Valencia Hagos built a team and business that thrives on a collective commitment to Bodybar’s brand vision
Valencia Hagos needed to make a pivot. After spending over a decade working in the federal government, she experienced a life-changing event, and that led her to step away from work for a bit.
During the time off, she started doing Pilates. Hagos had never done the now-surging fitness modality, but one day took up a friend’s offer to attend a class.
There, she found two things: a fitness modality she genuinely enjoyed and something she knew she could take with her upon reentering the workforce.
“I liked it, and I was looking for ways to invest,” Hagos recalled. “Bodybar popped up on my algorithm…I went to meet the team, I connected with (Tori Mudge), and it flourished into something.”
Bodybar Pilates is one of the industry’s fastest-growing Pilates brands, having reached the 150 location mark this year, including the one run by Hagos in Pearland, Texas.
While her studio is less than a year old, it already represents one of Bodybar’s most promising. To keep it humming, Hagos is leaning in on her own authenticity, building a strong community and staff.
Culture Comes From Within
Although Hagos’ past work experiences took place outside of the fitness industry, she still leverages them to her advantage with Bodybar. Her team-building instinct stands out above all else.
“I’ve always been in a team setting,” she said. “Going into it with that perspective helps a lot because I’m always thinking about my team. … Making sure that we’re a community amongst each other, and it shows whenever our members are coming in — they can see the relationships that we have.”
Hagos noted that finding team members that fit well with what she’s established — a collective desire to work hard, an emphasis on community and true belief in the brand — can be a difficult task, but her earnestness and transparency are key attributes in helping her accomplish it.
“I show up as myself…I communicate where we are, where I want to be and what my desires are,” she said. “I’m very open. I’m very honest. I’m approachable.”
It’s also an important aspect of franchising to nail. Hagos mentioned assembling like-minded, motivated individuals as her main advice to new Bodybar franchisees.
“Find your core, your studio manager and your fitness manager,” she said. “They are your people. They believe in the vision just like you…We’re successful as a whole because it’s not just about the owner, it’s about everyone here.”
Creating Community Among Members
Hagos brings a similar approach when looking to create culture and community among her members.
“I try to remember their names if they have children,” she said. “I try to remember their children’s names, or at least know if they have a girl or a boy. I have certain members who will tell me, ‘Hey, Val, I reach my 100 class next Tuesday at 10 o’clock. Can you be there?’ So, I’ll put it in my calendar to make sure I’m here. I try to just show up, show up as me and support.”
Hagos credits much of her success to this welcoming approach, which sometimes even extends beyond the studio and to non-members. Hagos’ Bodybar often hosts Mat Events, which are free, community-focused classes with local partners.
“We try to get out in our community as much as possible,” she said. “I think it’s helping, just putting myself out there in the community, trying to make sure that Bobybar, Shadow Creek becomes a community versus just another Pilates studio in the middle of Pearland Town Center.”
Hagos also joined her area’s chamber of commerce, where she tries to attend all events. She’s also participated in a few golf tournaments and sponsored schools to further engrain her Bodybar within the community.
Support From All Angles
But while Hagos maintains a strong idea of what she wants her operation to look like, she’s not above following Bodybar’s franchisee playbook. As a newcomer to the industry, Hagos especially welcomed Bodybar’s initial help to set things up.
“We were having weekly meetings because we’re trying to figure it out,” she said. “We’re trying to make sure we pick the right location and all those things.”
She still leverages the assistance provided by Bodybar HQ today, even with a highly functioning branch up and running.
“They give me tips on how to grow my team, how to keep my team and talk about attrition,” she said. “They’re still very much involved with helping us succeed as owners.”
Even though both sides have deemed the weekly meetings unnecessary at this point, there’s still an open line of communication.
“They are an email away,” Hagos said. “They have emails that go to a team, so it’s one individual that you’re emailing, and somebody will respond to you. They’re very responsive. They’re very helpful. I can get them on a call if I need to discuss whatever issues I’m having.”
Hagos noted she’ll often sync with other Bodybar owners as well. She appreciates the shared desire between franchisees to assist and uplift each other.
“They will sign up for me for an hour if I need them to,” she said. “They’ll do that just to discuss where I’m at, how I’m feeling or what I need help with.”
Hagos mentioned that she has expansion goals on the horizon, but identified maintaining a welcoming environment that represents Bodybar well as her main short-term goal for the future.
