Welcome to another episode of HALO Talks! On today's Fast Break, host Pete Moore catches up with Erika Wasser, Co-Founder of Prospr. This is Erika's second appearance on the pod, her first being back in 2020. (Link below to the full episode.)

Wasser has been on a mission to streamline club and studio operations for years, tackling the challenge of consolidating disparate tools into one seamless platform. She shares some exciting updates about how Prospr has evolved into an enterprise-level solution, now integrating with major platforms like Awardco, Mariana Tek, and Mindbody, with more on the horizon.

She also touches on why a lot of businesses are switching over to her solution. Mainly it's because of its power to consolidate multiple management tools and create operational consistency across. She mentions tons of new features like auto-routed ticketing, robust operational checklists, AI-powered scheduling, and bilingual communications, all designed to make life easier for managers and frontline staff.

As always, Erika brings her trademark wisdom and humor ("If you're an entrepreneur, prep your liver!") offering candid advice for fellow entrepreneurs about patience and perseverance. Listen now to hear how Prospr is transforming the way studios and clubs operate.

Resources:

• Erika Wasser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-wasser-b7176817
• Prospr: https://prospr.work/
• Erika's first HALO Talks: https://www.halotalks.com/erika-wasser-co-founder-prospr-at-work/
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Connect With Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehaloadvisors/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integritysquare
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@halotalks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/
Website: https://www.halotalks.com

In this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore reconnects with longtime friend and real estate industry veteran Jeff Roseman, Vice Chairman at Newmark and previous guest. (Podcast #151. Link below.) Together, they dive into the surging demand for fitness and wellness tenants in New York City, discussing how the HALO space has helped revitalize the retail and office markets.

Jeff shares insider perspectives on landlord-tenant dynamics, the nuances of leasing deals—including the New York-centric "good guy clause"—and the importance of understanding market economics. The conversation covers emerging concepts, evolving tenant rep strategies, and the exciting growth of new brands shaping the city's HALO landscape.

Whether you're a seasoned operator, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what's driving NYC's commercial real estate trends, this episode is packed with practical insights, some fun anecdotes, and a bullish outlook on the future of in-person fitness and retail.

On the good guy clause Roseman says, "The good guy guarantee is just you basically guaranteeing that you're going to stay in the space, you're guaranteeing that you're going to pay rent, and if business is terrible and you have to leave, you just hand back the keys . . . because getting the keys back from a delinquent tenant can take a year, if not longer. And that really screws everything up."

Key themes discussed

• Surge in fitness/wellness tenants in NYC real estate.
• Landlord flexibility with new fitness concepts and brands.
• Importance and explanation of the Good Guy clause.
• Tenant support: Financial guidance and market understanding.
• Shifts in lease terms, rents, and office building resets.
• Notable fitness/wellness brands landlords favor recently.

A Few Key Takeaways:

1.Fitness & Wellness Tenants Are Booming in NYC: Jeff mentions that fitness and wellness tenants in NYC surged by 40% year-over-year. The variety of brands—from Pilates to high-intensity and recovery concepts—highlights a vibrant, evolving landscape that's energizing the local commercial real estate market.

2. The HALO Sector Has Been a Lifeline for Commercial Real Estate: Fitness, wellness, and associated businesses have played a crucial role in making office buildings more attractive post-pandemic. Amenities like fitness centers, healthy cafes, and wellness offerings are now seen as vital for drawing people back to workspaces, not just traditional banks or drugstores.

3. Landlord-Tenant Dynamics & the Role of Good Guy Guarantees: Pete and Jeff also talk about the "unique" structure of New York City leases, especially the use of the "good guy" guarantee. This provision allows independent operators flexibility to exit a lease without ongoing liability if things don't work out, while big national chains with strong credit are typically held to stricter long-term obligations.

4. Site Selection Is About More than Just Rent and Buildout Costs: Roseman emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics, competition, and location history—not just the physical space or potential cost savings from a previous tenant's buildout. Success comes down to execution, market insight, and a thorough understanding of what makes a site (and business model) viable.

5. The Resilience of In-Person Retail and Fitness: Despite predictions that online shopping and the pandemic would devastate brick-and-mortar retail and fitness centers, Jeff Roseman is bullish on the future. In-person experiences—whether for workouts, wellness, or shopping—are proving essential, and new, creative concepts continue to drive the city's vibrancy.

Resources:

• Jeff Roseman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydroseman
• Jeff's prior HALO Talks: https://www.halotalks.com/jeff-roseman-vice-chairman-newmark-knight-frank
• Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

In this Fast Break, HALO sector veteran Jay Shoates put forward some powerful ideas on building fitness businesses that serve both professionals and the local community, as well as the importance of always learning and adapting.

Some key takeaways:

• Agility in Business: The HALO sector isn't one-size-fits-all. Jay emphasized the importance of being agile, exploring different roles from facility operations to consulting to ensure full utilization and holistic contribution to the industry.
  
  
• Community Connection: Success isn't defined by facility size, but by the value you provide and your connection to the community. As Jay puts it, "You have to be in some form a servant of your community in order for your community to come service you."
  
  
• Consistency and Lifelong Learning: Whether managing a boutique gym or expanding to a 30,000 square foot facility, consistent service and a commitment to ongoing learning (Jay is still eager for more with the HALO Academy!) remain the foundation for sustainable growth.

If you're in the HALO space, these are words to live by . . . and build by!

Resources:

• Jay Shoates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-shoates-227348108/
• Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
• Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
• HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

Connect With Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehaloadvisors/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integritysquare
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@halotalks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-square/
Website: https://www.halotalks.com