When Kamille McCollum, the president and co-founder of BODYBAR Pilates, set out to find a digital marketing partner for her franchise network, she wasn’t just looking for someone to run ads; she was looking for someone who actually cared.
Like any growing franchisor, BODYBAR had options. After evaluating three or four digital marketing agencies, one stood out from the rest: UpSwell. Not because of flashy pitches or impressive national spend numbers, but because of something simpler and harder to find. They had a genuine focus on the local business owner.
“It wasn’t all about the national ad spend,” explained McCollum. “It’s more about, OK, what does this market need? What is going to help drive customers to this local business?”
That local-first mindset resonated deeply with the BODYBAR way of doing things. Pilates is personal. Community matters. And for a franchise built on connection and wellness, having a marketing partner that understood the heartbeat of each individual studio location made all the difference.
What started as a vendor evaluation quickly evolved into something that felt far more like a family. McCollum describes the UpSwell team as a true extension of the BODYBAR brand — responsive, attentive and genuinely invested in owner success. A quick email gets a quick reply. Feedback from studio owners gets heard and acted on. When something isn’t working the conversation isn’t deflected, but welcomed.
“ They truly listen to our owners,” said McCollum. “Like, this verbiage isn’t working. What can we do differently?” That kind of honest, collaborative dialogue is exactly what sets a real partnership apart from a transactional one.
For BODYBAR Pilates, UpSwell isn’t just a vendor on a preferred list. They’re proof that the right partner doesn’t just amplify your marketing — they amplify your mission.
