Episode 324: Off-Boarding Without Drama: How to Professionally Handle Resignations in a Small Studio
Tue Feb 03 2026
Your team member just resigned… now what?
In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down exactly how to off-board staff professionally, legally, and without drama—whether someone quits or you need to let them go.
Most studio owners spend a lot of time perfecting their onboarding systems, but almost no one talks about off-boarding until something goes wrong. And when it’s handled poorly, it can damage your culture, client trust, team morale, and reputation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why off-boarding is a leadership responsibility, not just an HR taskThe non-negotiable steps every studio should follow when a staff member resignsWhat to include in a resignation confirmation and separation agreementHow to protect your clients, intellectual property, and business systemsExactly what to say to clients and staff (scripts included)How to manage the emotional side of staff exits without taking it personallyWhy exits can be a powerful opportunity to realign and strengthen your businessThis episode is especially helpful for:
Boutique fitness studio ownersPilates and yoga studio ownersPhysical therapy and wellness practice ownersService-based business owners managing small teamsIf you’ve ever felt blindsided, anxious, or destabilized when a team member leaves—this episode gives you a clear, repeatable off-boarding framework so you’re never scrambling again.
🎯 Next Steps Mentioned in the Episode:
Create a written resignation and off-boarding processAudit access, passwords, and systemsCommunicate clearly to clients and staffDocument everything in your HR or payroll system💬 Want support implementing this?
Join the Fit Biz Community for just $99/month and get coaching, templates, and real-time support from Christa and other studio owners.
👉 https://www.christagurka.com/community
📩 Questions? DM Christa on Instagram—she personally replies. @christagurka.com
Busy isn’t the goal.
Stable, professional, and sustainable is.
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Your team member just resigned… now what? In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down exactly how to off-board staff professionally, legally, and without drama—whether someone quits or you need to let them go. Most studio owners spend a lot of time perfecting their onboarding systems, but almost no one talks about off-boarding until something goes wrong. And when it’s handled poorly, it can damage your culture, client trust, team morale, and reputation. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why off-boarding is a leadership responsibility, not just an HR taskThe non-negotiable steps every studio should follow when a staff member resignsWhat to include in a resignation confirmation and separation agreementHow to protect your clients, intellectual property, and business systemsExactly what to say to clients and staff (scripts included)How to manage the emotional side of staff exits without taking it personallyWhy exits can be a powerful opportunity to realign and strengthen your businessThis episode is especially helpful for: Boutique fitness studio ownersPilates and yoga studio ownersPhysical therapy and wellness practice ownersService-based business owners managing small teamsIf you’ve ever felt blindsided, anxious, or destabilized when a team member leaves—this episode gives you a clear, repeatable off-boarding framework so you’re never scrambling again. 🎯 Next Steps Mentioned in the Episode: Create a written resignation and off-boarding processAudit access, passwords, and systemsCommunicate clearly to clients and staffDocument everything in your HR or payroll system💬 Want support implementing this? Join the Fit Biz Community for just $99/month and get coaching, templates, and real-time support from Christa and other studio owners. 👉 https://www.christagurka.com/community 📩 Questions? DM Christa on Instagram—she personally replies. @christagurka.com Busy isn’t the goal. Stable, professional, and sustainable is.