Studio Owner Stories
Studio Owner Story: Emily Rothrock, barre3 Blue Bell & barre3 Rosemont
Emily Rothrock has taught fitness in Philadelphia for over 15 years and is a passionate advocate of the barre3 mission of teaching people to be balanced in body and empowered from within. Being a barre3 studio owner allows her to combine her two loves: wellness & movement and entrepreneurship. Emily started as a founding instructor of the Rosemont studio in 2014, opened the Blue Bell studio in 2017, and returned to Rosemont as studio owner in 2024. Emily lives in Philadelphia with her labradoodle, Herbie. Read our interview below to learn more about her journey to barre3 studio ownership.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Emily! Tell us about your personal and professional background before becoming a studio owner.
Emily: I grew up dancing and playing sports but wasn’t really great at anything until my mom took me to my first group exercise class in the church basement when I was 14. I loved moving and strengthening my body, and all of the mental health benefits. Fast forward to graduating from Penn State with an English degree, I became a part-time spin instructor while working in corporate marketing. I continued to teach while working in marketing for a real estate company and a fitness concept—but what I really loved was teaching, so I went full time with that for a few years before transitioning to barre3 studio ownership.
B3: What first led you to barre3?
Emily: When I was working for another major fitness brand, I found barre3 because the local studio owner was looking for founding instructors. I fell in love with the idea of working with a women-led brand, and as a fitness instructor, I recognized the quality and care that went into the barre3 instructor training program. I was hooked from my first visit to Portland, OR, and vividly remember being on the plane home, knowing I’d be back sooner than later.
B3: Once you’d fallen in love with barre3, what inspired you to transition from instructor to franchise owner?
Emily: I enjoyed being a part of a barre3 studio community and saw the power of the product and brand. My family supported me to attend an “Explore Barre3” session in Portland, and I signed my franchise agreement for barre3 Blue Bell the next week!
B3: How did your previous career and life experience prepare you to be a studio owner?
Emily: My marketing background and previous experience in other fitness concepts gave me a keen eye for how I wanted my studio to run and the feeling I wanted our clients to have when they walked in the door. And, being an instructor was key to facilitating successful pre-opening pop-up classes, and hiring and mentoring my founding instructor team.
B3: How does the barre3 Support Center foster your success?
Emily: The barre3 Support Center is always there for us. As someone who’s spent more than 15 years in the fitness industry, I am constantly blown away by our Training Team and the quality and care that goes into the barre3 product. I truly believe we teach the most effective and efficient fitness class, and our instructors are set up for success in the studio—and in life—with continuing education and mentorship that comes with the training process.
B3: What would you want our readers to know about the barre3 studio owner community?
Emily: It really is as wonderful, welcoming, and kind as it seems. “Practice authenticity” is one of our core values, and our studio owners bring that passion and care to their local studios and also to each other.
B3: What excites you most about owning and operating your own barre3 studio?
Emily: I am so proud to bring our class to life each day in my communities and to mentor and grow my team. The larger our team, the more classes we offer, and the greater the impact we can have on our clients. They take that into their homes and workplaces, and it’s a win-win for all of us!
B3: How do you structure the management/day-to-day operations of the studio?
Emily: I could not do this without my fabulous team—from Front Desk to Play Lounge (childcare services) to Instructors—who are led by Lead Mentors (instructor trainers), Mentors, a Studio Manager, and Studio Director. I empower my leaders to run their teams and model our core values. I am here to support them and drive our vision forward. Great people running great franchise systems allow our day-to-day operations to happen smoothly so I can focus on the big picture.
B3: What qualities are necessary to be a successful barre3 studio owner?
Emily: Grit, kindness, love of learning, and confidence. Running a small business isn’t easy, and there are tough days when it feels like everything is falling apart. I believe you only lose if you give up—and that’s not my plan! It takes confidence and a desire to keep growing and learning to lead a successful team, and kindness is part of barre3’s DNA.
