Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Hay.
Liz, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I worked for lululemon for 8 years in many different roles. After I had my first son I knew that travel was not something that would be sustainable for our family since my husband also traveled and we were like ships passing in the night. I wanted to create a life where I could be there for my children, my husband and contribute to my community. When I started researching barre franchises online I immediately fell in love with barre3. Not only did they seem to offer a kick butt workout but they also stressed the importance of balance in both the body and the mind AND they offered child care! What is better than that? The opportunity for busy mom’s and dad’s to take an hour for themselves while their little’s are being taken care of on site. Since there were no barre3 studio’s in MA at the time I decided that during a business trip to D.C. I would pop into a class and speak with the owner to see her take on the business. I walked through the doors of the Georgetown studio and knew that I had to bring barre3 to MA. I was welcomed with open arms, I never felt intimidated or like I was an outsider. The workout was grounding and empowering. I was given the option to adapt it to what my body needed that day. I came home from my trip and immediately filled out the application and booked my trip to Portland, OR. In October 2014 I opened barre3 Needham as the first barre3 studio in MA.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Since we were the first barre3 studio in MA the hardest part was getting people to understand how we were different from the hundreds of other boutique fitness studios out there. Once people came to my underground classes and then obviously once they walked in our doors they could see and feel what made us so powerful and set us apart. Over the past four years there has of course been bumps along the way but every single day I wake up and am grateful for barre3 Needham and my incredible team that supports me.
Barre3 Needham – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Barre3 is a fitness brand that is based on the power of community, the belief that you are your own best teacher, giving you the permission to be imperfect and make it your own. Barre3 is a full-body mindful workout that delivers remarkable results from the inside out. We guide you through sustained holds, muscle-burning micro movements, and heart-pumping cardio bursts. The barre3 signature approach will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered from within. We use different props throughout class such as a barre3 core ball, weights, bands and the ballet barre. The barre literally and symbolically demonstrates our belief in providing support, it’s there if you need to hold on and remains a constant when you’re ready to let go. At barre3 we are redefining what fitness means. It is not about exploiting our insecurities or comparing ourselves to the person next to us in class. We are paving the way for women and men to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies. We honor the mind body and soul of every single client that walks through our doors and acknowledge the inevitable imbalances in all of our lives. This is what truly sets us apart from everyone else and what makes me proud to be a part of barre3 brand.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Barre3 is so much more than a 60 minute workout. It is a place where my staff and clients come to feel a part of something larger than themselves. I know I am successful when my clients come to class but don’t want to leave after class because they are catching up with their new friend that they met at the studio, or my staff has clocked out for their shift but stay to take a class or just hang out. I define success by the relationships I have with my clients and my staff. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am. Without the most incredible manager, Noa, I would not have the balance I have in my life. Without my team of kick butt instructors, Front desk and Child care staff my clients wouldn’t be able to take that one hour for themselves and without my clients there would be no barre3 Needham. It takes a village.
Pricing:
- New client special 3 classes for $45
- New client special one month unlimited classes $119
- Student Membership $119/month unlimited Teacher Membership $145/month unlimited
Contact Info:
- Address: 996 Great Plain Ave
Needham, MA 02492 - Website: https://barre3.com/studio-locations/needham
- Phone: 781-444-4482
- Email: Needham@barre3.com
- Instagram: instgram.com/barre3needham
- Facebook: facebook.com/barre3needham
- Yelp: yelp.com/barre3needham
Image Credit:
Beth Cuddy Photography
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