Suvechha Sarkar
Everyone dreams of building something of their own, but turning it into a lasting and profitable business isn’t easy. In season 1 of Fox’s ‘The Fixer,’ successful entrepreneur and business investor, Marcus Lemonis, steps in to help businesses that are at a crossroads. He digs into every aspect of these businesses and provides candid advice on choosing a business to invest in. The audience gets a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of his no-nonsense approach as business owners transform their operations into profitable ventures. Episode 1, titled ‘Perspirology,’ kicks off as Marcus meets his first batch of hopeful entrepreneurs and sets the stage for tough decisions.
Marcus Lemonis Visits Two Diverse Businesses Before Setting Eyes on Perspirology
The episode commences with Marcus entering the building to meet the first business, Rustic Marlin. Its owners, Melanie and Brian O’Neil, welcome him. They explain that their business is a Home Decor Lifestyle company that has made $25 million in sales since its foundation in 2012. The business was formed during their marriage, and they have shipped a million-dollar product out of their garage, making everything right here in the country. Upon questioning, Melanie reveals that their revenue last year was $2.5 million, their lowest to date. Brian admits it is hard to scale a business, and they are going around $500,000 down. When Marcus learns that they have much less capital left and have their entire life savings invested, he honestly states he doesn’t see an opportunity. However, he can help them with brands he is involved in.
Marcus provides them a $100,000 advance order in return for cost structure tightening. Right after, he meets the company ANYBAG’s owner, Alexander “Alex” Dabagh, and his partners, Ashley and Alexis. Alex reveals that their products are bags, each using 95 single-use plastic bags, with their factory in Manhattan. Their factory is one of the oldest remaining leather goods factories in New York City. They explain that they are all family, and their father started the business in 1982 after immigrating to the country in the late 70s from Beirut, Lebanon. In their first year after launching in 2021, they earned $40,000 in revenue, followed by $135,000 in the second year, $88,000 for each of the next two years, and $80,000 in 2025 until now. Marcus is impressed by how their machines work and how Alex developed an automatic loom.
However, when Marcus discovers that it can produce 340 bags per day, with their last year’s sale being 2,500 bags, he points out that their current demand is going to drop. Hence, he advises them to focus on their core businesses and says he doesn’t see an opportunity here. Marcus then meets Katy Fraggos and Jason Yachanin, the owners of Perspirology – a dance and trampoline-based studio. While the former is a professional dancer, the latter is a professional athlete, and they have devised music-driven, highly programmed workout routines. They have opened their second branch in Middletown, New Jersey. After trying out the routine himself, Marcus learns that while Katy does the training of the trainers, creating the workouts, and maintaining social media, Jason does the back-end work, like accounting.
Marcus uncovers Strict Financial Discipline Hindering Perspirology’s Growth
When Marcus asks Jason about the retention rate and Jason admits he’s bad at math, Marcus promptly remarks that it’s a terrible excuse. He bluntly states that they must either be good at math or not do business. Soon after, it is revealed that they made $438,000 in revenue over the past year, with $155,000 still in the bank and no loans from creditors or banks. However, the problem is that Katy wants to invest more money to grow the business, but Jason doesn’t want to. Impressed, Marcus informs them that he sees an opportunity in the business and wants to spend some time with them. In his confessional, he reveals that he said yes to them for Jason’s tightness around money, but observes that it can sometimes strangle the growth of the business. He adds that it may be a challenge with Jason.
The focus shifts to Sea Bright, New Jersey, the original location of Perspirology. Marcus arrives there to speak with the owners and determine whether it’s just a concept. As he enters the building, Jason provides him with a tour, first leading him to the laundry room. He proudly adds that they do their own laundry because it is expensive. However, he fails to provide the amount to Marcus, which prompts the latter to be prepared for such questions when he makes a statement with conviction. The last stop of the tour is their Dance Cardio Studio. Jason explains that their goal is to franchise the studio, especially their trampoline studio, and expand to other cities. Upon learning this, Marcus decides to check out the business at their new Middletown, New Jersey location. There, he meets with one of the instructors, Sari, to better understand the concept.
