sells is the pictures of the location both inside and outside. To a large extent Google takes care of the outside pics and it would become business owners responsibility.
The best part, in the process of searching for a venue I did learn a thing or 2 about marketing our own Art of Living center. Let me see how much I can impact that in the last 3 months as secretary.
