One Platform, Endless Possibilities: Why MIYU Runs on Mindbody

Founded in 2023 by Zeina Chouman El Eid, a beauty professional and restaurateur, and Karen Abouzeid, a marketing veteran in the beauty industry, MIYU was born from a shared vision between two neighbors. Their goal? To create a community-driven space that brings together beauty, wellness, and mindfulness under one roof.  

At MIYU—which translates to “you are beautiful” in Japanese—clients can experience everything from non-toxic nail care to yoga, reformer Pilates, and sound bath classes. Located in Falls Church, VA, MIYU is a one-stop sanctuary designed to support self-care routines in an inclusive, welcoming environment. 

We spoke with Abouzeid and Chouman El Eid, to learn more about MIYU’s journey and how partnering with Mindbody has supported their vision from the start. 

MIYU needed one platform to handle it all

As the managing partner, Abouzeid oversees most of the day-to-day operations at MIYU—whether she’s welcoming clients into the studio, gathering feedback, or supporting her team. With numerous responsibilities, she recognized the importance of finding a reliable and user-friendly management platform that her team and clients could trust. Convenience and strong support were key priorities, making Mindbody an easy choice. 

A regular fitness class attendee and beauty service client herself, Abouzeid was already familiar with Mindbody. It was a platform she frequently encountered and appreciated for its intuitive design and ease of use. After speaking with other professionals and doing her research, Mindbody consistently rose to the top of the list. It offered the dependability and customization they needed to build the experience they envisioned for MIYU. 

As a new business, the MIYU team prioritized a smooth onboarding experience that would set them up for success from day one. They wanted a system that would not only prepare them to open their doors with confidence but also support a streamlined, efficient workflow for both owners and staff. 

Mindbody provides a smooth and efficient experience for everyone

After successfully completing the onboarding process and getting all their questions answered, Abouzeid and her team were ready to put the Mindbody platform into action. Whether they’re using the desktop version or the business app, they can easily view upcoming classes for the day or week, see who’s signed up, and check if there’s a waitlist. If spots open up, they can quickly move waitlisted clients into available classes—ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for everyone.

The platform has also been effective for client acquisition, thanks to the Mindbody app, which showcases their business to a large audience of consumers. "Thanks to Mindbody, we’ve had several people come in stating that they discovered our business while browsing through the platform to see what was available in the area," Abouzeid shared. "They noticed that we recently popped up and were impressed by our great reviews. This allowed them to view the ratings and comments for each class, helping them decide which options would work best for them.” 

A key feature the team relies on is the reporting dashboard, which offers a comprehensive view of their business performance. From revenue and client visits to memberships and marketing metrics, the dashboard helps them monitor the health of their business in real time. They regularly review which classes are the most popular, how many clients are signing up for memberships, and who their top clients are. 

With access to comprehensive revenue data, Abouzeid can monitor performance on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. These insights enable the team to identify growth opportunities, set objectives, and develop strategies to enhance their offerings and improve client experience. 

MIYU has also taken full advantage of Mindbody’s integrated marketing, which enables them to create and send customized newsletters and email communications. “We send reminders for different classes, and those have definitely helped us stay top of mind with our clients,” said Abouzeid. 

One of the biggest advantages, she noted, is the platform’s versatility and cost-effectiveness. “It’s all-in-one. You can manage reporting, class bookings, staff scheduling, and marketing from the same place,” she explained. With the marketing tools built into the platform, MIYU can easily send branded newsletters and targeted communications to their clients, keeping them engaged and informed—without needing to juggle multiple systems. 

MIYU continues to evolve and grow

In addition to their partnership with Mindbody, MIYU is also a proud ClassPass partner—leveraging the platform to fill unbooked spots and boost revenue. In 2024, they were recognized as "Best Spa or Salon" on the Best of ClassPass list, a testament to the community they’ve cultivated and the high-quality services and experiences they consistently deliver. 

Looking ahead, MIYU has exciting plans in store for both their clients and staff. From expanding their class offerings and workshops to growing their selection of non-toxic nail colors and introducing more pampering services, their goal is to provide even more accessible, affordable, and personalized experiences to their community. With Mindbody by their side, they’re well-equipped to continue growing and evolving.