B3: What goals do you have for your two studios going forward?
Emily: Growth! My goal is to continue serving our communities and delivering on our brand promise to teach people to be balanced in body and empowered from within. I can’t do it alone, so I am continuing to recruit and mentor great talent. My people are the best people, and my role as studio owner is to support my team in supporting our clients.
B3: What differentiates barre3 from other fitness brands and concepts?
Emily: How long do I have?! I think the number one thing that differentiates us is how we treat people. Our instructors and team really get to know our clients, and they show up authentically to do that every day. We are trained to be present and in the moment with our clients, which in turn supports our clients in presence of mind and body.
B3: What kind of impact do you hope to have in your greater community and on your clients?
Emily: Filling up your own cup is so important. Especially as women, we have so many people relying on us each day, and it’s important to show up for ourselves first. Even so, I think about the impact beyond our families and our immediate circle—be it the grocery store clerk or the person who cuts you off in traffic. What if we can channel that grounded, positive energy into making our community a better place?
B3: What excites you about the future of barre3 and your role in it?
Emily: At barre3, we say that the only constant is change. I appreciate that I’m invested with a company that prioritizes growth and evolution. When we learn something new about the best way to support our clients, we implement it into our product. The research and development that goes into the class is top-notch, and I’m always excited to hear what’s around the corner from the Support Center.
B3: What would you say to someone considering franchising with barre3?
Emily: Know yourself and the strengths and skills you bring to the table. I always tell people to be really honest with themselves about their risk tolerance, their ability to lead, and their commitment to learning —running a small business isn’t easy. If you feel confident in those things… do it! You’ll have a great partner in the barre3 Support Center and an amazing studio owner network to help you along the way.
B3: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Emily: From an English degree and very little business experience to running two successful businesses—I am so incredibly grateful that my winding path brought me to where I am today as a barre3 studio owner. The challenges and opportunities continue to inspire me to learn and grow, and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.
B3: Thank you, Emily!
Interested in exploring barre3 studio ownership? Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a barre3 studio owner today.
Emily Rothrock has taught fitness in Philadelphia for over 15 years and is a passionate advocate of the barre3 mission of teaching people to be balanced in body and empowered from within. Being a barre3 studio owner allows her to combine her two loves: wellness & movement and entrepreneurship. Emily started as a founding instructor of the Rosemont studio in 2014, opened the Blue Bell studio in 2017, and returned to Rosemont as studio owner in 2024. Emily lives in Philadelphia with her labradoodle, Herbie. Read our interview below to learn more about her journey to barre3 studio ownership.
B3: Thanks for sitting down with us today, Emily! Tell us about your personal and professional background before becoming a studio owner.
Emily: I grew up dancing and playing sports but wasn’t really great at anything until my mom took me to my first group exercise class in the church basement when I was 14. I loved moving and strengthening my body, and all of the mental health benefits. Fast forward to graduating from Penn State with an English degree, I became a part-time spin instructor while working in corporate marketing. I continued to teach while working in marketing for a real estate company and a fitness concept—but what I really loved was teaching, so I went full time with that for a few years before transitioning to barre3 studio ownership.
B3: What first led you to barre3?
Emily: When I was working for another major fitness brand, I found barre3 because the local studio owner was looking for founding instructors. I fell in love with the idea of working with a women-led brand, and as a fitness instructor, I recognized the quality and care that went into the barre3 instructor training program. I was hooked from my first visit to Portland, OR, and vividly remember being on the plane home, knowing I’d be back sooner than later.
B3: Once you’d fallen in love with barre3, what inspired you to transition from instructor to franchise owner?
Emily: I enjoyed being a part of a barre3 studio community and saw the power of the product and brand. My family supported me to attend an “Explore Barre3” session in Portland, and I signed my franchise agreement for barre3 Blue Bell the next week!
B3: How did your previous career and life experience prepare you to be a studio owner?
