Owner Stories
STUDIO OWNER STORIES: ABBY SMAYDA, SOUTH BAY, LOS ANGELES, CA
The b3 Blog sat down with Abby Smayda, one of barre3’s newest franchisees, to talk about her journey to studio ownership. In August of 2024, Abby signed a Franchise Agreement (FA) for a new studio in South Bay, Los Angeles, CA. She is now in the middle of the new studio development process on the road to her studio’s Grand Opening. In the interview, Abby reflects on her path to becoming a barre3 franchisee, as well as how the studio development process is going.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Abby–and congratulations on your recent Franchise Agreement signing! To start, can you tell us about your first experience with barre3?
ABBY: From my first barre3 class at barre3 Buckhead [in Atlanta, GA] in 2017, I could immediately sense it was unlike any other barre class. The environment was so inclusive and warm, and it was the first barre class I took that didn’t focus on weight loss–so many different body types were represented in the room. Barre3 made me feel the best I’ve felt in my life. The customer service was also very elevated. After that first class, the owner sent me a personal thank you note!
B3: It’s clear you resonated with barre3 from the start. Can you share more about how you eventually decided to explore studio ownership?
ABBY: Opening a studio was in the back of my mind for a while. I wanted to be a leader in my community and pay forward what barre3 had given to me. Barre3 got me through two pregnancies and changed how I looked at my body. It really shifted everything for me! When it came down to it, whenever I asked myself “what would you do if you could do anything?”–opening my own studio was the answer. I would pull up the initial inquiry form on the website and keep it up for days at a time, until I finally clicked “submit” last summer.
B3: When did you have your initial call with the Franchise Expansion team, and what do you remember about that call?
ABBY: I had my first call with Rachel Intile [Franchise Sales Manager] in August 2023–one year before I signed my Franchise Agreement. From that first call, I could tell I would be supported throughout the entire process. Rachel was so kind and warm. She shared the basics of franchising with barre3 and asked me questions about my goals and market. What I remember most is Rachel explaining that entering into a Franchise Agreement is a true partnership–and it has to make sense for both parties. I felt like this was a safe space to explore, and I didn’t feel pressured. Instead, I left the call feeling excited and wanting to know more.
B3: What happened after that initial conversation with barre3?
ABBY: The next step was submitting my franchise application, doing my own research and reviewing the barre3 Franchise Disclosure Document [FDD] to get to know the nitty gritty of business. I also had a Search Area call with Rachel to review the market in depth. I then met the Training Team and the New Studio Development Team to hear how they would support me through each phase of development. I never felt rushed throughout the process, and I could see that everyone was passionate about the brand. I’d leave each meeting thinking, “I can’t wait for the next step!”
B3: Can you share more about what your Discovery Day was like?
ABBY: I really appreciated the offer to do my Discovery Day virtually. Barre3 was very willing to work with my schedule and needs. Rachel encouraged me to come prepared with personal questions for barre3, to make sure I felt good about this partnership. I was also grateful to have time with (co-founders) Sadie and Chris Lincoln. They were very generous with their time and answered my questions so thoughtfully. It felt very grounding.
B3: What was one of your biggest questions throughout the owner discovery process?
ABBY: I asked what franchisee support would look like as the company scales and grows. I wanted to ensure this support would remain strong in the future. Barre3 emphasized that franchisee support is and will continue to be a top priority. I also saw the strength of the franchise network myself during the owner discovery process. I spoke with so many incredible, smart women studio owners from all from different backgrounds and careers. There’s such power in women supporting women!
B3: After you passed your Business Interview and signed your Franchise Agreement, what happened next?
ABBY: After signing the FA, the transition to the next phase went very smoothly. Harper Kalin [VP of Studio Operations] introduced me to Jordan Ware [Manager of New Studio Development]. Jordan connected me to barre3’s real estate partner FranSite, who then connected me to a local broker. FranSite and the local broker are partners–FranSite knows all the barre3 specs, and my local broker is “boots on ground,” helping me see spaces. Because of this partnership, I know I’m not selecting my site blindly. FranSite and the barre3 team understand what works and doesn’t work for a studio.
