data

So the intent of this blog really is to talk about running and opening a small business. Sometimes I get a little off track...

Since the beginning of March, I've had this new software that keeps track of students and classes and revenue. It will turn the data all different kinds of ways, and for the first time, I have a really clear picture of how the business is doing. This is a blessing and a curse.

If there is one big emotional lesson that small business owners get, it is a lesson in letting go. When I have really big days and people are buying all kinds of stuff, class packs and mats and tee shirts, I get really happy and excited and feel successful. Then there are other days, where nobody buys anything, very little revenue comes in, and I get fearful and worried and think that it will always be like that.

Looking at data on a day-by-day basis is impossible not to do, but really not that useful. What's really important are the trends. The good news for square one is that our numbers are up. From December to January, we grew 30%. This is totally normal for the yoga business as people are home from the holidays full of New Year's resolutions. The really great news is that March is shaping up to be 40% bigger than February, and now is the time when we should be seeing a drop from the New Year's boom. The move was very good for us.

I have goals for the studio. I have always had goals for the studio, but it was really hard to know how I was doing because I didn't have easy access to the numbers. If we have 40% growth again next month, we will just about reach these initial goals. We will still have room to grow. According to my software, we are only operating at about 16% capacity right now. But once the initial goals are met, the studio will be completely healthy (and so will my personal finances). It may not happen in one month, but there's nothing wrong with setting the bar high. The tricky part is that then I have to let go of it. I have to keep doing my job in the best way I can all the while understanding that the results are completely out of my hands. It's really hard and I'm not that good at it.

But I do love having all of this data at my fingertips. It's so much fun to look at, especially since we're growing so quickly. The trick is to also be okay when the growth slows. That's when I will definitely need the yoga.