Owner Stories
STUDIO OWNER STORIES: STACIE THOMAS, BARRE3 GRAND RAPIDS – HERITAGE HILL
Stacie Thomas’ journey began in 2014 when she stepped into The Barre Code Lakeview in Chicago as a client. Instantly captivated by the practice, she decided to take a chance and audition to become an instructor. She turned her passion for barre into a reality in 2018 when she opened The Barre Code in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fast forward to 2023, Stacie converted her studio to barre3 Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill after The Barre Code was acquired by barre3. Throughout her time as a studio owner, she has stayed committed to creating a warm and supportive space where members can connect with their bodies and find balance in their lives. One of Stacie’s greatest passions is using movement to support and uplift her community, and she strives to make the transformative power of fitness accessible to everyone. Read on to learn about Stacie’s experience becoming barre3.
B3: What has been the most exciting part of your transition to becoming barre3?
STACIE: The most exciting thing is that barre3 is such a thoughtful brand. Joining an established network, the empowering leadership that barre3 has, and the endless training resources that are not just available to me, but our entire team—all of these have been game-changers. It makes a huge difference in seamlessly running your business from behind the scenes to getting in front of your client.
B3: What part of this transition has personally made the biggest impact on you?
STACIE: The support from our team and clients during the change speaks volumes about our community. Through a period of constant change, our community kept me grounded. I think I always knew this to be true, but I found that the name on our door didn’t matter— the heart and spirit of our community shines through no matter what, and that was highlighted in such a big way through the conversion. Now, we’re settling into this new normal and it’s like it has always been this way—that we’ve always been barre3. It’s been so beautiful to see the way our team and clients have embraced barre3.
B3: How have clients responded to the barre3 class types?
STACIE: This was the biggest notable change of the conversion, and a crucial part of its success. It started with our team embracing the barre3 core value of “love of learning” and diving into training with an open mind and a commitment to their success. Our clients were very patient with us and themselves. Once they were in the studio, magic happened and clients were surprised to learn they connected to barre3 more than they anticipated. They were excited to grow alongside us. It was such a unique position to be in where our instructors were learning something new at the same time as our clients.
B3: As someone who had never heard of barre3 before this transition, what about the barre3 brand have you loved most so far?
STACIE: I love the way that barre3 doesn’t just promote self-acceptance in classes— it’s a common thread through every part of the company.
From an owner’s perspective, I really feel supported. The barre3 team gave us a space to feel heard, listened to our needs, and followed up with action. That built so much trust and made it such a beautiful partnership. I felt like I had a voice in the change.
B3: You recently signed a new franchise agreement to open a barre3 studio in Wyoming, Michigan. Tell us about your thought process behind your decision to open a second location—was it always your plan to own multiple studios?
STACIE: Definitely. Being a multi-unit owner has always been on my entrepreneurial vision board. I knew I wanted to do that from the moment I opened our first studio. Our Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill studio is so vibrant. I’m excited to expand our community to the suburbs of Grand Rapids.
After converting Heritage Hill and working with the barre3 team, it was an easy decision to continue forward on that path to invest in the brand. It’s helpful that I have a seasoned team and they work seamlessly together. I’m not required to be there for our daily operations, which is a good indicator that I can start to step away and focus on growing. I also reflect on the fact that I am an owner who has survived a global pandemic and a rebrand. I’m stepping into this next phase with confidence.
B3: What would you say to current owners interested in expanding and opening additional studio locations?
STACIE: A personal mantra of mine is, “I’ve already done it once and I can do it again.” I’m coming at it the second time with more knowledge and experience. The groundwork has been laid. Now, I get to focus on reinvesting in my community and capitalizing on the work I’ve already put out.
B3: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to convert their barre studio to barre3?
STACIE: You know your community better than anyone else. It’s important to advocate for your clients and their needs. Change is hard, but that isn’t new for us in group fitness. I think about it similarly to what we ask of our clients: to challenge themselves and to grow. Trust the process and trust yourself. You can do hard things with the support of barre3.
Thank you, Stacie! Sign up for a class at barre3 Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Do you own a barre studio and are interested in joining the growing community of barre3 owners? Learn more about converting a studio here.
