Studio Take-outs
In 2024 I made the decision to step away from corporate life and purchase a Barre studio. I wasn’t entirely sure what the experience would look like, but I knew I needed a different rhythm — something more hands-on, more connected, and closer to the way I wanted to work and live.
Running the studio became one of the most formative professional experiences I’ve had.
On the surface, it was about teaching classes, providing movement for my clients, a platform for my Teachers, and running a small business. In reality, it became a daily lesson in community, entrepreneurship and energy — three things that now shape how I approach both work and leadership.
Community looks different when you are responsible for creating it
Whether in a studio or corporate workplace setting, our relationships are built on trust, and trust is built through consistency, presence and genuine care over time. In the studio, those dynamics were simply more visible, and I saw myself responsible for providing a healthy and balanced space for both my teachers and clients alike. I saw first-hand how much people value and choose environments where they feel supported, understood and are enabled to show up as themselves. That experience only strengthened my appreciation for the role thoughtful leadership and strong relationships play in all settings.
Entrepreneurship is both empowering and confronting
Owning a business brings a sense of freedom, and also responsibility and privilege in its most direct form. Every decision carries weight, and every outcome feels personal. It requires resilience, adaptability and the willingness to make decisions without always holding information — skills that translate far beyond a small business environment.
The studio gave me a deep respect for small business owners and the realities owners navigate every day. Balancing vision, sustainability and financial pressure is rarely straightforward, and that perspective continues to shape how I think about commercial decisions today.
Energy is a finite resource
Perhaps the most valuable lesson was understanding how closely energy and performance are connected. Running a studio requires physical, mental and emotional presence every day — not just for yourself, but for the people who rely on you.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson was learning that energy is not an unlimited, infinite resource. Passion can carry us an awful long way, but without clear boundaries and recovery practices in place, even something we love can drain the very energy that drew us to it in the first place.
The studio chapter was never intended to be permanent, but its become incredibly important.
It gave me perspective I wouldn’t have gained otherwise. It challenged my previously formed assumptions about success and helped me think more deliberately about balance, sustainability and the type of professional life I want to build.
Returning to the corporate environment after the studio experience felt different. I found I returned with a deeper appreciation for structure, collaboration and scale — but also with a broader perspective on responsibility, decision-making and the importance of maintaining energy over the long term.
While I’ve stepped away from running the business full-time, I continue to teach part-time at a wonderful studio and community Flolo, facilitate corporate movement sessions and through L’Atelier Flow continue to focus on the intersection of movement, ritual, meaning and connection
Looking back, I now see the studio as one of the most valuable educations I've ever received — an experience that challenged me, shaped me, and ultimately opened doors I could not have anticipated.
If there's an idea you've been quietly carrying around, perhaps this is your sign to experiment. Not every venture needs to become a lifelong pursuit, but every experience has the potential to teach you something valuable about yourself and what's possible.
