Jaclyn Haddow’s career has always been a reflection of inner passions. That alignment allowed her to move from the fitness industry into a successful 16-year career in medical aesthetic sales without missing a beat. But after a personal turning point at age 39, she decided to step away from the corporate ladder to "design a life" that actually balanced her professional drive with her personal time.

As a consultant with a deep network of local women, Haddow knew she wanted a secondary business that could double as a community hub. She first noticed NEIGHBORHOOD barre on a “Hot 100” franchise list, and the brand immediately stood out for its efficiency and low barriers to entry. Haddow wanted an experienced operations team that would give her the space to flex her own sales and marketing muscles. While the business model made sense, it was the brand's culture and a prime location in downtown Melbourne, Florida, that ultimately sealed the deal.

By combining her industry experience with a proven system, Haddow is building a space where the community she’s spent years fostering in the beauty world can finally connect on the mat. NEIGHBORHOOD barre Melbourne is slated to open this May. For Haddow, this is more than a business; it’s a safe space for local women and a way to show her children that it’s never too late to start fresh.

1851 Franchise sat down with Haddow to discuss her path from aesthetic consulting to franchising and what drew her to NEIGHBORHOOD barre. Here’s what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Jaclyn Haddow: My entire life long, I’ve always sought out jobs and careers for things that I have fallen in love with. For example, when I was a teenager, I worked in the mall because I love clothes, before getting into health and fitness in my early 20s as a personal trainer. This was before Instagram; I would go out and buy fitness magazines, read them, and get really into it. Then I got really into beauty and aesthetics, so for the last 16 years, that's been my life. I've been in medical aesthetic sales, leading to this journey. I have my own aesthetic consulting business and a vast network of women, and I wanted to have another passion project that I could have as a business and really create that ultimate girl gang.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Haddow: Why I chose franchising is because, for me, it was a secondary business and I really wanted the help. My thought was the franchise fee would be equivalent to hiring a manager for one year, so it was worth the cost for a marketing team, everything's plug-and-play, etc. I really just need to hire some instructors, and I'm in sales and marketing. Even though royalties sometimes scare people away, the benefit of having that whole team behind you as a small business owner was worth it.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Haddow: I definitely had a perception, especially in the aesthetic world, because that's where I really know that industry inside and out. For something like that, I wouldn't need a franchise because you kind of think of it as a little bit of a hoax—they're going to make all the money, and you're not going to make any. But when I really read through the disclosures and number crunching, the math was “mathing” in this genre, and it really made sense for me. I can do the part that I can do, which is sales and marketing, and I had the girl gang already fostered. They are doing their expert side of it.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Haddow: I saw a post about the best franchises to buy into under $100,000, and I found NEIGHBORHOOD barre. I spent the whole night looking on Instagram and I loved the personality and the culture of this brand and just wanted to be part of it. I feel like I've always been in very female-driven industries, and I love that about it. I just really loved the branding behind it and thought it really fit well with me, my beliefs, and my personal network.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Haddow: I keep telling my corporate team at the franchise that I want to open three locations. This is number one, and I hope to open another one by the next year and a half. I already have my areas in Brevard County picked out.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Haddow: On my 39th birthday, I changed my whole life. I was married for 11 years with my two beautiful children, but I decided I wanted a whole new life. My marriage wasn't working out, so I got divorced, left my full-time job, and started my own consulting business. As soon as my consulting business took off, I opened up this. I just created this life by design, thought about how I wanted to spend my days, and asked myself what I could do to make a living, have fun, and be successful doing what I like to do. I just started rolling out the plan with this relentless delusion of "I'm going to do it and I'm going to win at it." And I've just been winning ever since.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Haddow: My advice would be to make sure that you have a team of people and good support around you. Especially for somebody like me who is keeping a full-time job and still trying to do this big feat at the same time, it has been difficult. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do all the things and let the team help you. When the franchise lead trainer asks, "Do you want me to contact your instructors?" I say yes. I take any help they're willing to do for me.