Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Quinkert.
Stacy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and grew up in Northern California. As a kid, I was always dancing, singing & performing. It was my dream to take that love of performing to New York City and study at NYU. I remember when my mom and I said goodbye at my dorm in Washington Square Park, I felt a wave of terror and exhilaration wash over me. It hit me that I was on my own in New York City. Those next few years there would be some of the most special and important years for me. I learned from the greatest teachers, met my chosen family and lifelong friends, and soaked up all the city had to offer.
After college, I continued performing, but I also began teaching children’s ballet. It was then that I discovered a love for teaching that I didn’t know was there. I met my incredible husband, Greg, during that time and we mutually decided we were ready for a change of scenery. Arriving in LA I felt a similar wave of terror and exhilaration wash over me. Starting fresh felt scary but much more exciting. It was a slow burn for me here and I had years of many ups and downs. I felt lost at times and didn’t know where I fit. My acting career was not where I “thought it would be” and I was feeling disenchanted and stuck.
During this time, one of my friends from NYU told me about barre fitness. I had never tried it but was very curious. I took my first class and that was it. I was HOOKED. Soon after I auditioned and trained to become a barre instructor and have been teaching barre ever since. Teaching barre completely changed the course of my life. After teaching for a few years and feeling thrilled by this new passion, Greg and I were interested in taking this love of barre and teaching to the next level and looked into Franchising opportunities. We looked into different opportunities but just didn’t find the right fit.
Then, I found Pure Barre. It wasn’t until I found Pure Barre that I was truly home. The brand drew me in immediately and is not only the most challenging barre workout I’ve ever done or taught but it is a powerful community made up of incredible, strong people who lift each other up. I instantly connected with the owners and team and community and was hired at Pure Barre Woodland Hills. I was working the front desk, managing the schedule, teaching and growing more and more connected with the space and people in it.
I’ll never forget the day one of the owners called me and said: “This might sound crazy but do you want to buy the studio?” I had full-body chills, tears in my eyes and nothing had sounded LESS crazy to me. I immediately said yes and my life has never been the same since. It took eight months to acquire the business and officially transfer ownership and I celebrated two years as a business owner this past December. Nothing could have ever prepared me for what goes into keeping a business running, open, and thriving and I’ve learned more in these past few years than I have in a lifetime.
Along with managing a team, running payroll, filing business taxes, scheduling, retail, planning events, and more, I’ve learned that life doesn’t always look like how you thought it would. This doesn’t mean you’re not on the right path. It just means the path is never a straight line. If you’re not open, you could miss some of the most beautiful twists and turns and scenery. I’m so grateful for this adventure and continue to learn and grow every step of the way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but I’m grateful for the bumps in the road. It’s those bumps that truly shape you. How can you appreciate the highs without the lows? Those tough moments and seasons provide you with perspective. It was truly a struggle to feel as though I was changing courses when I went into fitness and ultimately into the business of fitness. However, everything in my past has led me to this. All my experiences and jobs and successes and failures inform how I run my business every day.
I’m new to business so the struggles are endless, but so are the lessons. I’m grateful for my growth mindset. Even when I have a failure or setback or I make a mistake, I’m excited to learn from it and be better. That passion for learning gets me out of bed every day, along with my clients and team members. On my darkest days, it’s the people that make up Pure Barre Woodland Hills that get me going. They are the heart and soul of my business and I’m truly blessed to have them in my life.
Pure Barre Woodland Hills – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Pure Barre Woodland Hills is a boutique barre fitness studio. Pure Barre is a musically driven, total body workout focused on low-impact, high-intensity movements designed to strengthen and tone muscles. It’s very safe, very challenging and so much fun! In just 50 minutes, you work your entire body. Pure Barre is not only super-efficient, but it’s something you can do long term.
We change the choreography every quarter so your body never plateaus. Another major benefit of Pure Barre is the mental component. It is such a challenging workout that you can really only focus on what you’re doing in class. So for those 50 minutes, you are mindfully moving through the choreography and pushing yourself to your personal limits, not thinking about your grocery list. We call it a moving meditation because your mind is free from the stress of everyday life for your time in class.
Along with unmatched physical and mental benefits, what truly sets us apart is our community. Pure Barre Woodland Hills is filled with the most incredible, special, honest, strong, hilarious, intelligent, interesting, kind and loving people and they make my business what it is. They build each other up, empower one another, show up for each other, and support each other and it’s beyond inspiring. It’s more than just a workout. It’s a very powerful community.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success as the impact you have on others. If you’re able to positively impact others through your work, I believe you are successful. That’s what I strive for every day. I try to create an uplifting, positive and safe environment for people to feel good about themselves.
Pricing:
- New Member Special! 1st 3 Months Discounted! 1st Month 10% Off, 2nd Month 15% Off, 3rd Month 20% Off! (Month to Month Going Forward at $169/Month)
Contact Info:
- Address: 21728 Ventura Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364 - Website: purebarre.com/ca-woodlandhills
- Phone: 818-712-0353
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @purebarrewoodlandhills
- Facebook: @PureBarreWoodlandHills
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pure-barre-woodland-hills-woodland-hills-4
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