Hardware Podcasts

Barre3: Sadie Lincoln

How I Built This · 11 Sept 2017 · 48m

What this episode covers

Sadie Lincoln, founder of Barre3, explains how she and her husband Chris transitioned from high-level corporate roles at 24 Hour Fitness to launching a boutique fitness franchise in Portland. They sold their home and possessions to fund the first studio, relying on a small investment from former boss Mark Mastrov and their own savings to test a model that prioritized community and instructor autonomy over rigid methodology. Lincoln details the decision to franchise immediately to avoid institutional capital, the physical toll of teaching 19 classes a week, and the strategic choice to pause expansion to protect the company's culture and values rather than pursuing a high-value exit.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
24 Hour Fitness, Core Fusion, Physique 57, Pure Barre, Whole Foods
Products
Barre3, Chups
Also
Mark Mastrov

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