Stacie Thomas’ journey began in 2014 when she stepped into The Barre Code Lakeview in Chicago as a client. Instantly captivated by the practice, she decided to take a chance and audition to become an instructor. She turned her passion for barre into a reality in 2018 when she opened The Barre Code in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fast forward to 2023, Stacie converted her studio to barre3 Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill after The Barre Code was acquired by barre3. Throughout her time as a studio owner, she has stayed committed to creating a warm and supportive space where members can connect with their bodies and find balance in their lives. One of Stacie’s greatest passions is using movement to support and uplift her community, and she strives to make the transformative power of fitness accessible to everyone. Read on to learn about Stacie’s experience becoming barre3.
B3: What has been the most exciting part of your transition to becoming barre3?
STACIE: The most exciting thing is that barre3 is such a thoughtful brand. Joining an established network, the empowering leadership that barre3 has, and the endless training resources that are not just available to me, but our entire team—all of these have been game-changers. It makes a huge difference in seamlessly running your business from behind the scenes to getting in front of your client.
B3: What part of this transition has personally made the biggest impact on you?
STACIE: The support from our team and clients during the change speaks volumes about our community. Through a period of constant change, our community kept me grounded. I think I always knew this to be true, but I found that the name on our door didn’t matter— the heart and spirit of our community shines through no matter what, and that was highlighted in such a big way through the conversion. Now, we’re settling into this new normal and it’s like it has always been this way—that we’ve always been barre3. It’s been so beautiful to see the way our team and clients have embraced barre3.
B3: How have clients responded to the barre3 class types?
STACIE: This was the biggest notable change of the conversion, and a crucial part of its success. It started with our team embracing the barre3 core value of “love of learning” and diving into training with an open mind and a commitment to their success. Our clients were very patient with us and themselves. Once they were in the studio, magic happened and clients were surprised to learn they connected to barre3 more than they anticipated. They were excited to grow alongside us. It was such a unique position to be in where our instructors were learning something new at the same time as our clients.
B3: As someone who had never heard of barre3 before this transition, what about the barre3 brand have you loved most so far?
STACIE: I love the way that barre3 doesn’t just promote self-acceptance in classes— it’s a common thread through every part of the company.
From an owner’s perspective, I really feel supported. The barre3 team gave us a space to feel heard, listened to our needs, and followed up with action. That built so much trust and made it such a beautiful partnership. I felt like I had a voice in the change.
B3: You recently signed a new franchise agreement to open a barre3 studio in Wyoming, Michigan. Tell us about your thought process behind your decision to open a second location—was it always your plan to own multiple studios?
STACIE: Definitely. Being a multi-unit owner has always been on my entrepreneurial vision board. I knew I wanted to do that from the moment I opened our first studio. Our Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill studio is so vibrant. I’m excited to expand our community to the suburbs of Grand Rapids.
After converting Heritage Hill and working with the barre3 team, it was an easy decision to continue forward on that path to invest in the brand. It’s helpful that I have a seasoned team and they work seamlessly together. I’m not required to be there for our daily operations, which is a good indicator that I can start to step away and focus on growing. I also reflect on the fact that I am an owner who has survived a global pandemic and a rebrand. I’m stepping into this next phase with confidence.
B3: What would you say to current owners interested in expanding and opening additional studio locations?
STACIE: A personal mantra of mine is, “I’ve already done it once and I can do it again.” I’m coming at it the second time with more knowledge and experience. The groundwork has been laid. Now, I get to focus on reinvesting in my community and capitalizing on the work I’ve already put out.
B3: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to convert their barre studio to barre3?
STACIE: You know your community better than anyone else. It’s important to advocate for your clients and their needs. Change is hard, but that isn’t new for us in group fitness. I think about it similarly to what we ask of our clients: to challenge themselves and to grow. Trust the process and trust yourself. You can do hard things with the support of barre3.
Thank you, Stacie! Sign up for a class at barre3 Grand Rapids – Heritage Hill and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Do you own a barre studio and are interested in joining the growing community of barre3 owners? Learn more about converting a studio here.
