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Studio Owner Story: Erin Lantz & Jen Perrault, barre3 Yakima
Meet Erin and Jen, the co-owners behind barre3 Yakima in Washington state. Combining over a decade of corporate Human Resources experience with fifteen years in elementary education, this dynamic duo turned a shared love for barre3’s online workouts into a thriving, community-centered small business. Despite the immense challenge of launching mid-pandemic, they successfully introduced an entirely new fitness concept to the Yakima Valley, building a welcoming sanctuary focused on mindful movement, connection, and long-term strength.
Below, Erin and Jen share their journey from the corporate and education worlds to franchise owners, their strategic approach to co-ownership and studio operations, and the industry-breaking philosophy that makes barre3 a refreshing departure from traditional fitness culture.
B3 Blog: What are your professional backgrounds, and what inspired you to make the leap from online clients to opening Yakima’s first barre3 studio?
Erin: Prior to opening barre3 Yakima, I worked in Human Resources for over 10 years. I’ve always been passionate about supporting others and leading teams, and I’ve seamlessly transferred that from the corporate world into studio co-ownership.
Jen: Before this, I spent 15 years teaching elementary education. Connecting with people, meeting them where their needs are, and celebrating their successes are all things I loved about teaching—and they are exactly what I love about running a studio now.
Erin: We both originally discovered and fell in love with barre3 through its online platform. We loved how we felt afterward, but the nearest studio was over two hours away. After experiencing a live, in-person class, we realized Yakima was missing something incredibly special. Pursuing studio ownership was a major leap of faith—in ourselves and our community—but we trusted the framework of the barre3 Support Center and decided we were going to build it ourselves.
B3: Jen, as someone who grew up in the Yakima Valley with deep family roots in local farming, what does it mean to you personally to bring this wellness community to your hometown?
Jen: The Yakima Valley is my home. Both sides of my family have farmed this land for generations, literally pouring their hearts into it. Because we are a smaller community, we don’t always have the same fitness and wellness options as a big city. I am deeply honored to bring a business here that focuses on nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and soul. It’s my opportunity to pour my heart back into this valley just like my family always has.
B3: What makes the barre3 concept unique, and how do you replicate that immediate, empowering “aha!” feeling for new clients walking in?
Jen: Mindfulness is the biggest differentiator. Tuning in and listening to your body is a game-changer. The focus is on a deeper understanding of why movements matter, choosing modifications, and challenging yourself in ways that build strength for longevity without burning you out.
Erin: To replicate that, we focus entirely on connection—to each other and to your own breath. We want everyone to know they are welcome exactly as they are today. We aren’t chasing an aesthetic ideal; we’re after a feeling of being challenged, not defeated. Our team of instructors and staff is our “secret sauce.” Their magic is contagious, and they’ve built an unmatched community where clients make real, lasting friendships that extend far beyond the studio walls.
B3: You opened right in the middle of the pandemic. What was that initial journey like, and how do you structure your partnership and day-to-day operations now?
Erin: We are so proud of how far we’ve come. We survived strict class size limits of five people, a two-month studio closure for livestream-only sessions, and introducing an entirely new concept to a community that constantly asked, “What is barre?” Through it all, we built a tight partnership. We could not have done this without each other.
Jen: Today, we have a team of 11 instructors, Play Lounge (childcare services), and full classes. We divide up backend work like emails, social media, and bookkeeping based on our strengths. Co-ownership allows us to do a lot of work remotely, which is a gift for balancing business with motherhood. We are both highly involved in our kids’ lives in ways a typical 9-to-5 job wouldn’t allow, and we always step in to cover for one another when needed.
B3: How do your different professional backgrounds complement each other when making business decisions?
Erin: We are very similar where it matters, but our differences balance the business beautifully. My HR and business background is great for team leadership and decisive decision-making, while Jen’s background as an educator is invaluable for mentoring and developing our team.
B3: How does the broader barre3 franchise network support your success, and what qualities make a great studio owner?
Jen: The Support Center is fantastic because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel—the class templates, marketing assets, and brand standards ensure an elevated, consistent experience.
Erin: The studio owner community is also so diverse and supportive; there is always someone to lend an ear or cheer you on. To be a successful barre3 studio owner, you need grit, determination, passion, and a sense of humor. You have to be open to trying new things, collaborative with local businesses, and dedicated to creating a safe space for yourself to lead.
B3: What excites you most about the future of barre3 as a brand, and what are your specific goals for the Yakima studio going forward?
Jen: It’s exciting to see the brand constantly evolve based on research. The addition of strength and cardio classes since we opened has been a huge win for our clients, and we love that the brand embraces change.
Erin: Going forward, our goal is to continue growing and welcoming new clients while keeping our core community coming back. We also want to support our team as they flourish in their own lives. We are so pleased with where we are today and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Ready to start your own studio ownership journey? Click here to learn more about the barre3 franchise opportunity and how you can join our network of 200+ studios worldwide.
