Connect
Life Lessons From Our Moms
In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked seven barre3 team members to tell us what they learned from their moms. We’re so inspired by their stories—and we think you will be, too! Read on for life lessons from moms, our first—and, in many ways our greatest—teachers.
“Always be on time. Dress in a presentable way. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Be respectful and honest. Be loyal. My mom is always teaching me valuable life lessons, but my biggest takeaway has been more about the way she makes people feel. She always puts a smile on people’s faces, and I try to do the same. As the security guard at barre3, I’m often the first and last person people see when they come in for a class. I’m there to keep them safe, first and foremost, but if I can make their day better by making them smile, my day—and theirs—is that much better.” – Grady Johnson, barre3 Atlanta – South Buckhead Security Guard
“My mom and my grandmother have always been my biggest inspiration. They opened a quaint little jewelry store in downtown San Mateo in the 1980s, and they knew everyone in the neighborhood. I used to spend my weekends helping out at the store, and I loved listening to the wonderful stories our customers would share with us about their lives. Watching my mom and my grandmother taught me how to build a business based on honesty and trust. I always knew I wanted to start my own business just like them. Fast-forward 30 years later, to the day I opened barre3 San Mateo just around the corner from their store. It was a dream come true for me. Everything has come full circle, and I owe it all to those early lessons I learned from my mom and my grandma about entrepreneurship and living what you love. I am so blessed to have such strong women in my life supporting me.” – May Bartus, barre3 San Mateo Owner
“My mother grew up in Italy and was one of 11 children. She grew up poor, had very little education, and began working at age 12. Imagine—she owns her own restaurant today! She put me through college and supported me through moments of struggle. As an immigrant woman, my mother never had it easy, but her view of the world was always about possibility. Because of her, I realize that everyone’s path looks different, and that we are always learning.” – Dino Malvone, barre3 West Village Studio Director
“My mom has always told me, “life is what you make it”—and it used to drive me absolutely NUTS. But it really is true. Things may seem difficult, or your job might be boring. You may not feel fulfilled in your current path. YOU are the only one who has the power to change that. I always hated to hear this when things weren’t going my way, but as I have gotten older, it has been pretty wonderful to accomplish something or make a change and realize that was all me—I did that! So while it still sometimes drives me nuts when my mom reminds me that life is what you make it, I know she’s right.” – Alice Ross, barre3 Cherry Creek – Denver Cleaning Team
“My mom has always taught me that life is full of surprises and adventures—both good and bad. It’s how you handle those situations and experiences and what you learn and take with you that shapes you. Stay strong, stay humble, and learn from everything—even the hard stuff. Oh, and always write thoughtful, handwritten cards for birthdays, special occasions, or thank-yous. So important!” – Sarah Regier, barre3 Austin – Four Points Owner
“One of my favorite things about my mom is not just her ability to give generously, but the way she does it. She and my dad have a pretty substantial vegetable garden, and they love giving away fresh green beans, herbs, lettuces, and tomatoes. They also kept bees for some time and enjoyed jarring the honey to share with friends and neighbors. My mom showed me that it can feel just as good—if not better!—to give as it does to receive.” – Alicia Sokol, barre3 DC – 14th Street Owner
“I have some amazing female examples when it comes to keeping my body strong and healthy. When my brother and I were in grade school, my mom got up every morning at 6 a.m. to work out. She made sure we had healthy lunches packed, and she always had us playing multiple sports. And then there’s my grandmother. She’s in her eighties, and she goes to barre3 three times a week. Talk about motivation for me to get to the studio!” – Grace Veneklasen – barre3 Fayetteville Front Desk + Child-Care Team
What lessons—big or small—did your mom teach you? How have those lessons shaped the way you live today? Tell us in the comments below!
In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked seven barre3 team members to tell us what they learned from their moms. We’re so inspired by their stories—and we think you will be, too! Read on for life lessons from moms, our first—and, in many ways our greatest—teachers.
“Always be on time. Dress in a presentable way. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Be respectful and honest. Be loyal. My mom is always teaching me valuable life lessons, but my biggest takeaway has been more about the way she makes people feel. She always puts a smile on people’s faces, and I try to do the same. As the security guard at barre3, I’m often the first and last person people see when they come in for a class. I’m there to keep them safe, first and foremost, but if I can make their day better by making them smile, my day—and theirs—is that much better.” – Grady Johnson, barre3 Atlanta – South Buckhead Security Guard
“My mom and my grandmother have always been my biggest inspiration. They opened a quaint little jewelry store in downtown San Mateo in the 1980s, and they knew everyone in the neighborhood. I used to spend my weekends helping out at the store, and I loved listening to the wonderful stories our customers would share with us about their lives. Watching my mom and my grandmother taught me how to build a business based on honesty and trust. I always knew I wanted to start my own business just like them. Fast-forward 30 years later, to the day I opened barre3 San Mateo just around the corner from their store. It was a dream come true for me. Everything has come full circle, and I owe it all to those early lessons I learned from my mom and my grandma about entrepreneurship and living what you love. I am so blessed to have such strong women in my life supporting me.” – May Bartus, barre3 San Mateo Owner
“My mother grew up in Italy and was one of 11 children. She grew up poor, had very little education, and began working at age 12. Imagine—she owns her own restaurant today! She put me through college and supported me through moments of struggle. As an immigrant woman, my mother never had it easy, but her view of the world was always about possibility. Because of her, I realize that everyone’s path looks different, and that we are always learning.” – Dino Malvone, barre3 West Village Studio Director
“My mom has always told me, “life is what you make it”—and it used to drive me absolutely NUTS. But it really is true. Things may seem difficult, or your job might be boring. You may not feel fulfilled in your current path. YOU are the only one who has the power to change that. I always hated to hear this when things weren’t going my way, but as I have gotten older, it has been pretty wonderful to accomplish something or make a change and realize that was all me—I did that! So while it still sometimes drives me nuts when my mom reminds me that life is what you make it, I know she’s right.” – Alice Ross, barre3 Cherry Creek – Denver Cleaning Team
“My mom has always taught me that life is full of surprises and adventures—both good and bad. It’s how you handle those situations and experiences and what you learn and take with you that shapes you. Stay strong, stay humble, and learn from everything—even the hard stuff. Oh, and always write thoughtful, handwritten cards for birthdays, special occasions, or thank-yous. So important!” – Sarah Regier, barre3 Austin – Four Points Owner
“One of my favorite things about my mom is not just her ability to give generously, but the way she does it. She and my dad have a pretty substantial vegetable garden, and they love giving away fresh green beans, herbs, lettuces, and tomatoes. They also kept bees for some time and enjoyed jarring the honey to share with friends and neighbors. My mom showed me that it can feel just as good—if not better!—to give as it does to receive.” – Alicia Sokol, barre3 DC – 14th Street Owner
“I have some amazing female examples when it comes to keeping my body strong and healthy. When my brother and I were in grade school, my mom got up every morning at 6 a.m. to work out. She made sure we had healthy lunches packed, and she always had us playing multiple sports. And then there’s my grandmother. She’s in her eighties, and she goes to barre3 three times a week. Talk about motivation for me to get to the studio!” – Grace Veneklasen – barre3 Fayetteville Front Desk + Child-Care Team
What lessons—big or small—did your mom teach you? How have those lessons shaped the way you live today? Tell us in the comments below!
