Owner Stories
STUDIO OWNER STORIES: JAMIE TAMBOLI, BARRE3 CHICAGO-LAKEVIEW & BARRE3 MILWAUKEE
The b3 Blog sat down with studio owner Jamie Tamboli, who joined the barre3 fleet as part of The Barre Code acquisition in 2023. At the time, she owned a single studio in Milwaukee, WI, which she purchased from the founding owner in January 2022. Jamie has since purchased a second studio in Chicago, IL, and is in the midst of new studio development for a third in North Shore, WI. She shares how the transition to barre3 has transformed her studios and personal journey.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Jamie! To start, can you tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a studio owner, which begins with a different fitness franchise?
JAMIE: I found The Barre Code (TBC) Milwaukee in 2019 and quickly became an instructor in 2020. Then, in 2022, the founding owner approached me to tell me she was selling the studio, and that she thought I’d be a great owner. I decided that if I didn’t take the leap to be an owner, I would regret it, and I officially became the owner of TBC Milwaukee on December 31, 2021. Fast forward to 2023, when I was informed that barre3 had acquired The Barre Code. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with barre3 since there was only one studio in Wisconsin. I soon traveled to Madison to take a barre3 and immediately loved it. I loved how there were options for everyone while still being a sweaty, fun challenge. I walked out feeling empowered and ready—not just physically, but also mentally–as I started gearing up to convert my own studio. So, though at first the acquisition announcement was a bit anxiety-inducing, after taking a class at barre3 Madison and doing my research, I was excited and knew the transition was going to go well.
B3: That’s great to hear! How did you approach the news of the acquisition with your studio staff?
JAMIE: I knew it was important to be a strong, positive leader. I thought, “if I dream, breathe, eat, and sleep barre3, my staff and clients are going to trust me and feed off of my excitement”–and they did!
B3: How did the barre3 Franchise Team support the transition?
JAMIE: I was initially worried that the barre3 Home Office [HO] staff wouldn’t know my name or my studio due to the large owner network, but I quickly realized this wasn’t the case. The Home Office team invests their time and energy into getting to know each owner individually, which comes through in all the franchise communication and support we receive. I immediately felt seen as an owner, which helped ease my nerves as I tackled the studio conversion.
B3: Several months after the acquisition was announced, you purchased a second studio in Chicago, IL–also a former Barre Code location–which you converted to barre3. What can you share about the conversion process and outcome?
JAMIE: Converting the two studios was a very big project involving new contractors, new signage, new sales and marketing strategies, and so much more. Now that the studios are fully converted to barre3, they are bright, light, and airy. The barre3 branding is perfect, and embodies who we are and what our classes are. The transition also gave me an opportunity to re-train my studio teams and level set with new expectations. It was humbling for us to feel new at everything again–but we were all in it together. Since converting to barre3, I can confidently say that our member base has grown significantly, and my team is as strong as ever.
B3: Changing all your classes to barre3 must have also been a big shift. How did you and your team adjust?
JAMIE: The instructor team responded very positively to the barre3 class types, taking my lead. Every time I teach barre3 Signature I say, “I love this class!” out loud at least once or twice. The class offers everything in 45 minutes and is efficient and effective. I love the energy arc of class–from the gentle warm up, to pushing in combo work, to connecting in core work, and ending with stretch and breath work. I’m also certified in b3 Cardio and b3 Strength. I really love that we now have barre3 Signature class as our “bread and butter” class, and offer other class types as the “side dishes,” which are great options to cross-train and be balanced in body.
B3: Congratulations are also in order, as you recently signed a new Franchise Agreement for studio number three in North Shore, WI. What contributed to your decision to expand to three studios during such a busy time?
