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Sarah Smith spent 15 years in corporate America before shifting her focus to building a business centered on movement, health, and community. She was drawn to&nbsp;<a href="https://neighborhoodbarre.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=neighborhood-barre-franchisee-sarah-smith-apex-2732403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NEIGHBORHOOD barre</a> for its low-impact, strength-based method that delivers an effective, sustainable workout rooted in functional movement. Opening in Apex, North Carolina in July/August, her studio will focus on creating an inclusive, results-driven environment for all fitness levels, with on-site childcare designed to support busy families.Smith spoke with 1851 Franchise about her transition into franchise ownership and why she believes&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/extraordinary-brands/info">NEIGHBORHOOD barre</a> is the right fit for Apex. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Sarah Smith:&nbsp;I have worked in corporate America since graduating college about 15 years ago and I was ready for a career change. I've always been into fitness, and when I discovered barre during COVID, I just fell in love with it. I started going to a NEIGHBORHOOD barre studio, and as soon as I walked in, I was like, "This is what we're going to invest in." I started becoming an instructor right away, and I signed the paperwork about six months later to start a franchise.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you? Smith: I've worked in HR and recruitment, then I spent the last five years as a chief of staff in the financial industry. During that time, I also had two young kids close in age, and I started thinking more intentionally about the long-term work I wanted—something aligned with my interests and energy.I wasn’t originally focused on franchising specifically, but when I looked at NEIGHBORHOOD barre, it made a lot of sense. I already had my group fitness certification, I loved the training and structure the franchise model provided, and I was drawn to the idea of building something in the fitness space with a strong support system behind it.Ultimately, it felt like a practical way to step into business ownership in an industry I care deeply about.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?Smith<s>:</s>Before I became a franchisee, I assumed it was rigid and corporate, and not something that would really fit the way I wanted to build a business.Once I actually started learning about it, that changed. I realized it’s really more of a framework — you’re not giving up ownership, you’re getting structure, systems, and support that help you move a lot faster and avoid doing everything from scratch.For me, it started to feel less like ‘franchising vs. independence’ and more like choosing the right kind of support system so you can focus on actually building something strong.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Smith:What drew me to NEIGHBORHOOD barre was the method itself and how aligned it is with where fitness is heading. There’s a clear shift toward low-impact, strength-based training that supports longevity, not just intensity — and barre sits right in that space.It combines isometric strength and functional movement in a way that builds real, sculpted strength without the wear and tear of higher-impact formats.What excites me most is bringing that kind of intentional, sustainable training into a community like Apex, where people are actively looking for workouts that help them feel strong, lean, and supported long-term.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Smith: I've hired seven instructors so far, and we are going to create our own community. It's a very welcoming, warm, challenging environment for people of all walks of life. Apex is a big, growing community, and the number of people moving here is wild. I have wanted to bring something like this to Apex, and I really think it's going to have a huge impact. It's for all ages and all walks of life — working moms, retirees, everyone. I want to create a community and a place where people just love to be.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Smith: We moved to the Raleigh area about eight years ago, and we realized very quickly that Apex was home and we were embraced by the community. Now I feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to it. Being a working mom and creating a studio that caters to women, especially moms, is important to me. We actually have a child care center in my space, and founding members all get unlimited child care built into their rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not all fitness studios can offer this, so we're excited to have that differentiating space. Our town is young, vibrant, and filled with working parents who need somewhere to take their kids, so everyone is welcome.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Smith: The biggest thing I have learned is you might feel like you need to rush into it, but actually slowing things down in the beginning is the best way to go about it. Take your time, get your finances figured out, and make sure that this is the right thing for you. I think so many businesses fail because people jump in headfirst without looking at all the angles. You have to ask, "Is this right for me? Is this right for my community? Is this right with my financials?" Slow down, look at everything, and then decide if it all makes sense.About NEIGHBORHOOD barre:Founded in 2011 by Katy Richardson, NEIGHBORHOOD barre delivers a fresh, modern approach to fitness, one that is welcoming, effective, and rooted in community spirit. With studios across the United States, NEIGHBORHOOD barre combines low-impact, high-result training with an inclusive atmosphere that empowers clients of all fitness levels. For more, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.neighborhoodbarre.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=neighborhood-barre-franchisee-sarah-smith-apex-2732403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.neighborhoodbarre.com</a>.About Extraordinary Brands:Founded by Paul Flick in 2022, Extraordinary Brands is a multi-brand franchisor platform specializing in boutique fitness and wellness concepts. The company empowers entrepreneurs to launch, scale, and grow standout studio brands through a shared services model and operational consistency. Its expanding portfolio now includes CycleBar (indoor cycling), Rumble (boxing-inspired group fitness), Row House (rowing-based HIIT), and NEIGHBORHOOD barre (barre). Extraordinary Brands continues to pursue growth across Pilates, spin, HIIT, barre, and recovery verticals, with a focus on franchisee success and long-term brand revitalization. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.extraordinarybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=neighborhood-barre-franchisee-sarah-smith-apex-2732403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.extraordinarybrands.com</a> to learn more.

