Welcome to CorporateExaminer Magazine, where we are introducing you to a visionary leader who has redefined the realm of wellness and business: Lindsay Junk.
As the President of YogaSix, Lindsay has curated a narrative of innovation, growth, and empowerment, and in this exclusive feature, we uncover the insights that have fueled her journey.
Step into the world of YogaSix, where Lindsay’s unwavering dedication has transformed it into the premier boutique yoga brand it is today. With a portfolio of nearly 200 open studios and a staggering 600 signed franchise agreements, Lindsay’s strategic brilliance and commitment to well-being have forged an unparalleled legacy in the wellness industry.
In this interview, we explore the nuances of Lindsay’s leadership philosophy – from creating an environment of inclusivity and approachability in the world of yoga to steering her team toward success.
Join us as we delve into the pages of Lindsay Junk’s story, and glean wisdom from her experiences that have propelled YogaSix to become a shining emblem of innovation and achievement.
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Lindsay Junk: My name is Lindsay Junk, and I am the President of YogaSix, the largest boutique yoga brand that offers a broad range of heated and non-heated yoga classes, sculpt classes, slow flow and deep stretch — taking the intimidation factor out of traditional yoga by leading each class and our tribe of members with a calm mind and strong vibe in a modern, fresh way.
YogaSix has nearly 200 open studios and recently surpassed 600 signed franchise agreements, so we are looking forward to continuing our growth and bringing more studios to local markets across the country and beyond.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Lindsay Junk: Our team has worked incredibly hard to leverage the expanded consumer awareness for the mind-body connection and mental health benefits of yoga that the pandemic highlighted.
Since the start of 2021, we have opened 104 studios as of Q2, 2023 and continue to drive brand awareness nationally as well as support our owners to build local brand awareness and a strong “tribe.”
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, are an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Lindsay Junk: In my experience being a valuable part of a team that genuinely cares about each other and works together keeps employees engaged and happy. For me this is something that has always been a part of the way I lead. I truly believe everyone has something to contribute from our most recent hire with little experience to our seasoned sales executive.
It is important to hear perspectives from everyone and not get stuck doing things the same way over and over. We will regularly bring our newest team member who is in graphic design to give her feedback on sales promotions or marketing initiatives.
She comes from a very different background and her experiences have been very different. She has given us invaluable feedback and has become a crucial part of our process. She enjoys the change of pace and also appreciates being given the chance to learn something new and make a solid impact on the business.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Lindsay Junk: There have been many books that have influenced me along the way but most recently David Goggins book, Can’t Hurt Me, has been a fantastic book that I’ve been referencing often for the last few years. We all know business has been challenging especially in the fitness industry .
His book talks about how you really can do more than you think and that your mindset can be your biggest advantage or disadvantage depending on how you think The team and I read the book together and have been referencing it anytime things have gotten challenging.
The book that I have given the most has been The Wealthy Franchise by Scott Greenberg. Scott does a great job explaining life as a franchisee and provides many real life examples of how successful franchisees navigate their businesses. Because Yoga Six is a franchise I have recommended this book to many of our franchisees.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Lindsay Junk: Business is always about overcoming obstacles. There is always a problem to solve. Right now in our business we need to focus on not being distracted by external factors that we cannot control and look at working in areas where we can make an impact.
I spend a lot of time talking to franchise owners and employees who want to cite external forces as the reasons for their poor performance. I always try to lead them back to the areas where they do make an impact and continue to help them measure performance there.
2020, 2021, and 2022 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2023? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Lindsay Junk: Similar to the above question, control the things you can control. Try to focus on areas where your work will make an impact. I also believe that cultivating a strong team that is motivated and happy is important.
Every time a good employee turns over we lose time and revenue. We need to make sure our teams are feeling like they are growing in their careers, feel valued and enjoy coming to work!
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Lindsay Junk: Success in 2023 for me would be the success of all our franchisees and our team’s ability to keep growing the brand.
A franchise like YogaSix is only as strong as the sum of its parts, so we want every owner to be performing well and reaching as many people through the power of yoga as possible.
This interview was originally published on ValiantCEO.