JAMIE: My deep desire for everyone to experience barre3 drove my decision to open a third studio. My husband Kyle and I always had it in our minds that we wanted a studio in the Milwaukee suburbs, but when I purchased the Chicago studio in spring of 2024, we paused on that idea. We trusted that if and when the time was right, we would circle back–and it didn’t take long! Late last year, we reengaged with the barre3 Franchise Expansion team, who confirmed that the North Shore was a good fit for a new studio. Though I’m a Milwaukee native, I really valued the support from Rachel Intile [Franchise Sales Manager] and Jordan Ware [New Studio Development Manager] at the Home Office. They helped me with market research and walked me through the new studio development process, since this would be my first new studio. Things progressed quickly, and we signed our third Franchise Agreement in December 2024. We’re hoping to open later this year.
B3: It will be so exciting to see your new studio come to life! What are your big hopes for the studio?
JAMIE: I want to create a community in the North Shore of Wisconsin that mimics the Milwaukee and Chicago communities I’ve already nurtured. I always say that everyone should experience barre3 at least once in their life, and opening this studio will help make that a reality. I can’t wait to bring barre3’s empowerment and strength to a new market and share its magic with more people.
B3: Shifting gears a bit, you’ve opened up about how barre3 has supported your personal wellness journey. Could you share more with us?
JAMIE: I dealt with an eating disorder in 2020 and 2021. At the time, I was focused on how my body looked, not how I was feeling. In 2022, I started the recovery process. I began to focus on doing what felt good in my body, and eating what my body wanted. Barre3’s mission and values and approach to fitness supported what I was working through personally. I started to trust my body and live out the sentiment of “it’s not about how you look, but how you feel.” Now I know that being healthy does not mean focusing on the number of calories I’m eating or how sweaty I am in class–it’s living in the moment and doing what makes sense for my body.
B3: Thank you for sharing–it’s great to hear you’re doing so well today. Have you noticed any differences in how your clients show up in the studio now that you’ve converted to barre3?
JAMIE: Yes. Barre3 helped me shift my relationship with exercise so I can be in the moment, and I truly believe it’s doing the same for my clients. Since converting to barre3, I see fewer devices in the studio and fewer people looking at watches during the workout. I also notice so many different body types, genders, and ages showing up for themselves. It’s comforting to know that everyone can find joy and success in the 45-minute class. Every barre3 owner, staff member, and instructor is aligned in our mission to help others be balanced in body and empowered from within.
B3: Finally, what would you share with someone who is just beginning to consider whether barre3 studio ownership is right for them?
JAMIE: Trust your gut. If you have a feeling that a barre3 studio in your area would do well and serve your community, listen to that voice and start the conversation with the Franchise Expansion team. Opening a studio takes a lot of energy and effort, but if you have a spark in you and a drive to succeed, and the market is viable for growth, the barre3 team will help you make it happen. I’d also recommend speaking to other barre3 studio owners and taking as many classes as you can. I personally love speaking to potential owners, as well. I’ve learned a lot through purchasing and converting two studios, and would love to share my experiences.
FRANCHISEE BIO
Jamie is the proud owner of the barre3 Chicago-Lakeview and barre3 Milwaukee studios. Her passion for health and wellness began in high school and has been the driving force behind her journey ever since. In 2019, Jamie discovered The Barre Code Milwaukee, and after just one class, she knew she’d found her home. She became an instructor in 2020, and was honored to take on the role of studio owner in January 2022. During this time, her husband Kyle was pursuing his MBA at Kellogg in Chicago. They often visited Chicago for the weekend. During each visit, Jamie made it a priority to carve out an hour to take class at the Chicago-Lakeview studio. Today, Jamie is excited to share her love of barre3 by owning the Chicago-Lakeview studio alongside her Milwaukee location. While Milwaukee is Jamie’s home base, you’ll find her at the Chicago studio often (and maybe even take a class with her). Jamie is passionate about helping others celebrate what their bodies are capable of, both inside and outside the studio. Her dream of creating a supportive, empowering community has come to life, and she couldn’t be more excited to continue building a space where everyone feels welcome, strong, and confident.
