How This NY Pole Studio Ditched Mindbody & Reclaimed Lost Revenue

The Cheeky Peach is a vibrant boutique pole studio with two locations in New York, specializing in Pole, Aerial, and Floor classes. The studio offers an innovative blend of cardio and weight training for a full-body workout experience while their clients take to the air. 

In conversation with Jess Reisert, owner of The Cheeky Peach, New York.

At a Glance

Challenge

As The Cheeky Peach expanded to two busy NY locations, Jess Reisert found Mindbody's hidden fees increasingly burdensome.

Solution

After exploring alternatives, Kenko stood out. The switch provided transparent pricing, ROI on comprehensive booking features, and a custom-branded app.

Impact

Clients at The Cheeky Peach enjoy seamless booking, the studio projects a professional brand image, and automation saves valuable time.

The Challenge: Growing pains with Mindbody

When managing two busy locations, Jess quickly realized that Mindbody (her previous business management software) was becoming a liability rather than an asset. As The Cheeky Peach grew more successful, the platform grew more expensive.

"We found that there were increasingly more hidden fees that we were hit with. So the more we grew, the more hidden fees got taken out from our revenue, and it increased over time. So as we did better, they took more."

The final breaking point came with an unexpected financial blow:

"It hit hard, we were slapped with a massive credit card fee—thousands of dollars—on top of all the other costs, all due at once."

Beyond just fees, Jess discovered that the platform's marketplace was taking substantial cuts from sales that should have been fully hers:

"Even if a new visitor found us organically, Mindbody automatically brought them to the marketplace for the purchase. Mindbody's marketplace also takes a cut of every sale. A $100 package meant I'd only see $80 after their fees, which just didn't feel right", says a frustrated Jess. 

Subscription functionality, crucial for recurring revenue, was another major pain point:

"With Mindbody, students couldn't set up recurring subscriptions through the app—they had to go to the website, which led to confusion and extra calls for my team to handle manually. It was frustrating—why pay for an app that doesn't let people buy our main product? There have been times when we lost clients from wanting that subscription."

The Solution: Transparent Pricing and Superior Functionality

After exploring alternatives, Kenko stood out for its transparency and comprehensive feature set:

"While leaving Mindbody, I considered WellnessLiving but saw the same hidden fees. Kenko, on the other hand, was completely transparent. I also loved that for a small additional cost, we could have our own branded app—it's amazing."

The switch provided The Cheeky Peach with more control and better tools:

"With Kenko, we get more features, better marketing tools, and full control over purchases—no third parties taking a cut. Everything is in one place, making it easier for clients to buy memberships and subscriptions on their own. It makes running my business easier."

The Impact: Immediate Time Savings and Enhanced Client Experience

The benefits of switching to Kenko were apparent within the first week:

"Kenko gave us the freedom to be more hands-off. In the first week alone, not having to manually input memberships, confirm, bookings or do routine attendances, saved me so much time and energy to focus elsewhere."

The automated systems run smoothly, and booking is effortless. The Cheeky Peach is a leader in the local pole scene thanks to its premium and seamless experience.

"Another difference is that people can come right to the app or right to our website. They can book right from there, and then they automatically get the email with instructions on our policy. Everything is automated, and it makes us feel very professional."

The custom-branded app dramatically improved client engagement while enhancing the studio's visibility and professional image.

"Having our own branded app just makes us look more professional. When clients check their phones, our app is right next to their favorite ones, so they see us every day—plus the booking is seamless, and it makes the whole experience even better."

Conclusion

For The Cheeky Peach, switching to Kenko wasn't just about changing software—it was about finding a partner that supported their growth rather than penalizing it. For Jess and her team, Kenko’s custom-branded app transformed client engagement and enhanced the studio's professional presence. Now the team focuses on what matters—exceptional service across both NY locations—while saving time and reducing costs.