However, Marcus is shocked to find just one person there. A candid conversation with Sari reveals that she feels the concept of the trampoline routine is not good enough to be branded. She also adds that it is the lowest-paying studio in the area, at $40/hour, while the others start at $65/hour. As Marcus takes the discussion outside, Sari opens up that there are studios that copied Perspirology horribly, but are doing well because of their aesthetics. Marcus observes that something needs to change quickly to prevent them from closing. When he returns, Jason divulges that they have been at this location for 10 months, while they have been open at Sea Bright for 10 years. It turns out that they are losing $4,160 every month at the Middletown branch, making the projected annual loss $49,918.
The Owners face Tough Feedback, Making Them Restructure Their Classes
After discovering that Jason and Katy have the Middletown Studio for a 10-year lease at $4,500, Marcus asks the former if they have to pay money if they need to close it. However, Jason emphasizes that they will work something out to ensure they don’t lose money. Marcus bluntly states that something in the place is not clicking. Hence, he wants a focus group to understand their feelings about the trampoline classes. Although Jason is frustrated and nervous to get other people’s opinions, he agrees for the business’ sake. Marcus brings a focus group to see how well the owners handle constructive feedback. After the session, some mention that they find the class interesting, but are out of breath. While one of them admits that they wouldn’t return, the other person remarks that the trampoline feels too intense and awkward.
One of the women mentions that the trampoline is less fun since there are just three moves. However, she adds that she may try a dance class when Marcus mentions it. After their departure, he brings Katy and Jason in and explains that just the trampoline class is insufficient to drive revenue and retain customers. He emphasizes that they need dance and sculpt classes besides it to capture revenue and customers. After that, he joins the owners at the Middletown studio, where Katy admits she feels bad because her clients do so. Marcus asks permission to speak with her alone, which brings up her honest opinions that Jason doesn’t listen to her. She also feels that they need to spend more money on marketing. Marcus suggests that they should try to attract repeat customers using a combination of Trampoline, Dance, and Sculpt.
Marcus elaborates that at a time, they can combine two of the three techniques to make it more fun. This idea leaves Katy feeling hopeful, considering the prospect it has. As Jason enters the room, Marcus informs him that to build a franchise, he needs to implement the idea that Marcus and Katy just discussed. He then tells Jason that they are going to open a QuickBooks account, which is going to help him record every expense and revenue separately for each location. Marcus adds that it is essential to open a franchise. In his confessional, he reveals that to invest, he needs development in the people of the business, especially Jason. He pulls him aside and asks what he brings to the table for the business. When Jason mentions payroll, laundry, and cleaning, Marcus calls him out, pointing out that he is marginalizing his own value.
With Marcus’ Mentorship, the Owners Revamp Their Pay Structure
Marcus urges Jason to do something that is going to bring a good reputation and ensure the development of the business. When the latter mentions that he doesn’t have any education in business development, Marcus quickly adds that he does have 10 years of real-life experience. The focus shifts to Manhattan, New York, where Marcus will meet Katy, Jason, and the trainers in a different studio. He aims to walk them through the new changes and resolve some issues. After his arrival, he quickly explains the latest developments with the trainers and shifts the conversation to their pay. Marcus learns they are getting paid as per the class, no matter how many people are there. Hence, they are not motivated to bring more people to the class.
When Sari reveals that the clients become uncomfortable with Katy as a trainer because they cannot stray from their routine. When the owner loses her cool after hearing it, Marcus states that both the trainers and the owners need to make money. Hence, he suggests changing the compensation plan to a semi-fixed plan, where they get a basic rate for coming, followed by an incremental rate for bringing people or teaching them. After resolving this issue, he welcomes Amanda Kloots, a fitness influencer and celebrity host with many more accomplishments. Amanda explains to them that she has a studio and has taught herself. She admits that maintaining both these roles can be hard. So, she urges Katy to take a step back and reassures her that she can do it. The latter notes that she must work on letting go of the reins.