Thank you, Jamie! Follow barre3 Milwaukee and barre3 Chicago-Lakeview on Instagram, along with Jamie’s personal Instagram account.
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 studio owner Jamie Tamboli, who joined the barre3 fleet as part of The Barre Code acquisition in 2023. At the time, she owned a single studio in Milwaukee, WI, which she purchased from the founding owner in January 2022. Jamie has since purchased a second studio in Chicago, IL, and is in the midst of new studio development for a third in North Shore, WI. She shares how the transition to barre3 has transformed her studios and personal journey.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Jamie! To start, can you tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a studio owner, which begins with a different fitness franchise?
JAMIE: I found The Barre Code (TBC) Milwaukee in 2019 and quickly became an instructor in 2020. Then, in 2022, the founding owner approached me to tell me she was selling the studio, and that she thought I’d be a great owner. I decided that if I didn’t take the leap to be an owner, I would regret it, and I officially became the owner of TBC Milwaukee on December 31, 2021. Fast forward to 2023, when I was informed that barre3 had acquired The Barre Code. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with barre3 since there was only one studio in Wisconsin. I soon traveled to Madison to take a barre3 and immediately loved it. I loved how there were options for everyone while still being a sweaty, fun challenge. I walked out feeling empowered and ready—not just physically, but also mentally–as I started gearing up to convert my own studio. So, though at first the acquisition announcement was a bit anxiety-inducing, after taking a class at barre3 Madison and doing my research, I was excited and knew the transition was going to go well.
B3: That’s great to hear! How did you approach the news of the acquisition with your studio staff?
JAMIE: I knew it was important to be a strong, positive leader. I thought, “if I dream, breathe, eat, and sleep barre3, my staff and clients are going to trust me and feed off of my excitement”–and they did!
B3: How did the barre3 Franchise Team support the transition?
JAMIE: I was initially worried that the barre3 Home Office [HO] staff wouldn’t know my name or my studio due to the large owner network, but I quickly realized this wasn’t the case. The Home Office team invests their time and energy into getting to know each owner individually, which comes through in all the franchise communication and support we receive. I immediately felt seen as an owner, which helped ease my nerves as I tackled the studio conversion.
B3: Several months after the acquisition was announced, you purchased a second studio in Chicago, IL–also a former Barre Code location–which you converted to barre3. What can you share about the conversion process and outcome?
JAMIE: Converting the two studios was a very big project involving new contractors, new signage, new sales and marketing strategies, and so much more. Now that the studios are fully converted to barre3, they are bright, light, and airy. The barre3 branding is perfect, and embodies who we are and what our classes are. The transition also gave me an opportunity to re-train my studio teams and level set with new expectations. It was humbling for us to feel new at everything again–but we were all in it together. Since converting to barre3, I can confidently say that our member base has grown significantly, and my team is as strong as ever.
B3: Changing all your classes to barre3 must have also been a big shift. How did you and your team adjust?
JAMIE: The instructor team responded very positively to the barre3 class types, taking my lead. Every time I teach barre3 Signature I say, “I love this class!” out loud at least once or twice. The class offers everything in 45 minutes and is efficient and effective. I love the energy arc of class–from the gentle warm up, to pushing in combo work, to connecting in core work, and ending with stretch and breath work. I’m also certified in b3 Cardio and b3 Strength. I really love that we now have barre3 Signature class as our “bread and butter” class, and offer other class types as the “side dishes,” which are great options to cross-train and be balanced in body.
B3: Congratulations are also in order, as you recently signed a new Franchise Agreement for studio number three in North Shore, WI. What contributed to your decision to expand to three studios during such a busy time?
