Hi Barrerinas,

It’s been a year and a half since I sold our Singapore barre studio, and I finally feel ready to share my story.

When we first opened Barre 2 Barre Singapore, I couldn’t have imagined how much this journey would shape me as a teacher, an entrepreneur, and a person. What started as a love for mindful movement became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life.

The Beginning

I first came to Barre 2 Barre as a client in Hong Kong. I loved it so much that I couldn’t stop talking about it – the classes, the community, the feeling after each pulse and hold. That enthusiasm grew into a vision to bring the same mindful, joy-filled experience to Singapore. After many chats over coffee and a few serious meetings (including creating and role-playing a worst-case-scenario partners’ agreement, which I highly recommend before starting any business partnership), I finally convinced Karen Lim and Mylène Mackay, who founded Barre 2 Barre Hong Kong, to expand into a second studio when Mylène serendipitously moved to Singapore in 2015.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Between sourcing tiles and curating playlists, designing our barre teacher training program, and building community, we wore every hat imaginable. Founders, teachers, designers, cleaners, accountants – sometimes all before lunch.

We had a clear vision: to bring the heart, integrity, and precision of Barre 2 Barre Hong Kong to Singapore. Mylène and I poured ourselves into building a space that reflected everything we loved about barre: strength, stillness, and connection.

We hired Barbara from Make Room Singapore to design the space and brought on Indra, a contractor connected through Karen’s brother’s friend, to bring it all to life. Every detail mattered, from the polished wood floors to the calming bathroom and vanity space to the cozy lounge that invited conversation and community.

42 Hongkong Street

In 2016, we opened our doors on 42 Hongkong Street, an address that felt like a wink from the universe, a nod to our Hong Kong roots and the next chapter in our story. We created a space that felt like home, a continuation of the warmth, connection, and energy that began in Hong Kong.

Classes were packed. Friendships blossomed between clients, teachers, and staff. We held social events, charity fundraisers, and collaborations with fellow entrepreneurs that deepened our community ties. The early years felt electric, full of joy, creativity, and purpose.

After three beautiful years, we naturally grew into a larger space with two studios so we could host simultaneous classes. Our new home on 3 Pickering Street gave us double the capacity. It was the perfect stage for innovation. Classes like Barre + Bounce (rebounding on a trampoline) added a fresh layer of fun and strength to the way we moved together.

The Challenge

By 2019, I was juggling two big roles: studio owner and CFO at Seriously Keto, a bakery founded by a family friend. Life was full, fulfilling yes, but also stretching me in every direction.

And then, the world paused.

COVID hit hard. Like so many small businesses, we were pushed to the edge. I taught non-stop, trimmed every possible cost, and did my best to keep our team afloat, all while navigating life as a new mother. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. Studio revenue dropped overnight. To keep things afloat, I reduced staff salaries by 20 percent, cut my own pay by half, and eventually to zero. Some teachers left, others stayed, and through it all, I did everything I could to keep the doors open and the lights on.

There were days when it felt impossible. Lockdowns meant teaching online classes from my living room with a newborn at home. Even when restrictions were lifted, our group sizes were capped so small that breaking even felt out of reach. Rent continued despite government mandates, and our landlord offered little flexibility. We were losing money month after month, and the weight of it all felt too heavy to carry at times.

At one point, I had two business plans on the table: close the studio completely or keep it running at a loss until I could recover. Closing would have meant paying more than a hundred thousand in closure costs, but staying open meant taking on more debt.

In the end, a small act of grace shifted everything. Our neighbouring tenant took over one of our units and allowed us to leave our mirrors and barres in place. That decision saved us from paying reinstatement costs and gave us breathing room to focus on recovery.

The Turning Point

A year later, hope began to return. We received government funding through ActiveSG to produce online barre videos for their platform. Every dollar earned went straight toward paying off debt. Within a year, we broke even. By the next, we were finally cash-flow positive again.

By that point, I knew it was time for the next chapter. I wanted to grow my family and create more space in my life. So I began searching for someone who could carry the physical studio forward. It took a year of negotiations and countless meetings, from investors who wanted partial ownership to others new to the fitness world, before I finally found the right buyer.

In March 2024, the sale was complete. The studio was in good hands, and the Barre 2 Barre brand remained with Mylène, Karen, and me. The process was emotional, a mix of relief, gratitude, and pride. Letting go wasn’t easy, but it felt right.

A New Flow

Even after selling the Singapore studio, our partnership never stopped. The three of us continued exploring what Barre 2 Barre could look like in this new era, one not bound by walls or geography.

Over the past year, we’ve studied the changing landscape, we signed on with a business coach to help us navigate all the new stuff. We are refining our teacher training programs, and dreaming bigger about what community could mean in a global context.

Now, in 2025, that vision is crystallizing. Our focus has shifted more towards Barre 2 Barre Academy – barre training, mentorship programs, and retreats designed to connect barre lovers and teachers around the world. Our on-demand and livestream classes remain a way to keep moving from home, but we’re equally excited about creating in-person experiences again, where connections can deepen within our community of barre lovers.

The business may look different now, but at its heart, it is still the same: movement with purpose, connection with joy, and growth with grace.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey – our teachers, students, partners, and supporters. You’ve shaped the soul of Barre 2 Barre and made it what it is today.

We can’t wait to meet you, wherever you are in the world, and move together again.

With love and light,

Jessica
Co-Founder, Barre 2 Barre