However, Katy is ready for the challenge and hopes it will give her more time to build better things. As the owners have now understood the issues, Marcus next takes them to JLL, a design firm he uses for all his businesses. When Jason and Katy arrive, he elaborates that the firm helps reimagine everything about the business. The professionals introduce them to a reformed logo with mention of bounce, dance, and sculpt, indicating their brand identity. Furthermore, the owners are impressed when presented with a welcoming studio rather than their compact and professional one. When Jason jokingly mentions that he presumed he would hate it before coming here, Marcus quickly rectifies that he should never keep negative expectations as a business owner. He adds that Jason has to take chances if he is in business.
From Negotiation to a Full Studio Revamp, Jason and Katy Evolve as Business Owners
Jason quickly clarifies that he agrees with what the professionals have to say, and his reaction results from his nervousness. In their confessional, Katy expresses excitement about the new concept. Jason chimes in that it is intimidating since they are completely changing something they have been building for around 11 years. He is just nervous that it may get bigger than they can handle. Following this, Marcus meets the owners at Queens, New York, to see if there is a deal. Katy informs him that she has taken herself off the prime spots and given them to the trainers, noting that it is going well. They venture into the topic of the revamp cost in the Middletown studio, which is $75,000, putting aside $93,000 for the franchise. Katy proposes that Marcus become a partner in exchange for $75,000 for 49% equity.
However, Jason quickly adds that he wants to round up the amount to $80,000 for the same equity. He wants Marcus to invest the amount in the Middletown renovation project. However, the latter states that he is going to give $50,000 for 25% equity. Marcus explains that although their deal is better on paper, he doesn’t want to do it. This is because he wants Jason to invest since it pains him to do so. While Katy is hopeful regarding the deal, Jason remarks that he is taking a risk, as Marcus wanted, by writing a $25,000 cheque for the revamp. As the rebranding is ongoing in full mode, Marcus has sent Jason to meet Patrick, a Marketing professional from Salesforce. It is his attempt to help the owner develop as a business entrepreneur.
Equipped with new advice from Patrick, Jason feels that Marcus is going to be impressed. He also feels that the new goals set ahead of him are attainable. The focus shifts to Middletown as Marcus arrives at the revamped studio. He and Jason take a tour, checking out the improved color palette, aesthetics, and even enhanced merchandise. When Marcus learns that the owner now has a receptionist and a person separately to do the laundry, the former becomes quite proud. Upon Katy’s arrival, she reveals that the confidence of the instructors has also increased tremendously. Marcus feels that since both of them have transformed themselves and their business, they have a bright future with profits ahead.
Perspirology is Thriving With New Branding and Expanded Class Options
After transforming their Middletown studio, Jason and Katy have clearly embraced the changes they worked hard to implement. The business now carries a fresh and modern feel with its revamped website proudly displaying its updated logo. The website showcases clear information about their exercise methods – bounce, dance, and sculpt. Customers can now easily book sessions online, choosing from either the Middletown or Sea Bright studio locations. To make things even more inviting, they offer new clients their first class for just $5. The structure of their classes is now more streamlined: bounce classes running between 20 and 60 minutes, dance classes between 15 and 16 minutes, and sculpt sessions as short as 10 minutes up to 60 minutes.
Along with those services, Perspirology has even started selling its own branded trampolines. Those are available at $454, helping enthusiasts bring fitness home. For any questions or bookings, the clients can easily use their user-friendly website. The business is not just relying on in-person sessions because the owners have stepped up their social media presence. They provide not only group classes and private training sessions but also home streaming options. According to their update in July 2025, the upgrades have not stopped, and the studios have continued to evolve. Jason himself has continued wearing many hats as the co-owner, Front-desk Assistant, Tech Support, Instructor, and many more.
Unlike before, Jason and Katy now make it a point to regularly show appreciation for their team, creating a positive environment all around the studio. From what we can tell, the Middletown location studio is experiencing real growth. It is likely a sign that the changes they have brought to their business are truly paying off. In May 2025, the owners even promoted a free class. Their hard work seems to resonate with the community because Perspirology currently holds a 4.8-star rating on Google. Many of the written reviews not only praise the quality of their workout routines, but also the kindness and dedication of all the staff.
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