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When people think about franchising, they usually think about the practical side of running a business: the proven systems, the operations manual, the marketing support, and the playbook for success. Those things are important, but they're only part of the equation. The best franchise owners know that, while systems help you run a business, it's community that helps you grow it.

Sadie Lincoln, co-founder of the workout sensation Barre3, shares on the Entreprenista Podcast that community has always been at the heart of her business model. Long before Barre3 became a franchise with hundreds of studios, it started as something personal. When Lincoln opened the first Barre3 studio in 2008, she set out to create the kind of community she felt was missing in her own life. "I opened Barre3 based on what I was longing for," she shared on the Entreprenista podcast. "I wanted community and a real sense of connection around being a mom." As the business grew, that same belief in connection became the foundation of the franchise itself.

Lincoln always intended to franchise the business. Today, Barre3 has grown to more than 200 studios, all owned and operated by women. Instead of taking on private equity, Lincoln chose to grow alongside franchise owners who believed in the brand and wanted to build something meaningful in their own communities. "What I love about franchising as a growth strategy is that your financial partners are running the business."

For Lincoln, franchising was never just a way to expand. It was a way to empower local entrepreneurs. The franchise provides the systems, training, branding, and operational knowledge. Owners provide what no corporate office ever could: authentic relationships in their communities. As Lincoln puts it, "You franchise to leverage systems and processes in the brand so that you can focus on relationships in your community."

That philosophy also shapes how she thinks about marketing. Instead of relying only on digital ads, she encourages owners to become visible in the communities they serve. One of her favorite early stories is hiring a face painter at a neighborhood park where families gathered. It wasn't intended to be a campaign. It was simply an opportunity to meet people, start conversations, and invite them into the studio. "I really believe in hitting the pavement and building relationships authentically in the community that you serve," Lincoln says. "Nothing beats a relationship."

This lesson extends beyond attracting customers. Owning a business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating. The best franchise owners don't just build community for their clients. They intentionally build community for themselves. Whether they are learning from fellow franchisees, connecting with local business owners, or joining entrepreneurial networks outside their franchise system, business owners often find that relationships are one of their most valuable resources.

Lincoln has experienced leaning on community firsthand. "There is so much power in surrounding yourself with successful women," she says. "I really believe you can't be it until you see it." Being surrounded by ambitious entrepreneurs expands business owners' thinking. It provides fresh ideas, honest feedback, and the confidence that comes from learning alongside people who genuinely want to see each other succeed.

Perhaps that's why Lincoln says her biggest business secret is surprisingly simple: building authentic relationships. For franchise owners, that's advice worth remembering. The franchise system can provide a blueprint, but what is most important are the relationships built with customers, fellow business owners, mentors, and peers. The strongest businesses aren't built alone. They're built in community