The boutique fitness space is growing at an exponential rate — and Pure Barre is leading the way. Founded in 2001, it is now the largest barre-focused chain in North America, with 560 brick-and-mortar studios projected to be open by the end of 2019. Leading the brand into the future is Sarah Luna, who joined as Pure Barre’s President in 2018. Below, she shares a handful of tips for how to serve as an effective leader in a fast-moving industry.
Follow Your Own Path
I grew up with a classic overachiever’s career goal: to become a doctor. However, something happened on my way into the medical field: I wanted a deeper understanding of how the body worked that couldn’t be learned in textbooks. So I decided to get my Pilates certification. That kicked off a real love for the world of wellness. I realized that I could help people in a preventative way through fitness, rather than a reactive way through medicine. That started me on the path I’m still on today.
Find the Right Role Models
Everyone has role models — and often, our original role models are our parents. That was definitely the case for me. My mom and dad are both small business owners. Seeing how they built their businesses from the ground up, with passion and dedication, was an extremely important example for me as I made my way in the business world. Today, my mentor is Anthony Geisler, the CEO of Xponential Fitness. He’s someone who I can always bounce ideas off of or get advice about challenges I’m facing.
Listen & Learn
Some things you learn in school, a lot of things you don’t. The best thing to do when you’re coming into a new work situation is to listen and learn. At Pure Barre, I spent my early days getting to know the culture and common speak of our franchise partners, the staff, and the clients. That was the first step to earning their respect and showing utmost appreciation for what the brand’s overall process was. Going “undercover” helps, too. Before I began my leadership role at Pure Barre, I worked incognito at the front desk of a studio for more than a month. Now, when I talk with franchise partners or their staff, I understand where they’re coming from. I experienced it all myself, from client complaints to leaky toilets.
Have an Open-Door Policy
My door is always open to my teammates. It’s the best way to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s happening on a day-to-day basis. I’m always inviting team members in to chat about everything, from big-picture issues to tiny details. It’s vital that you create that kind of relationship with your employees. It makes them feel comfortable enough to lean on you and use you as a resource when necessary. And you get a lot back in return. Knowing your team’s concerns and challenges is important for knowing how to face them, together.
Be Smart When You’re Hiring
The perfect resume doesn’t mean a potential employee is going to be a perfect fit for your team. I try to recruit based on work ethic, personality, and enthusiasm. If those pieces are there, the rest will fall into place. You can train a skill set. What you can’t train is overall personality and drive. Will this person fit in with the overall company culture? Is this someone we want to run shoulder to shoulder with, day-in and day-out?
Celebrate Success
Pure Barre is an exciting place to work and I genuinely love coming into the office everyday. Both our corporate team and our franchise partners give me so much energy and enthusiasm, week after week. I try to keep those good vibes flowing – and want to make sure everyone else feels them too. A big part of that is recognizing success. Every week I hold a President’s Call. It’s a sort of “state of the union,” where franchise partners can log in to hear what the team has accomplished in the past week. So, when we win, we celebrate and identify the factors that contributed to that win. I’ll often send a note to a team member or franchise partner to let them know how they’ve positively impacted a project. It’s a simple thing, but it’s effective. We want our team to feel seen, to feel a part of something important.
Set an Example
I lead by keeping everyone accountable for their actions — including myself. I try to earn my spot every day. I will work long hours and put in the extra energy necessary to go above and beyond. I have the same expectations for myself as I do for my team. We’re all in this together. At the same time, balancing your personal life with your work life is important as well. Even if you’re working long hours, you have to make sure to fit that piece into the overall puzzle. In order for Pure Barre to be successful, I know I have to lead by example.
Always Look Forward
You’ve got to keep your eye on what’s ahead — and make sure the entire team knows exactly where you’re going. Communicate your vision for the future clearly. In 2019, the boutique fitness space is continuing to explode. I only see the space getting bigger as more and more fitness enthusiasts find the concept that meets their needs, physically, mentally, and economically. As we go forward, it’s key for Pure Barre to continue keeping things fresh for our clients. We change our choreography every 90 days and we’re constantly tweaking workouts to enhance and improve the experience. Boredom isn’t an option – no two workouts are exactly the same.
