The Business Behind a Successful Yoga Studio: Branding, Marketing & Fair Pay | A Conversation with Ashlee McDougall
In this episode, I sit down with Ashlee McDougall, owner of Yoga Loft, to talk about what it takes to build a successful yoga studio while living with cystic fibrosis.
We dive into the business side of yoga, including building a strong brand, paying teachers fairly, and supporting them through mentorship and feedback.
Ashlee also shares her four practical tips for growing on social media, why she doesn't overplan her content, and why she's doubling down on non-heated vinyasa yoga rather than following industry trends.
01:23 Ashley McDougall's Journey to Yoga
03:38 From Personal Practice to Teaching
07:04 Deciding to Lead and Build Community
09:37 The Power of Branding in Studio Success
11:50 Creating Cohesive Visual Identity
14:45 Rewriting the Yoga Industry with Values
18:04 Living the Dream: Success and Challenges
20:30 Fair Pay and Studio Economics
22:36 Marketing Strategies and Workshop Success
27:22 Physical Space and Storytelling
30:13 The Enduring Power of Yoga
38:39 The Role of Branding in Business Success
39:37 Leadership and Team Support
43:45 Social Media Authenticity and Strategy
52:30 Top Tips for Social Media Success
55:10 Marketing Beyond Social Media
58:45 Living the Dream: Advice and Inspiration
This November 2026, Iā€™m bringing back a small cohort of Yoga Teacher Launchpad to help you refine your teaching skills, build confidence, and create transformational experiences your students love. Spots are limited, and Iā€™m offering this program at a fraction of its usual costā€”apply through THIS LINK HEREor email tara@tesniyoga.com to see if you are a fit.
