Today we’d like to introduce you to Ainsley Hightower.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from North Mississippi, graduated from Ole Miss in journalism and worked for magazines in Florida and Nashville before I met my now husband who, being from Germantown, talked me into accepting a marketing role with ALSAC/St. Jude and moving to Memphis in 2013. Stayed in non-profit marketing and event planning for 8 years. During this time, I was a health coach as a side hustle– have always had a passion for health and wellness and it felt like a needed creative outlet at the time since I had joined the corporate space. I also had two little boys and was beginning to see the need for more flexibility in my day that the office lifestyle didn’t allow for. A friend and former colleague reached out and asked if I’d be interested in trying barre– she’d followed my health coaching business, and as an instructor at Neighborhood Barre Memphis she thought it would be a good fit. The owner then asked if I would train as an instructor, which I did in 2019, and began teaching 3 classes a week at the studio. Teaching was and still is my favorite part of the week! My 3rd son was born in 2022 and he was just 5 months old when I felt my soul stirring to take on a new challenge. I signed up for a yoga teacher training course with Sana Yoga (shoutout to my yogis!) and this is where my future really changed direction. During this 3 month course, I really felt the noise in my head quiet down and began to really get to know the new me post marriage and 3 children. It was during this time I began to think about opening my own studio and doing what I loved all the time, sharing it with others. It was a pipe dream and completely illogical given my current phase of life but a dream nonetheless that I put on a shelf to think more about later. Ironically, just a few weeks later, the owner of Neighborhood Barre Memphis at the time sat down and told me she was selling the studio, and she wanted me to be the new owner. I laughed! I had a 7 month old baby, and 6 and 4 year old little boys at home. I told my husband, and though he was confident in my ability, he agreed– why would i take on more responsibility and stress when already so short-handed at home? But not 2 months later, the owner came back to me and made me an offer I couldn’t resist. My husband said we had to at least try– a business you already love doesn’t land in your lap every day. So we did. I took over as the owner of Neighborhood Barre Memphis in May 2023, and the rest is history!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes and no. When we took over the studio, there was no profit being made. But this didn’t scare me because all I saw was opportunity! The first year was one constant hustle. The studio needed so many things but I knew if I focused on getting the right people inside, they’d never want to leave. And I was right. I had a core group of instructors who been around a long time and wanted me to succeed. I got really lucky with the passion they have for our space, and they made all the difference in our sucess. Our numbers grew. I hired and trained new instructors to add new classes and formats to our schedule. We ended that first year with the highest membership number to date and were still having fun. Felt like a good sign!
The biggest struggles have been at the intersection of my personal and professional life. I assume this is true for most female business owners. Thankfully I have a husband who is a true partner, loves to see me succeed, and has the flexibility in his schedule to help out with the boys when needed. But i experience lots of mom guilt, even to this day, when I’m working on my laptop and they’re asking to play, or I’m not there when they wake up because I’m teaching an early class. Ultimately I know this is a good thing for the long game, that they’ll grow up into men who are accustomed to celebrating and supporting successful women, and the importance of prioritizing their health and wellness
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own a boutique fitness studio that specializes in low-impact barre workouts. We offer 10 class formats, including classic barre practice, strength classes, HIIT classes, reformer-board based classes, and hybrid classes combing the 4. We do barre like no other! From the chic studio to the boppin’ playlists to our well-trained, friendly and FUN instructors, the whole class at Neighborhood Barre is a FUN experience from the moment you step inside to the moment you leave. Our workouts are for EVERY body– new to fitness, every age, prenatal or recovering from injury, advanced athletes etc. My instructors go through extensive training and continuing education annually to best train our clients, and my girls have a TRUE passion for it.
Our community of women is also unparalleled. Clients truly become friends with one another. We have happy hour after classes and celebrate milestones. Sure, you can drop in for a class and leave without speaking to anyone if that is your speed. But you can also meet your new best friend at our studio. And the choice is YOURS.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I don’t know how to eloquently say this, but when I decide I want something to happen, it just does. I have complete confidence that I can figure out a way to break down a goal and make it reality. I know that sounds pretty Polly Anna of me, but the determination has served me well. In my current role, asking for help and delegating responsibility/not being a control. My brain can only hold so much, especially with three little people I’m responsible for at home! I trust my instructors and the training and expertise they have, and depend on them to keep the studio at a high level of excellence. I also would not have had even a half the success I have without my studio manager and lead instructor, Katelyn Caufield. She has become one of my closest friends and her ability to read my mind and needs is uncanny. Katelyn brings with her almost a decade of experience in the industry and the amazing ability of hyping ANYONE up and hiring her into this role is the very best business decision i have made or will make!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neighborhoodbarre.com/buy/memphis/?_mt=%2Fbuy%2F48729
- Instagram: @neighborhoodbarrememphis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodbarrememphis
