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The Business of Belonging: A Look Inside Lindsay McConnell’s Journey to Studio Ownership
For Lindsay McConnell, the journey to becoming the owner of barre3 Alexandria – Old Town in Virginia didn’t start in a boardroom or a gym. It started in the world of student affairs at George Washington University. As a professional with a background in counseling, Lindsay spent 18 years supporting the student experience — a role that was rewarding but increasingly taxing.
“I found barre3 in 2014,” Lindsay recalls. “I was working in a stressful role in higher education and a colleague encouraged me to join her for a barre3 class. I was hesitant to go at first — I had a lot of preconceived notions of what group fitness was.”
That first class at barre3 Georgetown changed everything. “The instructors and staff made me feel welcome, seen, and as though I belonged.” What began as an outlet for stress soon became a cornerstone of her life.
A Foundation of Strength and Support
As Lindsay transitioned from a dedicated client to a founding instructor at the DC-14th Street studio, she realized that barre3 was more than just a workout; it was a companion through life’s transitions.
“The thing about barre3 that always draws me back is how the community and the workout has been there for me through every life stage. I began barre3 at a time of high professional stress, and it was an outlet for me — a source of joy, connection, and community. Since then, barre3 continues to show up for me — through pregnancies and postpartum, and my most joyous and heartbreaking seasons of life.”
This deep personal connection to the brand is what drives many women to consider franchise ownership. For Lindsay, the leap into business ownership was not only about brand passion, but also about the mentorship she found within the studio owner network. “One of the most prominent themes in my journey with barre3 is the power of being surrounded by strong female leaders and entrepreneurs. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by supportive role models.”
Translating Skills into Success
When starting to explore studio ownership, prospective owners often worry that they don’t have a “traditional” business background, but Lindsay’s story proves that leadership is a transferable skill.
“The most tangible skill I pull from as a studio owner is my previous experience supervising and managing people,” she says. “As a studio owner, you are not only the leader of your team, you also set the tone for the community at large. My professional life before owning a barre3 studio provided many opportunities to refine and define my authentic leadership style, which I return to daily.”
Lindsay also notes that the nature of entrepreneurship requires a specific kind of resilience: “Less obvious skills that have been essential to my success are adaptability and flexibility. As a business owner, the ability to zig and zag depending on the needs of your business is essential.”
A “Living Organization” with Constant Support
If opening a small business sounds like a solitary endeavor, Lindsay’s experience as a barre3 owner tells a different story. Rather than being alone, she is part of a deeply connected ecosystem. She isn’t just managing her team in a vacuum; she is doing so with the robust, constant resources of the barre3 Support Center fueling her studio’s success.
“The Support Center is central to my success as a studio owner,” she adds. “From the instructor development materials to the marketing initiatives, I feel as though I have everything I need to create a strong community. They foster our creativity while ensuring the barre3 brand experience is consistent across all 200+ studios.”
This balance of consistency and creativity is driven by a brand culture that refuses to stay stagnant.
She describes the brand as a “living organization” that refuses to stay stagnant. “I adore the way that barre3 keeps growing and evolving — it’s my favorite thing about the brand. Our training team uses science-backed information to elevate the class experience… It makes me feel as though I’m a part of a living organization that considers learning and changing part of the process.”
The Heart of Ownership: Impacting Lives
For Lindsay, the true “why” behind her studio in Alexandria – Old Town is the impact it has on her clients’ lives outside the four walls of the studio.
“At barre3, we focus on the whole person, and exercise isn’t defined as something that changes the way we look. Instead it’s about getting stronger physically and mentally, and showing up for ourselves.”
She believes the many lessons learned on the mat can be transformative outside of the studio, as well: “When an instructor asks us to ‘find our edge,’ to care for ourselves, or to tune in mindfully to what we need, it allows us to be braver and bolder in our everyday lives. These messages encourage clients to show up as better partners, parents, and friends while emboldening them to advocate for what they need.”
A Look to the Future
Today, Lindsay is using the skills she honed in her student affairs career to lead a different kind of movement — one that redefines what it means to be a successful small business owner and replacing harmful messages with something different.
“Being a studio owner is a chance to show up as a leader in your community — not only by building a welcoming space, but also by cultivating leadership in your team of instructors and staff. It’s an amazing opportunity to join a growing company that is interrupting the typical messages we hear in fitness.”
After a decade in the barre3 world, Lindsay’s story is proof that the lessons learned on the mat — finding your edge and tuning into what you need — are the very things that allow us to be braver and bolder in our lives. If you’ve been looking for the opportunity to build a business that makes a difference in your community, this is your chance. The only thing left to do is decide to show up for yourself the way Lindsay did in 2014 — and see where the journey takes you.
Learn More About barre3 Studio Ownership
If you are a business-minded leader looking to make an impact in the wellness industry, there has never been a better time to join us. Our franchise development team is here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a barre3 studio owner today.
For Lindsay McConnell, the journey to becoming the owner of barre3 Alexandria – Old Town in Virginia didn’t start in a boardroom or a gym. It started in the world of student affairs at George Washington University. As a professional with a background in counseling, Lindsay spent 18 years supporting the student experience — a role that was rewarding but increasingly taxing.
“I found barre3 in 2014,” Lindsay recalls. “I was working in a stressful role in higher education and a colleague encouraged me to join her for a barre3 class. I was hesitant to go at first — I had a lot of preconceived notions of what group fitness was.”
That first class at barre3 Georgetown changed everything. “The instructors and staff made me feel welcome, seen, and as though I belonged.” What began as an outlet for stress soon became a cornerstone of her life.
A Foundation of Strength and Support
As Lindsay transitioned from a dedicated client to a founding instructor at the DC-14th Street studio, she realized that barre3 was more than just a workout; it was a companion through life’s transitions.
“The thing about barre3 that always draws me back is how the community and the workout has been there for me through every life stage. I began barre3 at a time of high professional stress, and it was an outlet for me — a source of joy, connection, and community. Since then, barre3 continues to show up for me — through pregnancies and postpartum, and my most joyous and heartbreaking seasons of life.”
This deep personal connection to the brand is what drives many women to consider franchise ownership. For Lindsay, the leap into business ownership was not only about brand passion, but also about the mentorship she found within the studio owner network. “One of the most prominent themes in my journey with barre3 is the power of being surrounded by strong female leaders and entrepreneurs. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by supportive role models.”
Translating Skills into Success
When starting to explore studio ownership, prospective owners often worry that they don’t have a “traditional” business background, but Lindsay’s story proves that leadership is a transferable skill.
“The most tangible skill I pull from as a studio owner is my previous experience supervising and managing people,” she says. “As a studio owner, you are not only the leader of your team, you also set the tone for the community at large. My professional life before owning a barre3 studio provided many opportunities to refine and define my authentic leadership style, which I return to daily.”
Lindsay also notes that the nature of entrepreneurship requires a specific kind of resilience: “Less obvious skills that have been essential to my success are adaptability and flexibility. As a business owner, the ability to zig and zag depending on the needs of your business is essential.”
A “Living Organization” with Constant Support
If opening a small business sounds like a solitary endeavor, Lindsay’s experience as a barre3 owner tells a different story. Rather than being alone, she is part of a deeply connected ecosystem. She isn’t just managing her team in a vacuum; she is doing so with the robust, constant resources of the barre3 Support Center fueling her studio’s success.
“The Support Center is central to my success as a studio owner,” she adds. “From the instructor development materials to the marketing initiatives, I feel as though I have everything I need to create a strong community. They foster our creativity while ensuring the barre3 brand experience is consistent across all 200+ studios.”
This balance of consistency and creativity is driven by a brand culture that refuses to stay stagnant.
She describes the brand as a “living organization” that refuses to stay stagnant. “I adore the way that barre3 keeps growing and evolving — it’s my favorite thing about the brand. Our training team uses science-backed information to elevate the class experience… It makes me feel as though I’m a part of a living organization that considers learning and changing part of the process.”
The Heart of Ownership: Impacting Lives
For Lindsay, the true “why” behind her studio in Alexandria – Old Town is the impact it has on her clients’ lives outside the four walls of the studio.
“At barre3, we focus on the whole person, and exercise isn’t defined as something that changes the way we look. Instead it’s about getting stronger physically and mentally, and showing up for ourselves.”
She believes the many lessons learned on the mat can be transformative outside of the studio, as well: “When an instructor asks us to ‘find our edge,’ to care for ourselves, or to tune in mindfully to what we need, it allows us to be braver and bolder in our everyday lives. These messages encourage clients to show up as better partners, parents, and friends while emboldening them to advocate for what they need.”
A Look to the Future
Today, Lindsay is using the skills she honed in her student affairs career to lead a different kind of movement — one that redefines what it means to be a successful small business owner and replacing harmful messages with something different.
“Being a studio owner is a chance to show up as a leader in your community — not only by building a welcoming space, but also by cultivating leadership in your team of instructors and staff. It’s an amazing opportunity to join a growing company that is interrupting the typical messages we hear in fitness.”
After a decade in the barre3 world, Lindsay’s story is proof that the lessons learned on the mat — finding your edge and tuning into what you need — are the very things that allow us to be braver and bolder in our lives. If you’ve been looking for the opportunity to build a business that makes a difference in your community, this is your chance. The only thing left to do is decide to show up for yourself the way Lindsay did in 2014 — and see where the journey takes you.
Learn More About barre3 Studio Ownership
If you are a business-minded leader looking to make an impact in the wellness industry, there has never been a better time to join us. Our franchise development team is here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a barre3 studio owner today.