Emily: My marketing background and previous experience in other fitness concepts gave me a keen eye for how I wanted my studio to run and the feeling I wanted our clients to have when they walked in the door. And, being an instructor was key to facilitating successful pre-opening pop-up classes, and hiring and mentoring my founding instructor team.
B3: How does the barre3 Support Center foster your success?
Emily: The barre3 Support Center is always there for us. As someone who’s spent more than 15 years in the fitness industry, I am constantly blown away by our Training Team and the quality and care that goes into the barre3 product. I truly believe we teach the most effective and efficient fitness class, and our instructors are set up for success in the studio—and in life—with continuing education and mentorship that comes with the training process.
B3: What would you want our readers to know about the barre3 studio owner community?
Emily: It really is as wonderful, welcoming, and kind as it seems. “Practice authenticity” is one of our core values, and our studio owners bring that passion and care to their local studios and also to each other.
B3: What excites you most about owning and operating your own barre3 studio?
Emily: I am so proud to bring our class to life each day in my communities and to mentor and grow my team. The larger our team, the more classes we offer, and the greater the impact we can have on our clients. They take that into their homes and workplaces, and it’s a win-win for all of us!
B3: How do you structure the management/day-to-day operations of the studio?
Emily: I could not do this without my fabulous team—from Front Desk to Play Lounge (childcare services) to Instructors—who are led by Lead Mentors (instructor trainers), Mentors, a Studio Manager, and Studio Director. I empower my leaders to run their teams and model our core values. I am here to support them and drive our vision forward. Great people running great franchise systems allow our day-to-day operations to happen smoothly so I can focus on the big picture.
B3: What qualities are necessary to be a successful barre3 studio owner?
Emily: Grit, kindness, love of learning, and confidence. Running a small business isn’t easy, and there are tough days when it feels like everything is falling apart. I believe you only lose if you give up—and that’s not my plan! It takes confidence and a desire to keep growing and learning to lead a successful team, and kindness is part of barre3’s DNA.
B3: What goals do you have for your two studios going forward?
Emily: Growth! My goal is to continue serving our communities and delivering on our brand promise to teach people to be balanced in body and empowered from within. I can’t do it alone, so I am continuing to recruit and mentor great talent. My people are the best people, and my role as studio owner is to support my team in supporting our clients.
B3: What differentiates barre3 from other fitness brands and concepts?
Emily: How long do I have?! I think the number one thing that differentiates us is how we treat people. Our instructors and team really get to know our clients, and they show up authentically to do that every day. We are trained to be present and in the moment with our clients, which in turn supports our clients in presence of mind and body.
B3: What kind of impact do you hope to have in your greater community and on your clients?
Emily: Filling up your own cup is so important. Especially as women, we have so many people relying on us each day, and it’s important to show up for ourselves first. Even so, I think about the impact beyond our families and our immediate circle—be it the grocery store clerk or the person who cuts you off in traffic. What if we can channel that grounded, positive energy into making our community a better place?
B3: What excites you about the future of barre3 and your role in it?
Emily: At barre3, we say that the only constant is change. I appreciate that I’m invested with a company that prioritizes growth and evolution. When we learn something new about the best way to support our clients, we implement it into our product. The research and development that goes into the class is top-notch, and I’m always excited to hear what’s around the corner from the Support Center.
B3: What would you say to someone considering franchising with barre3?
Emily: Know yourself and the strengths and skills you bring to the table. I always tell people to be really honest with themselves about their risk tolerance, their ability to lead, and their commitment to learning —running a small business isn’t easy. If you feel confident in those things… do it! You’ll have a great partner in the barre3 Support Center and an amazing studio owner network to help you along the way.
B3: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Emily: From an English degree and very little business experience to running two successful businesses—I am so incredibly grateful that my winding path brought me to where I am today as a barre3 studio owner. The challenges and opportunities continue to inspire me to learn and grow, and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.
B3: Thank you, Emily!
Interested in exploring barre3 studio ownership? Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a barre3 studio owner today.