JAMIE: My deep desire for everyone to experience barre3 drove my decision to open a third studio. My husband Kyle and I always had it in our minds that we wanted a studio in the Milwaukee suburbs, but when I purchased the Chicago studio in spring of 2024, we paused on that idea. We trusted that if and when the time was right, we would circle back–and it didn’t take long! Late last year, we reengaged with the barre3 Franchise Expansion team, who confirmed that the North Shore was a good fit for a new studio. Though I’m a Milwaukee native, I really valued the support from Rachel Intile [Franchise Sales Manager] and Jordan Ware [New Studio Development Manager] at the Home Office. They helped me with market research and walked me through the new studio development process, since this would be my first new studio. Things progressed quickly, and we signed our third Franchise Agreement in December 2024. We’re hoping to open later this year.
B3: It will be so exciting to see your new studio come to life! What are your big hopes for the studio?
JAMIE: I want to create a community in the North Shore of Wisconsin that mimics the Milwaukee and Chicago communities I’ve already nurtured. I always say that everyone should experience barre3 at least once in their life, and opening this studio will help make that a reality. I can’t wait to bring barre3’s empowerment and strength to a new market and share its magic with more people.
B3: Shifting gears a bit, you’ve opened up about how barre3 has supported your personal wellness journey. Could you share more with us?
JAMIE: I dealt with an eating disorder in 2020 and 2021. At the time, I was focused on how my body looked, not how I was feeling. In 2022, I started the recovery process. I began to focus on doing what felt good in my body, and eating what my body wanted. Barre3’s mission and values and approach to fitness supported what I was working through personally. I started to trust my body and live out the sentiment of “it’s not about how you look, but how you feel.” Now I know that being healthy does not mean focusing on the number of calories I’m eating or how sweaty I am in class–it’s living in the moment and doing what makes sense for my body.
B3: Thank you for sharing–it’s great to hear you’re doing so well today. Have you noticed any differences in how your clients show up in the studio now that you’ve converted to barre3?
JAMIE: Yes. Barre3 helped me shift my relationship with exercise so I can be in the moment, and I truly believe it’s doing the same for my clients. Since converting to barre3, I see fewer devices in the studio and fewer people looking at watches during the workout. I also notice so many different body types, genders, and ages showing up for themselves. It’s comforting to know that everyone can find joy and success in the 45-minute class. Every barre3 owner, staff member, and instructor is aligned in our mission to help others be balanced in body and empowered from within.
B3: Finally, what would you share with someone who is just beginning to consider whether barre3 studio ownership is right for them?
JAMIE: Trust your gut. If you have a feeling that a barre3 studio in your area would do well and serve your community, listen to that voice and start the conversation with the Franchise Expansion team. Opening a studio takes a lot of energy and effort, but if you have a spark in you and a drive to succeed, and the market is viable for growth, the barre3 team will help you make it happen. I’d also recommend speaking to other barre3 studio owners and taking as many classes as you can. I personally love speaking to potential owners, as well. I’ve learned a lot through purchasing and converting two studios, and would love to share my experiences.
FRANCHISEE BIO
Jamie is the proud owner of the barre3 Chicago-Lakeview and barre3 Milwaukee studios. Her passion for health and wellness began in high school and has been the driving force behind her journey ever since. In 2019, Jamie discovered The Barre Code Milwaukee, and after just one class, she knew she’d found her home. She became an instructor in 2020, and was honored to take on the role of studio owner in January 2022. During this time, her husband Kyle was pursuing his MBA at Kellogg in Chicago. They often visited Chicago for the weekend. During each visit, Jamie made it a priority to carve out an hour to take class at the Chicago-Lakeview studio. Today, Jamie is excited to share her love of barre3 by owning the Chicago-Lakeview studio alongside her Milwaukee location. While Milwaukee is Jamie’s home base, you’ll find her at the Chicago studio often (and maybe even take a class with her). Jamie is passionate about helping others celebrate what their bodies are capable of, both inside and outside the studio. Her dream of creating a supportive, empowering community has come to life, and she couldn’t be more excited to continue building a space where everyone feels welcome, strong, and confident.
Thank you, Jamie! Follow barre3 Milwaukee and barre3 Chicago-Lakeview on Instagram, along with Jamie’s personal Instagram account.
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.
