# Barre3: Sadie Lincoln

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-09-11
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=0) Introduction: Sadie Lincoln and Barre3
- [3:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=187) Lincoln's unconventional upbringing and early career at 24 Hour Fitness
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=611) Health crisis and the decision to leave corporate fitness
- [14:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=886) Selling assets and moving to Portland with Mark Mastrov's investment
- [17:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=1072) Designing the Barre3 concept and opening the first studio
- [23:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=1403) Scaling through franchising and avoiding institutional money
- [32:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=1924) Navigating celebrity status and pausing growth to protect culture
- [43:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-09-11-barre3-sadie-lincoln#t=2595) Postscript: Matt and Corey Wallace creating Chups Ketchup

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Barre3 (product)
- 24 Hour Fitness (company)
- Mark Mastrov (other)
- Core Fusion (company)
- Physique 57 (company)
- Pure Barre (company)
- Chups (product)
- Whole Foods (company)

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- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)
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## Citing this page

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