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JESSICA DONELAN ON HOW FOLLOWING HER PASSION LED HER TO THE BARRE3 STUDIO
Jessica Donelan expresses her passion for barre3 in everything she does. From joining the barre3 Ft. Thomas studio as a client, to becoming an instructor, to owning the studio herself, Jessica’s barre3 journey spans across every role and every part of the barre3 studio business. Below, Jessica shares how she made the shift from a job that left her feeling unfulfilled to a career that fills her cup, every day.
BARRE3: WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A BARRE3 OWNER?
JESSICA DONELAN: I grew up just south of Cincinnati, Ohio in a small town in Kentucky where a barre3 studio had just opened. When I heard they were looking for instructors, I auditioned as soon as I could. Nine months later, I flew to Portland for instructor training, leaving my four-month-old and 3-year-old at home with my husband. I arrived in Portland with a feeling that barre3 was my calling.
At the time, I was working for an insurance company where I was employed for 8 years at a job that I wasn’t very passionate about. It was helping pay the bills, but teaching barre3 was feeding my soul. Fast-forward three years when I found myself in a position to purchase the studio where I had been an instructor. My roots are in Fort Thomas, so I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip away.
BARRE3: WHAT WAS IT ABOUT BARRE3 THAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN OWNER?
JESSICA: There’s something about moving my body in a way that feels challenging, yet joyful, that made me fall in love with the workout. Although I was (and still am) very passionate about teaching, I wanted to be a bigger part of this movement, and I wanted barre3 to be my full-time job.
I have always felt comfortable in leadership roles. I fell in love with barre3’s philosophy and core values. A couple of my favorites are Love of Learning and being Committed To Real. Barre3 is always growing and changing in the best ways. Sometimes change can be scary, but my love of learning keeps me grounded and excited about what’s next. There’s also something so freeing about the permission I feel within the barre3 community to unapologetically be who I am. I’m surrounded by a team and a group of owners who are always committed to real.
BARRE3: AS AN OWNER, DO YOU FEEL EMPOWERED TO RUN A THRIVING STUDIO?
JESSICA: The collective wisdom of my fellow owners is unparalleled. I attribute much of the success of our studio to the support I consistently receive from the barre3 Home Office and to the sharing of ideas and knowledge among owners. We are all rooting for each other’s success. It’s an incredible group of women.
BARRE3: HOW DOES BARRE3 DIFFER FROM OTHER PLACES YOU’VE WORKED?
JESSICA: In my previous career, there wasn’t much diversity in leadership. I worked for a lot of men who had been at the company for quite some time. It was a great company to work for, but it’s so refreshing to be surrounded and supported by a group of confident, smart, hard-working, generous women (and men!) who are all reaching for and working toward the same goal—to redefine what success in fitness means.
Simple things make a big impact. I have fallen in love with our practice of conducting our trainings in circles where everyone can be seen and heard. Each training or phone call always starts with getting grounded with our breath. These things matter, and they foster the spirit of community that barre3 supports.
BARRE3: YOU RUN A THRIVING STUDIO. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOUR CLIENTS FEEL VALUED AND WELCOME?
JESSICA: One of barre3’s core values is everybody matters. I try my best to wholeheartedly embrace this value with my studio team so that it resonates with our clients. I want everyone to feel seen and heard in all of the work they do. I truly believe the energy we put into our studio comes back to us tenfold. When everyone on our team feels like they matter, then they have the tools and guidance to put that same energy into making sure clients feel seen and heard every time they walk through our doors.
BARRE3: WHAT IS SOME OF THE FEEDBACK YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM CLIENTS ABOUT YOUR STUDIO?
JESSICA: My favorite thing clients say about our studio is that it feels like a second home to them. I feel that way too. It’s safe, welcoming, and kind. And that’s the best kind of place.
Ready to turn your passion for barre3 into a full-time career? Visit our franchise website to learn more about owning a barre3 studio and take the first step toward ownership here.
Jessica Donelan expresses her passion for barre3 in everything she does. From joining the barre3 Ft. Thomas studio as a client, to becoming an instructor, to owning the studio herself, Jessica’s barre3 journey spans across every role and every part of the barre3 studio business. Below, Jessica shares how she made the shift from a job that left her feeling unfulfilled to a career that fills her cup, every day.
BARRE3: WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A BARRE3 OWNER?
JESSICA DONELAN: I grew up just south of Cincinnati, Ohio in a small town in Kentucky where a barre3 studio had just opened. When I heard they were looking for instructors, I auditioned as soon as I could. Nine months later, I flew to Portland for instructor training, leaving my four-month-old and 3-year-old at home with my husband. I arrived in Portland with a feeling that barre3 was my calling.
At the time, I was working for an insurance company where I was employed for 8 years at a job that I wasn’t very passionate about. It was helping pay the bills, but teaching barre3 was feeding my soul. Fast-forward three years when I found myself in a position to purchase the studio where I had been an instructor. My roots are in Fort Thomas, so I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip away.
BARRE3: WHAT WAS IT ABOUT BARRE3 THAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN OWNER?
JESSICA: There’s something about moving my body in a way that feels challenging, yet joyful, that made me fall in love with the workout. Although I was (and still am) very passionate about teaching, I wanted to be a bigger part of this movement, and I wanted barre3 to be my full-time job.
I have always felt comfortable in leadership roles. I fell in love with barre3’s philosophy and core values. A couple of my favorites are Love of Learning and being Committed To Real. Barre3 is always growing and changing in the best ways. Sometimes change can be scary, but my love of learning keeps me grounded and excited about what’s next. There’s also something so freeing about the permission I feel within the barre3 community to unapologetically be who I am. I’m surrounded by a team and a group of owners who are always committed to real.
BARRE3: AS AN OWNER, DO YOU FEEL EMPOWERED TO RUN A THRIVING STUDIO?
JESSICA: The collective wisdom of my fellow owners is unparalleled. I attribute much of the success of our studio to the support I consistently receive from the barre3 Home Office and to the sharing of ideas and knowledge among owners. We are all rooting for each other’s success. It’s an incredible group of women.
BARRE3: HOW DOES BARRE3 DIFFER FROM OTHER PLACES YOU’VE WORKED?
JESSICA: In my previous career, there wasn’t much diversity in leadership. I worked for a lot of men who had been at the company for quite some time. It was a great company to work for, but it’s so refreshing to be surrounded and supported by a group of confident, smart, hard-working, generous women (and men!) who are all reaching for and working toward the same goal—to redefine what success in fitness means.
Simple things make a big impact. I have fallen in love with our practice of conducting our trainings in circles where everyone can be seen and heard. Each training or phone call always starts with getting grounded with our breath. These things matter, and they foster the spirit of community that barre3 supports.
BARRE3: YOU RUN A THRIVING STUDIO. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOUR CLIENTS FEEL VALUED AND WELCOME?
JESSICA: One of barre3’s core values is everybody matters. I try my best to wholeheartedly embrace this value with my studio team so that it resonates with our clients. I want everyone to feel seen and heard in all of the work they do. I truly believe the energy we put into our studio comes back to us tenfold. When everyone on our team feels like they matter, then they have the tools and guidance to put that same energy into making sure clients feel seen and heard every time they walk through our doors.
BARRE3: WHAT IS SOME OF THE FEEDBACK YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM CLIENTS ABOUT YOUR STUDIO?
JESSICA: My favorite thing clients say about our studio is that it feels like a second home to them. I feel that way too. It’s safe, welcoming, and kind. And that’s the best kind of place.
Ready to turn your passion for barre3 into a full-time career? Visit our franchise website to learn more about owning a barre3 studio and take the first step toward ownership here.
