Grace and Gravity: From Spreadsheets to a Professional Studio

When Yasmin Strong and her friend Janine Bowers founded Grace and Gravity nearly six years ago, they set out to create a welcoming space where their community could experience the benefits of Pilates, yoga, and aerial movement. Since then, their studio has flourished, expanding into two thriving locations in Wallingford (Oxfordshire) and Streatley (Berkshire), England, and offering a diverse range of classes, including pre- and post-natal sessions. We sat down with Strong to explore her journey as a studio owner and how Mindbody has been instrumental in helping her run and grow a successful business. 

A professional edge in the fitness space

In the early days, Strong relied on Excel spreadsheets to track clients and attendance, a manual process that quickly became overwhelming. “I wanted a system that could grow with us,” she recalls. That’s when she turned to Mindbody. She wanted something that would give the studio a professional edge over her competition. Now, with 23 instructors and classes extending beyond the studio to corporate spaces, schools, and local council partnerships, having a scalable, reliable system has been essential to managing their expanding business.

Defying gravity with Mindbody

As both a business owner and a mother, Strong's days are carefully balanced between family and running Grace and Gravity. She spends about four to six hours daily on the platform, using its features to streamline operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Her mornings begin with taking her daughter to daycare before shifting her focus to studio operations. She starts her workday by checking emails, reviewing cancellations, and logging into Mindbody to track daily snapshots, run sales reports, and oversee client activity. Each month, she also runs payroll and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) using Mindbody’s reporting and analytics tools to track revenue, class performance, and business growth across both locations. 

Grace and Gravity relies on several of Mindbody's features to automate key business functions and streamline operations, including: 

• Payments: Automates transactions, eliminating the need for manual processing
• Marketing tools: Allows the team to send newsletters and promotional emails to keep clients engaged and informed, while also showcasing client feedback through reviews
• Branded app: Simplifies class reservations, making it easy for clients to secure their spots
• Staff management: Reduces administrative work by tracking payroll for instructors
• Reporting: Tracks key performance indicators (KPIs), revenue, class performance, and business growth across both locations, providing valuable insights for decision-making 

With these tools in place, Mindbody allows Strong and her team to focus on delivering high-quality classes while ensuring the business runs smoothly. 

Elevating the client experience and studio operations

With over 500 five-star reviews, Grace & Gravity has built a strong reputation for excellence. Mindbody has played a key role in enhancing both the client experience and studio efficiency by automating key processes, streamlining operations, and providing a seamless booking system. This allows Grace & Gravity to focus on delivering exceptional classes while minimizing administrative tasks.  

From a client perspective, Mindbody has made booking and managing classes effortless. Clients can easily view their schedules, book, and cancel classes at their convenience, giving them greater flexibility and control over their fitness routines. The ability to book classes in advance ensures they secure their favorite sessions, with many scheduling months ahead. Additionally, automations, such as birthday emails and discounts, add a thoughtful touch that makes clients feel valued and appreciated. 

Beyond the platform’s capabilities, Strong values Mindbody’s support team, which has played a crucial role in helping her maximize the software’s potential.

Overall, Strong describes her experience with Mindbody as both helpful and beneficial for business growth. The combination of advanced technology, automation, and expert support has empowered Grace and Gravity to operate efficiently, attract and retain clients, and continue thriving as they approach their sixth anniversary.

Growing with grace

Strong and her team remain focused on growth, community, and delivering excellent client experiences. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue expanding the studio, hosting more events, and reaching even more people through wellness. With Mindbody supporting every aspect of her business she has the tools to scale efficiently while maintaining the personalized touch that sets her studio apart.