50 Leading Women: Julie Godfrey

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Julie Godfrey, Owner & Senior Trainer, of The Barre Code Plano. Julie moved to Dallas for a graduate school internship at Texas Instrument and has been pouring into the community ever since! Prior to opening The Barre Code Plano, Julie worked for 11 years in corporate fitness and wellness. Along with 20 years of group fitness instruction she has a wealth of experience from running corporate fitness centers, to working as a Health Coach, to managing corporate wellness programs for Fortune 500 companies. If you haven’t joined The Barre Code Plano for a class, you are truly missing out! Julie and her team have successfully built a community of women who support one another, achieve their goals, and communicate a healthy, positive body image to all. Since joining the Plano Chamber in 2015, Julie has remained consistent and committed to giving back to fellow business leaders. She has since served on the Women’s Division committee for two years and is a graduate of Leadership Plano Class 38. We are thankful to have her heart, passion, and strength in our community!

1. Do you remember your first time attending one of our Women’s Division events?

I remember feeling overwhelmed as a new business owner when I first joined the Plano Chamber. There are so many great programs and sessions for members to attend and initially I felt that I should go to everything, which was not realistic. After I attended my first Women’s Division Luncheon, I felt welcome and then knew where I wanted to dedicate the majority of my time within the Plano Chamber.

2. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

I am a compassionate leader who strives for transformation within my team.  The nature of my business is that most of my team members choose to spend their time working at our studio as their fun, side gig. I appreciate the time they dedicate to The Barre Code community outside of their full-time jobs, school, and families. It’s important for me to provide them with support and ensure that they are happy in their roles so that their lives are enhanced by the time they spend working at TBC.  I challenge my instructors to always strive for improvement and growth, which often requires stepping out of their comfort zones. I like to think that I can often see what they are truly capable of before they realize their full potential, and I make it my goal to help them exceed their own expectations.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

One of the most important decisions I make as a leader is in hiring new team members. Our team has a special bond and dynamic and I strive to bring in new team members who will fit well on our team and not disrupt the special team dynamic that has been established.

4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

My biggest joy is seeing my team members grow, not only professionally, but personally as well.

5. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. After going through the pandemic as a small business owner, it really put things into perspective. There are always going to be bumps in the road and it’s from those bumps that we often learn and grow the most.

6. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Know your worth and trust your gut.  I remember in the earlier days of my career, I would often sit back and let the loudest voices in the room be heard. Through experience, I have gained the confidence to let my voice be heard when I have something of value to contribute. This has helped me to grow tremendously as a leader and I wish I would have trusted myself more to speak up much earlier in my career.

7. What do you want to be remembered for? 

I want to be remembered for the special community that has been built at The Barre Code Plano. We have the most supportive group of women who come together each day to promote body positivity and female empowerment.  Our community has helped women to get through some