Owner Stories
STUDIO OWNER STORIES: KRISTI CRUTHIRDS, BARRE3 SAN ANTONIO – STONE OAK
Kristi Cruthirds is a native Texan who first found barre3 eight years ago when living in Austin, Texas. Her family moved to Chapel Hill, NC where she found a newly opened barre3 studio and immediately jumped in as a client. Kristi loved everything about barre3 and the community it provided, so she became a certified instructor and mentor and taught for four years before moving to San Antonio, Texas in June 2022. With a background in mental health therapy and as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, health and wellness is a true passion of Kristi’s. She fully embraces the barre3 approach to changing how we view fitness, leading others to feel balanced in body and empowered from within. Kristi is thrilled at the opportunity to open the first studio in San Antonio alongside her husband, Ryan, and her three amazing kids.
B3: How did you find barre3?
Kristi: I found barre3 about nine years ago when we lived in Austin, Texas. I had just had my third baby and was looking for options to help build my core strength. My college roommate said that I would love barre3, so I signed up for class and was hooked. It was also comforting to be able to take my youngest daughter to the studio and know that she was taken care of at the play lounge. We then moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where a new studio had just opened. I jumped right in as a member and, soon after, became an instructor and eventually a mentor.
B3: What made you decide to open a barre3 studio?
Kristi: It’s been quite a journey. We were very excited about our move [to San Antonio], but I was shocked to find that there was no barre3 studio there. I started to think, what if you opened a studio? I kept pushing it off, but the feeling just got stronger. I took the first step of reaching out [to the barre3 Franchise Expansion team] to see if San Antonio was an option in March of 2023. At each step of the way, another door opened and the opportunities kept growing.
B3: Can you share more about the owner discovery process prior to signing your Franchise Agreement?
Kristi: When I submitted the initial online inquiry form, I just wanted to get more information about being an owner. Then, [Franchise Sales Manager] Rachel Intile and I worked together to narrow down the best location for a studio in San Antonio. I also met with [Director of Franchise Operations] Stephanie Rubenstein and [VP of Franchise Studios] Harper Kalin during different stages of the process. Finally, I had my business interview with [barre3 Co-Founders and Co-CEOs) Sadie and Chris Lincoln. It was exciting to chat with them about the possibilities! During this time, I was also looking into different SBA loan options and financing possibilities so that we were pre-approved. We then signed our Franchise Agreement at the end of July 2023.
B3: Tell us about the process of building your studio.
Kristi: This has been one of the most fun parts of the process! It has been great working with [barre3’s preferred construction project manager] CDS–they’re handling all the construction management. One of the things I love about working with barre3 is that everything has been researched. They don’t throw [new owners] out there [and say], “Go figure that out and let us know how it goes.” I’ve enjoyed getting to make the studio my own, but I also love knowing that whoever walks into my studio will get the same look and feel they’d find at all barre3 studios.
B3: What has been the most gratifying thing about becoming a studio owner?
Kristi: It’s hard to choose just one! I’ve primarily been a stay-at-home mom since my oldest was born, and she’s now 15. So, it’s been really exciting to do this with my family and get to show them a model of a healthy woman, working in a positive environment that helps others. It’s also been exciting to share this with so many new people in my community that have never heard of barre3. It’s gratifying to see them experience the class, love it, and want to come back.
B3: Anything else to share?
Kristi: This has been the best experience that I could ask for. I am grateful to barre3 for the hard work they do to make this process as easy as possible for new owners. Getting to be a part of the barre3 studio owner group has also been amazing. There are so many wonderful barre3 owners out there with so much knowledge–and they are gracious to share their experience. Even though I am starting my own business, I’ve never once felt alone.
Thank you, Kristi! Sign up for a class at barre3 San Antonio – Stone Oak and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Learn more about owning a barre3 studio in your community.
Kristi Cruthirds is a native Texan who first found barre3 eight years ago when living in Austin, Texas. Her family moved to Chapel Hill, NC where she found a newly opened barre3 studio and immediately jumped in as a client. Kristi loved everything about barre3 and the community it provided, so she became a certified instructor and mentor and taught for four years before moving to San Antonio, Texas in June 2022. With a background in mental health therapy and as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, health and wellness is a true passion of Kristi’s. She fully embraces the barre3 approach to changing how we view fitness, leading others to feel balanced in body and empowered from within. Kristi is thrilled at the opportunity to open the first studio in San Antonio alongside her husband, Ryan, and her three amazing kids.
B3: How did you find barre3?
Kristi: I found barre3 about nine years ago when we lived in Austin, Texas. I had just had my third baby and was looking for options to help build my core strength. My college roommate said that I would love barre3, so I signed up for class and was hooked. It was also comforting to be able to take my youngest daughter to the studio and know that she was taken care of at the play lounge. We then moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where a new studio had just opened. I jumped right in as a member and, soon after, became an instructor and eventually a mentor.
B3: What made you decide to open a barre3 studio?
Kristi: It’s been quite a journey. We were very excited about our move [to San Antonio], but I was shocked to find that there was no barre3 studio there. I started to think, what if you opened a studio? I kept pushing it off, but the feeling just got stronger. I took the first step of reaching out [to the barre3 Franchise Expansion team] to see if San Antonio was an option in March of 2023. At each step of the way, another door opened and the opportunities kept growing.
B3: Can you share more about the owner discovery process prior to signing your Franchise Agreement?
Kristi: When I submitted the initial online inquiry form, I just wanted to get more information about being an owner. Then, [Franchise Sales Manager] Rachel Intile and I worked together to narrow down the best location for a studio in San Antonio. I also met with [Director of Franchise Operations] Stephanie Rubenstein and [VP of Franchise Studios] Harper Kalin during different stages of the process. Finally, I had my business interview with [barre3 Co-Founders and Co-CEOs) Sadie and Chris Lincoln. It was exciting to chat with them about the possibilities! During this time, I was also looking into different SBA loan options and financing possibilities so that we were pre-approved. We then signed our Franchise Agreement at the end of July 2023.
B3: Tell us about the process of building your studio.
Kristi: This has been one of the most fun parts of the process! It has been great working with [barre3’s preferred construction project manager] CDS–they’re handling all the construction management. One of the things I love about working with barre3 is that everything has been researched. They don’t throw [new owners] out there [and say], “Go figure that out and let us know how it goes.” I’ve enjoyed getting to make the studio my own, but I also love knowing that whoever walks into my studio will get the same look and feel they’d find at all barre3 studios.
B3: What has been the most gratifying thing about becoming a studio owner?
Kristi: It’s hard to choose just one! I’ve primarily been a stay-at-home mom since my oldest was born, and she’s now 15. So, it’s been really exciting to do this with my family and get to show them a model of a healthy woman, working in a positive environment that helps others. It’s also been exciting to share this with so many new people in my community that have never heard of barre3. It’s gratifying to see them experience the class, love it, and want to come back.
B3: Anything else to share?
Kristi: This has been the best experience that I could ask for. I am grateful to barre3 for the hard work they do to make this process as easy as possible for new owners. Getting to be a part of the barre3 studio owner group has also been amazing. There are so many wonderful barre3 owners out there with so much knowledge–and they are gracious to share their experience. Even though I am starting my own business, I’ve never once felt alone.
Thank you, Kristi! Sign up for a class at barre3 San Antonio – Stone Oak and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Learn more about owning a barre3 studio in your community.
