In the health and wellness landscape, managing the balance between passion for the practice and business acumen can be as challenging as mastering a complex yoga pose. That’s the genesis of OfferingTree’s solution – making the business of health and wellness simpler and easier to manage.
With a focus on serving health, wellness, and fitness businesses, OfferingTree aims to streamline operations, from customer attraction to retention, with an all-in-one software platform.
Eddie Arpin, co-founder and president of OfferingTree, shared insights into the origins of Offering Tree, shedding light on the challenges faced by individual and small practitioners striving to navigate the complexities of technology while staying true to their passion.
“We started by serving individual practitioners, the solopreneurs who are driven by their passion for yoga, fitness, or holistic wellness,” Eddie explained. “These individuals aren’t just in it for the money; they want to share their love for their specialty with the world – whether that’s Yoga, Pilates, Spin, Barre, or HIIT. What we saw was that the technical aspects of running these businesses often became overwhelming and detracted from their core mission.”
A business idea born in a yoga studio.
OfferingTree’s inception was born from the experiences of one of its original founders, Alex Haley, who managed a local yoga studio called Yoga Sol. Alex was frustrated with the difficulties of integrating and using multiple solutions to manage his business and connected with his friend Eddie Arpin, who was then a software engineer at Sports Ngin. Understanding firsthand the complexities and limitations of existing software solutions for boutique fitness operators, the seeds of OfferingTree were sown in 2016, with Eddie working nights and weekends early on.
Recognizing this gap in the market, the co-founders embarked on a journey to create a solution that would empower health and wellness entrepreneurs to better manage their business without being bogged down by integrations and technical complexities. Eddie and his active co-founders, Arvind Menon and Alec Gorjestani, built OfferingTree to be a user-friendly, all-in-one platform that combines website building, scheduling and booking tools, client relationship management, and marketing resources tailored specifically for the unique needs of health and wellness businesses.
What sets OfferingTree apart is its vertical integration and specialization within the health and wellness industry. Unlike generic website builders or scheduling platforms, OfferingTree offers templates and features designed specifically for these studios. This vertical alignment ensures that businesses can easily navigate the platform, finding tools and resources designed specifically for their unique offerings and clientele.
Mentoring that empowers entrepreneurial growth.
As Eddie navigated the early stages of OfferingTree’s business journey, he found he was craving the wisdom and perspective of those who had walked the path before him. Entering the mentoring program with MESA in July 2020, OfferingTree was in a pivotal phase of its growth trajectory. The business was pre-funding but boasted a small but dedicated customer base. With aspirations of securing funding and refining their pitch deck, OfferingTree looked to MESA for guidance on navigating the intricacies of fundraising and strategic planning.
“We were first-time founders, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship without the other advisors in place,” Eddie commented. “Seeking outside perspective and guidance felt like a natural step for us. As a team, we pride ourselves on being coachable. Our entire goal was to make well-informed decisions that would propel OfferingTree forward, prioritizing the success of our business over personal ego.”
The value of MESA mentorship extended beyond the business advice provided; it offered a lifeline of support and camaraderie in an often isolating entrepreneurial journey.
“Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place,” Eddie acknowledged. “Engaging with mentors through MESA provided us with a sense of community and continuity, knowing that we weren’t alone in our challenges and triumphs.”
MESA mentor Jeff Eckerle shared, “It’s been a pleasure working with Eddie, seeing him contemplate and implement potential actions we discuss. It’s gratifying to look back and compare the stronger position of the business today to four years ago and know that MESA has been a part of it.”
Building a better future for boutique health and wellness businesses.
Looking to the future, OfferingTree is focused on continued growth and expansion within the health and wellness market. With customers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, they know there are more opportunities to get their solution into more customers’ hands.
And while the focus remains on enhancing the software’s capabilities, the company also places a strong emphasis on community building and support beyond technology. Initiatives such as online communities, coaching calls, and mastermind groups are in place to foster connection and collaboration among OfferingTree customers, providing a holistic support system for business owners navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
OfferingTree’s partnerships with industry consultants, thought leaders and governing bodies help them further enrich the ecosystem, providing valuable insights and resources to empower businesses on their journey to success. As OfferingTree continues to evolve and innovate, its commitment to serving the health and wellness market remains unwavering, driven by the desire to empower entrepreneurs and foster a thriving community of wellness.