B3: Though you’re currently in the site selection phase of new studio development, let’s look ahead to when your studio opens. What’s your biggest hope for your studio?
ABBY: I want to open this studio and give people in my community a chance to experience something that has been so life changing for me. I want to pour love into the neighborhood where I’m raising my kids, and make the studio a safe haven for people. I’d like to build a space that can be an inspiration to my kids. In keeping with barre3’s mission and core values, I want to shift the narrative around what it means to have a healthy relationship with exercise and with your body, and pass that on to the next generation.
B3: What would you share with someone who is just beginning to consider whether barre3 studio ownership is right for them?
ABBY: It’s okay if you’re a little scared! In general, I think we sometimes tend to want to gather all the information, know all the answers, and be as knowledgeable as possible before taking action. Know that you don’t have to have all the answers right away–there is a team at barre3 who will teach you as you go. You just have to be brave enough to start. Crack open that door and see what happens!
FRANCHISEE BIO
Abby’s journey with barre3 began in Atlanta, GA in 2017. She and her husband Mike had just moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta for Mike’s job. Abby was looking for group fitness classes as a way to establish routine and meet new people. She was hooked after her first barre3 class! She became a member and eventually was certified as an instructor in 2019. Since then she has worked for multiple barre3 studios as an instructor and leadership team member. Abby spent over a decade as a nonprofit fundraiser and event planner. During that time she served a number of organizations including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Sundance Institute, and Habitat for Humanity International. She is excited to bring her community building skills to barre3 studio ownership. Abby and Mike recently moved back to Los Angeles with their two children. Abby currently teaches classes at barre3 Studio City.
Thank you, Abby! The b3 Blog will catch up with Abby next year once she has secured a studio space and is closer to her Grand Opening. In the meantime, follow Abby on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
Learn more about opening a new barre3 studio in your community, or purchasing/converting a studio, by completing our Franchise Sales Interest Form. Once you submit your information, the Franchise Expansion team will connect with you.
The b3 Blog sat down with Abby Smayda, one of barre3’s newest franchisees, to talk about her journey to studio ownership. In August of 2024, Abby signed a Franchise Agreement (FA) for a new studio in South Bay, Los Angeles, CA. She is now in the middle of the new studio development process on the road to her studio’s Grand Opening. In the interview, Abby reflects on her path to becoming a barre3 franchisee, as well as how the studio development process is going.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Abby–and congratulations on your recent Franchise Agreement signing! To start, can you tell us about your first experience with barre3?
ABBY: From my first barre3 class at barre3 Buckhead [in Atlanta, GA] in 2017, I could immediately sense it was unlike any other barre class. The environment was so inclusive and warm, and it was the first barre class I took that didn’t focus on weight loss–so many different body types were represented in the room. Barre3 made me feel the best I’ve felt in my life. The customer service was also very elevated. After that first class, the owner sent me a personal thank you note!
B3: It’s clear you resonated with barre3 from the start. Can you share more about how you eventually decided to explore studio ownership?
ABBY: Opening a studio was in the back of my mind for a while. I wanted to be a leader in my community and pay forward what barre3 had given to me. Barre3 got me through two pregnancies and changed how I looked at my body. It really shifted everything for me! When it came down to it, whenever I asked myself “what would you do if you could do anything?”–opening my own studio was the answer. I would pull up the initial inquiry form on the website and keep it up for days at a time, until I finally clicked “submit” last summer.
B3: When did you have your initial call with the Franchise Expansion team, and what do you remember about that call?
ABBY: I had my first call with Rachel Intile [Franchise Sales Manager] in August 2023–one year before I signed my Franchise Agreement. From that first call, I could tell I would be supported throughout the entire process. Rachel was so kind and warm. She shared the basics of franchising with barre3 and asked me questions about my goals and market. What I remember most is Rachel explaining that entering into a Franchise Agreement is a true partnership–and it has to make sense for both parties. I felt like this was a safe space to explore, and I didn’t feel pressured. Instead, I left the call feeling excited and wanting to know more.
