What does it really look like to follow a bigger calling and build a fitness brand with faith at the center? In this episode of the FitBiz Accelerator Podcast, host Tobias Young sits down with Erica Carter — owner, founder, franchisor, and certified Pilates instructor behind Prayers & Pilates, a faith-based reformer Pilates and infrared sauna studio. After 15 years in real estate (rising to VP of Sales for a major DFW home builder), Erica felt called by God to step away and build something deeper. That calling became Prayers & Pilates — and today the brand is preparing to open its third location, with its first franchise studio launching this summer. In this conversation we dig into: How Erica turned a personal home-studio gratitude wall into a growing faith-based franchiseWhy she leads boldly with faith — and how she keeps the studio welcoming for everyoneShifting members from "I have to work out" to "I get to" through gratitude and movementHow faith reshapes the way members view their bodies, confidence, and healthBuilding genuine community (and why community came BEFORE the franchise)The real growing pains of scaling from one location to threeHiring slow, firing quick, and protecting culture as you growWhy she built SOPs, manuals, and "copy-and-paste" systems before franchisingOvercoming fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome as a purpose-driven founderWhat actually makes a fitness brand memorable — experience over service Whether you're a fitness coach, studio owner, gym owner, or online personal trainer looking to launch, grow, and scale a business that creates real impact, income, and freedom — this episode is packed with practical business lessons and faith-driven inspiration. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro & meet Erica Carter 01:55 – From 15 years in real estate to feeling the calling 05:00 – Stepping away from a successful career to follow God 09:25 – What real estate taught her about building a brand 11:07 – The origin story of Prayers & Pilates (the gratitude wall) 12:41 – What makes the studio experience different 13:56 – From "I have to" to "I get to": movement as gratitude 15:05 – How faith changes the way members view their bodies 17:38 – A member transformation story that says it all 19:29 – Why community is the brand's real leverage 20:30 – Scaling to multiple locations & the path to franchising 22:32 – The growing pains nobody sees behind the scenes 24:17 – The hardest part of expanding the business 25:39 – Advice for the overwhelmed studio owner 26:41 – Knowing when to stop doing everything yourself 27:57 – Why franchising became the next step 28:50 – What you must build behind the scenes to franchise 30:02 – Mindset, fear, doubt & staying grounded 31:25 – What makes a fitness brand truly memorable 32:39 – Creating an experience, not just selling a service 34:29 – Rapid fire round with Erica 39:10 – One final message for listeners 39:17 – Where to connect with Prayers & Pilates 📲 CONNECT WITH ERICA CARTER & PRAYERS + PILATES Don't forget to follow Erica and keep up with the growth of the Prayers & Pilates brand: 🌐 Website: https://www.PrayersandPilates.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prayerspilates/ 👍 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/prayerspilates 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-carter-07b3a739/ 🎧 ABOUT THE FITBIZ ACCELERATOR PODCAST The FitBiz Accelerator Podcast helps fitness coaches, studio owners, and online trainers launch, grow, and scale a business that creates impact, income, and freedom. New episodes packed with real strategies, founder stories, and actionable business advice. 🔔 If this episode helped you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode! #FitBizAccelerator #PrayersAndPilates #FaithAndFitness #FitnessBusiness #PilatesStudio #FaithBasedBusiness #FitnessEntrepreneur #StudioOwner #FranchiseGrowth #PurposeDrivenBusiness
