Sadie Lincoln on barre3's Post-COVID Future with Guy Raz | How I Built This | NPR

Transcript

hmm sorry about that hello welcome to how I built this resilience Edition I was just doing the most NPR thing which is eating my homemade yogurt with puffed quinoa this fellas men you've been talking to founders and entrepreneurs about Heather coping with these uncertain economic times in the box next to me is our friend Sadie Lincoln she's the fou... Read More

Summary

In this video, Sadie Lincoln, the founder of barre3, a fitness company with over 150 studios, discusses how her company is coping with the uncertain economic times caused by COVID-19. She talks about the challenges faced by the fitness industry and how they pivoted to a virtual model. She also touches upon the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on her leadership and the importance of holding space for difficult conversations. Lincoln reflects on the lessons learned during this time and expresses optimism for the future.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has barre3 coped with the economic impact of COVID-19?

Barre3 faced significant challenges when their studios had to close due to the pandemic. However, within 24 hours, they decided to open a virtual studio and began offering livestream classes from their instructors' homes. This decision allowed them to stay connected with their community and maintain 90% of their pre-COVID revenue in some studios.

Q: Are all barre3 locations open?

No, currently only about 30% of barre3 studios are open. The remaining 70% are still closed due to the pandemic. The decision to reopen is made by each franchise owner, based on the restrictions in their respective states.

Q: How did barre3 transition to a virtual model?

Barre3 had to make adjustments to their premium brand and let go of the beautiful production value they were known for. Instructors now teach classes via Zoom or Instagram Live from their homes, creating a more intimate and authentic experience. They discovered that their community valued the connection with their instructor more than the production quality.

Q: Has barre3 seen an increase in sign-ups for their virtual classes?

Yes, barre3 experienced a spike in sign-ups for their virtual classes. The shift towards at-home workouts during the quarantine period and the recognition of the importance of self-care led to increased subscriptions to their online streaming service.

Q: Do you think the future of fitness will be virtual or a hybrid of virtual and in-person?

Sadie Lincoln believes that humans crave connection and being together. While virtual workouts have proven to be convenient and accessible, the in-person experience offers an empowering physical and social experience that fights loneliness. Hence, she sees a future that includes both virtual and in-person fitness experiences.

Q: How has Sadie Lincoln grown as a leader during this time?

Sadie Lincoln acknowledges that leadership requires continuous learning and being a student. She emphasizes the importance of being open to new knowledge and perspectives, especially during this time of social uprising. She has been actively engaging with her team and community, participating in circle leadership conversations to create a safe space for open and honest discussions.

Q: How has barre3 addressed racial justice within their organization?

Barre3 has been prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. They have implemented circle leadership practices to facilitate open conversations around race. They have also started a voluntary book club focused on discussions related to race. Additionally, they are examining how to lower the cost of building out their studios to support broader access to their services.

Q: In the face of the multiple crises happening, what lessons does Sadie Lincoln hope to take away from this moment?

Sadie Lincoln hopes to remember that "we can do hard things" and that this challenging period can lead to greatness and positive change. She sees this moment as an opportunity for growth, learning, and building a sustainable future. She wants to create a stronger value system for her own company, barre3, and hopes to contribute to a better future for her children, employees, and community.

Takeaways

This video highlighted the resilience of barre3 in adapting to the challenges brought on by COVID-19. It showcased their quick pivot to a virtual model and the success they achieved in staying connected with their community. It also emphasized the importance of holding difficult conversations around racial justice and the need for continuous learning and growth as a leader. The key takeaway is to embrace change and challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.