B3: What happened after that initial conversation with barre3?
ABBY: The next step was submitting my franchise application, doing my own research and reviewing the barre3 Franchise Disclosure Document [FDD] to get to know the nitty gritty of business. I also had a Search Area call with Rachel to review the market in depth. I then met the Training Team and the New Studio Development Team to hear how they would support me through each phase of development. I never felt rushed throughout the process, and I could see that everyone was passionate about the brand. I’d leave each meeting thinking, “I can’t wait for the next step!”
B3: Can you share more about what your Discovery Day was like?
ABBY: I really appreciated the offer to do my Discovery Day virtually. Barre3 was very willing to work with my schedule and needs. Rachel encouraged me to come prepared with personal questions for barre3, to make sure I felt good about this partnership. I was also grateful to have time with (co-founders) Sadie and Chris Lincoln. They were very generous with their time and answered my questions so thoughtfully. It felt very grounding.
B3: What was one of your biggest questions throughout the owner discovery process?
ABBY: I asked what franchisee support would look like as the company scales and grows. I wanted to ensure this support would remain strong in the future. Barre3 emphasized that franchisee support is and will continue to be a top priority. I also saw the strength of the franchise network myself during the owner discovery process. I spoke with so many incredible, smart women studio owners from all from different backgrounds and careers. There’s such power in women supporting women!
B3: After you passed your Business Interview and signed your Franchise Agreement, what happened next?
ABBY: After signing the FA, the transition to the next phase went very smoothly. Harper Kalin [VP of Studio Operations] introduced me to Jordan Ware [Manager of New Studio Development]. Jordan connected me to barre3’s real estate partner FranSite, who then connected me to a local broker. FranSite and the local broker are partners–FranSite knows all the barre3 specs, and my local broker is “boots on ground,” helping me see spaces. Because of this partnership, I know I’m not selecting my site blindly. FranSite and the barre3 team understand what works and doesn’t work for a studio.
B3: Though you’re currently in the site selection phase of new studio development, let’s look ahead to when your studio opens. What’s your biggest hope for your studio?
ABBY: I want to open this studio and give people in my community a chance to experience something that has been so life changing for me. I want to pour love into the neighborhood where I’m raising my kids, and make the studio a safe haven for people. I’d like to build a space that can be an inspiration to my kids. In keeping with barre3’s mission and core values, I want to shift the narrative around what it means to have a healthy relationship with exercise and with your body, and pass that on to the next generation.
B3: What would you share with someone who is just beginning to consider whether barre3 studio ownership is right for them?
ABBY: It’s okay if you’re a little scared! In general, I think we sometimes tend to want to gather all the information, know all the answers, and be as knowledgeable as possible before taking action. Know that you don’t have to have all the answers right away–there is a team at barre3 who will teach you as you go. You just have to be brave enough to start. Crack open that door and see what happens!
FRANCHISEE BIO
Abby’s journey with barre3 began in Atlanta, GA in 2017. She and her husband Mike had just moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta for Mike’s job. Abby was looking for group fitness classes as a way to establish routine and meet new people. She was hooked after her first barre3 class! She became a member and eventually was certified as an instructor in 2019. Since then she has worked for multiple barre3 studios as an instructor and leadership team member. Abby spent over a decade as a nonprofit fundraiser and event planner. During that time she served a number of organizations including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Sundance Institute, and Habitat for Humanity International. She is excited to bring her community building skills to barre3 studio ownership. Abby and Mike recently moved back to Los Angeles with their two children. Abby currently teaches classes at barre3 Studio City.
Thank you, Abby! The b3 Blog will catch up with Abby next year once she has secured a studio space and is closer to her Grand Opening. In the meantime, follow Abby on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
Learn more about opening a new barre3 studio in your community, or purchasing/converting a studio, by completing our Franchise Sales Interest Form. Once you submit your information, the Franchise Expansion team will connect with you.