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Neighborhood Barre Franchisee Sarah Smith To Open in Apex

1851 Franchise

Driven by a desire for meaningful community impact and a family-friendly business model, Sarah Smith is bringing a highly anticipated boutique fitness studio to her booming North Carolina town.

Working Mom and Former Corporate Chief of Staff Transitions to Business Ownership With NEIGHBORHOOD barre Franchise in Apex, North Carolina

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<a href="https://www.cyclebar.com/franchise">CycleBar</a>, the leading indoor cycling brand under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.extraordinarybrands.com/">Extraordinary Brands</a> umbrella is celebrating two of its franchisees achieving a full decade of wellness in their communities. Their starts in the franchise world looked different, but their experiences share the same core: a genuine care for people, the grit to push through tough times, and a firm belief that boutique fitness is here to stay.<h2>A Leap of Faith Turns Into a 10-Year Legacy in Beachwood</h2><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyclebarjoe">Joe Purton</a> changed course 10 years ago. After nearly two decades in healthcare finance, where he had worked his way into leadership and toward a chief financial officer path, he decided to leave and build something of his own.“I had worked for the organization for close to 20 years, and it really gave me the opportunity to do some soul searching,” Purton said. “I decided that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life behind a desk. I wanted to do something I enjoyed, something I was passionate about, and I wanted to own my own business.”That passion led him to open one of the earliest&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/extraordinary-brands/why-invest-now-2731440">CycleBar</a> studios in the country (just the sixth location systemwide) in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyclebar.com/location/beachwood">Beachwood, Ohio</a>.From the outset, Purton chose franchising. “When I decided to start my own business, I knew I didn't want to start from scratch,” he said. “I wanted something that was more of a plug-and-play type model… something where I could start with a road map that already existed.”Purton’s studio now has around 500 active members, and many have stayed with it since the beginning. As the business has moved through corporate transitions, changes in the category and the strain of the pandemic, he has stayed focused on building and protecting that sense of community.“They really didn't talk a lot about the community that would come out of opening a CycleBar,” he said. “That's one of the most fulfilling and great things that have come out of all of this.”That sense of community proved critical during the pandemic. “We rented out all of our bikes in the studio. People took them to their homes, and then we would film classes every day,” he said. “We kept everybody together while apart.”Now, as he looks ahead, Purton is focused on continued growth and working more strategically within the business. “We're already around 500 members and we want to surpass that,” he said. “I think we could easily get to 700.”Purton was direct about what it takes to make the model work: “Don't expect to be passive. You have to be willing to get your hands dirty and work hard… It will be successful if you put effort into it.”<h2>Revitalizing a Studio and Rebuilding Momentum in Berkeley</h2>While Purton built his studio from the ground up,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/morningstarryan">Ryan Morningstar</a> took a different path — acquiring and revitalizing an existing CycleBar location in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cyclebar.com/location/berkeley">Berkeley, California</a>.After spending 15 years in the tech startup world, Morningstar was ready for something new. “I've been an operator and an entrepreneur in the tech space, growing operational units and teams, so I really care a lot about people, management and culture,” he said. “I felt it was the right time to take on something of my own.”The chance came in 2023, when Morningstar acquired a struggling CycleBar studio. Since taking over, he has lifted revenue 20% year over year and nearly doubled membership.For Morningstar, success starts with a people-first philosophy — something he credits as the foundation of his growth. “Every single time you come to our studio, everyone tries to know your name and what your goals are to serve you to the highest degree,” he said.That focus extends to both members and staff. “Spend time, energy, and focus on your people — everything from hiring to nurturing,” he said. “You have to be a person and care about people and their growth as a whole.”Morningstar also sees franchising as a powerful model for scaling local businesses while maintaining individuality. “It provides this umbrella that has a lot of the tools you need to be successful,” he said, “but it allows you to operate on a micro-level in individual communities.”As the Berkeley studio approaches its 10-year anniversary, Morningstar is thinking ahead to expansion. “I'm already looking now at other opportunities and I think I'll start the next two locations myself,” he said.<h2>A Brand Built on Community, Ownership and Longevity</h2>Beachwood and Berkeley tell a similar story. In both markets, the studios have lasted because their owners stayed involved and built strong local ties.“I’m a big believer in the power of fitness to change lives,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriklein">Lori Klein</a>, president of CycleBar. “I also believe in the power of this business to sustain both the entrepreneurs who invest and the communities they serve. As a leadership team, we remain committed to ensuring our franchisees have the strongest possible foundation to build thriving businesses in the boutique fitness space.”For more information on franchising with CycleBar, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/extraordinary-brands">https://1851franchise.com/extraordinary-brands</a>.

Franchisees Joe Purton and Ryan Morningstar reflect on the power of community, resilience and hands-on ownership in building lasting fitness businesses.

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Working Mom and Former Corporate Chief of Staff Transitions to Business Ownership With NEIGHBORHOOD barre Franchise in Apex, North Carolina

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