Meet Erin and Jen, the co-owners behind barre3 Yakima in Washington state. Combining over a decade of corporate Human Resources experience with fifteen years in elementary education, this dynamic duo turned a shared love for barre3’s online workouts into a thriving, community-centered small business. Despite the immense challenge of launching mid-pandemic, they successfully introduced an entirely new fitness concept to the Yakima Valley, building a welcoming sanctuary focused on mindful movement, connection, and long-term strength.
Below, Erin and Jen share their journey from the corporate and education worlds to franchise owners, their strategic approach to co-ownership and studio operations, and the industry-breaking philosophy that makes barre3 a refreshing departure from traditional fitness culture.
B3 Blog: What are your professional backgrounds, and what inspired you to make the leap from online clients to opening Yakima’s first barre3 studio?
Erin: Prior to opening barre3 Yakima, I worked in Human Resources for over 10 years. I’ve always been passionate about supporting others and leading teams, and I’ve seamlessly transferred that from the corporate world into studio co-ownership.
Jen: Before this, I spent 15 years teaching elementary education. Connecting with people, meeting them where their needs are, and celebrating their successes are all things I loved about teaching—and they are exactly what I love about running a studio now.
Erin: We both originally discovered and fell in love with barre3 through its online platform. We loved how we felt afterward, but the nearest studio was over two hours away. After experiencing a live, in-person class, we realized Yakima was missing something incredibly special. Pursuing studio ownership was a major leap of faith—in ourselves and our community—but we trusted the framework of the barre3 Support Center and decided we were going to build it ourselves.
B3: Jen, as someone who grew up in the Yakima Valley with deep family roots in local farming, what does it mean to you personally to bring this wellness community to your hometown?
Jen: The Yakima Valley is my home. Both sides of my family have farmed this land for generations, literally pouring their hearts into it. Because we are a smaller community, we don’t always have the same fitness and wellness options as a big city. I am deeply honored to bring a business here that focuses on nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and soul. It’s my opportunity to pour my heart back into this valley just like my family always has.
B3: What makes the barre3 concept unique, and how do you replicate that immediate, empowering “aha!” feeling for new clients walking in?
Jen: Mindfulness is the biggest differentiator. Tuning in and listening to your body is a game-changer. The focus is on a deeper understanding of why movements matter, choosing modifications, and challenging yourself in ways that build strength for longevity without burning you out.
Erin: To replicate that, we focus entirely on connection—to each other and to your own breath. We want everyone to know they are welcome exactly as they are today. We aren’t chasing an aesthetic ideal; we’re after a feeling of being challenged, not defeated. Our team of instructors and staff is our “secret sauce.” Their magic is contagious, and they’ve built an unmatched community where clients make real, lasting friendships that extend far beyond the studio walls.
B3: You opened right in the middle of the pandemic. What was that initial journey like, and how do you structure your partnership and day-to-day operations now?
Erin: We are so proud of how far we’ve come. We survived strict class size limits of five people, a two-month studio closure for livestream-only sessions, and introducing an entirely new concept to a community that constantly asked, “What is barre?” Through it all, we built a tight partnership. We could not have done this without each other.
Jen: Today, we have a team of 11 instructors, Play Lounge (childcare services), and full classes. We divide up backend work like emails, social media, and bookkeeping based on our strengths. Co-ownership allows us to do a lot of work remotely, which is a gift for balancing business with motherhood. We are both highly involved in our kids’ lives in ways a typical 9-to-5 job wouldn’t allow, and we always step in to cover for one another when needed.
B3: How do your different professional backgrounds complement each other when making business decisions?
Erin: We are very similar where it matters, but our differences balance the business beautifully. My HR and business background is great for team leadership and decisive decision-making, while Jen’s background as an educator is invaluable for mentoring and developing our team.
B3: How does the broader barre3 franchise network support your success, and what qualities make a great studio owner?
Jen: The Support Center is fantastic because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel—the class templates, marketing assets, and brand standards ensure an elevated, consistent experience.
Erin: The studio owner community is also so diverse and supportive; there is always someone to lend an ear or cheer you on. To be a successful barre3 studio owner, you need grit, determination, passion, and a sense of humor. You have to be open to trying new things, collaborative with local businesses, and dedicated to creating a safe space for yourself to lead.
B3: What excites you most about the future of barre3 as a brand, and what are your specific goals for the Yakima studio going forward?
Jen: It’s exciting to see the brand constantly evolve based on research. The addition of strength and cardio classes since we opened has been a huge win for our clients, and we love that the brand embraces change.
Erin: Going forward, our goal is to continue growing and welcoming new clients while keeping our core community coming back. We also want to support our team as they flourish in their own lives. We are so pleased with where we are today and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Ready to start your own studio ownership journey? Click here to learn more about the barre3 franchise opportunity and how you can join our network of 200+ studios worldwide.
