How Sweat & Tonic Built a Hot New Concept with Mindbody

After years of building and managing multiple companies, PJ and his wife, Nina, decided that it was time to simplify and create more space to focus on family. Inspired by his love of yoga and his wife's growing passion for fitness, the two combined their interests to open Sweat & Tonic, a first-of-its-kind studio in Australia offering FAR Infrared heated yoga, yoga/fitness, Barre, Boxing, HiiT, Pilates fusion classes, and more. They opened the first franchised location in Sydney, New South Wales.  

Sweat & Tonic Australia seamlessly blends innovation, wellness, and technology to deliver a truly unique and elevated yoga/fitness experience unlike any other. 
 
With a background in IT and software development, PJ brought a detail-oriented mindset to building the business. He knew the importance of reliable systems and scalability—especially with his experience as a Franchisor. That's what led him to a platform he was already familiar with: Mindbody. 

Evaluating every detail, Mindbody delivered

When PJ set out to find the right platform to manage their studio operations, Mindbody was already on the list. He'd used it at several other fitness businesses in the past and knew the platform's potential—but he didn't want to make assumptions. Before committing, he conducted an extensive evaluation of Mindbody and a competing software. With over 400 system requirements on his checklist, PJ scrutinized every feature, function, and integration. 

In his search for the right software, PJ attended more than 30 meetings as he compared Mindbody against the other platform. Throughout that process, he appreciated how thorough and collaborative the Mindbody team was. The salesperson he worked with brought an expert on every call to answer his questions. They knew the platform inside and out and ensured he was up to speed on all the latest improvements since he'd last used Mindbody. 

For PJ, configurability and reliable support were the deciding factors. "I think any business owner would want the ability to customize something for themselves, rather than relying on another company to do it," he said. The ability to quickly make updates, like adding a new reformer or wellness offering to the schedule, was essential. Equally important was having dependable help when needed. "With Mindbody, you have the AI Assistant, you can submit a ticket, but you can also call and talk to someone. The fact that I have someone I can call, pretty much 24/7, with an issue was peace of mind for me." 

A seamless experience with Mindbody

Since implementing Mindbody, Sweat & Tonic has experienced both operational ease and measurable growth. "The system is simple to use and easy to train staff on," PJ noted. It's an essential factor for franchises looking to maintain consistency across locations. 

The Branded App has become a cornerstone of the business, enabling clients to effortlessly sign up for memberships and stay engaged. PJ appreciates its ease of use and considers it an essential tool for any fitness business. He recognizes that developing a custom app can be costly, so having that capability included with Mindbody is a major advantage. PJ also takes full advantage of features like push notifications and limited-time offers to drive new business and boost bookings.  

He especially values the "Invite a Friend" feature, which makes it easy for clients to share their favorite classes and experiences with friends, ultimately helping Sweat & Tonic grow organically. Beyond client engagement, Mindbody's AI Assistant has proven invaluable for streamlining operations, while the reporting feature empowers PJ and his team to make data-driven decisions without the need to manually build reports. 

Mindbody: the platform that grows with you

As Sweat & Tonic looks toward expansion, PJ is confident Mindbody will scale alongside them. "I've used Mindbody in a past life for a business that had over 20 locations," he explained. "The platform's designed to grow with you. As we add new locations, I have no doubt Mindbody will be able to support future franchises." 

When asked about why other fitness and wellness businesses should choose Mindbody, PJ summed it up simply: "Where other companies lack, Mindbody delivers. You can make configurations behind the scenes, and now with Attentive, you can drive more leads. Overall, the platform works well and is robust."