This October, Astral celebrates ten years in business — a full decade of growth, grit, and the kind of teamwork that makes something bigger than any one person possible. What started as a small idea to help one studio manage retail has evolved into a national partner serving over a thousand boutique fitness studios across the U.S.
From the beginning, Astral’s purpose has been simple: make retail easier and more rewarding for studios. Over the years, that mission has taken shape through wholesale distribution, curated assortments, private label design, and fulfillment services that allow owners to focus on what they do best — building strong, inspired communities.
But if you ask Founder and CEO Megan Brooks what the real secret to Astral’s success is, she’ll tell you it’s not just about process or product — it’s about evolution.
“There is nothing so limiting as a well-defined strategy,” Megan says. “We’ve grown by being willing to adapt, to listen, and to improve constantly. Staying nimble has always been our greatest advantage.”
2015 — The Beginning
Astral’s story began in October 2015, when Megan, then a barre instructor, overheard a studio owner venting about how hard retail was to manage — from brand minimums to late shipments and unsold inventory. With a background as a Salesforce Solution Architect, Megan was used to finding inefficiencies and building systems to fix them. She saw a gap — and an opportunity.
She launched Astral from her basement in Lexington, Kentucky, determined to make retail easier for studios. Her first pop-up, hosted at Elle Fitness that Thanksgiving, sold out of Kentucky sweatshirts and proved that boutique retail could thrive with the right support.
Not everything went perfectly — her first 500-pair custom sock order was, in her words, “a disaster.” But those early lessons became the foundation of Astral’s philosophy: learn, adapt, and evolve.
2016 — Building the Foundation
Astral outgrew the basement studio. Megan hired her first team members, Allison Herrington and Beth Ann Sebastian, and moved operations into an office on National Avenue. Word spread quickly — within months, Astral was working with nearly ten studios across Kentucky and beyond.
The team began expanding brand partnerships, bringing in lines like Alo Yoga, Chaser, and Kira Grace. What started as a small project to help one studio had officially become a growing business powered by collaboration and care.
2017 — Finding the Model
The company shifted from a consignment-based model to a wholesale approach that allowed for better control and stronger margins for studios. The team added new services — from sourcing and styling to Live Shops, which gave studio owners personalized access to curated collections.
Astral’s role evolved from simple supplier to strategic partner, helping studio owners see retail as a growth engine, not a headache.
2018 — National Recognition
Astral stepped onto the national stage by formalizing its national partnership with Pure Barre , expanding its network to studios across the U.S. and becoming an early boutique fitness retail partner for FP Movement, Free People’s entry point into the Activewear market.
That same year, Astral launched its Private Label services, helping studios create branded merchandise that reflected their unique community. The team moved to Old Vine Street, expanded its office, and brought on new full-time roles in Customer Service, Sales, Finance, and Merchandising — the same core departments that remain at the heart of Astral today.
2019 — Scaling Up
Astral launched its first 3PL (third-party logistics) services, moving the majority of operations to a new warehouse on East Short Street and building systems to manage higher volume without sacrificing quality.
The team also launched a Shopify-powered e-commerce platform and secured national contracts with CorePower Yoga and Xponential Fitness. CorePower Yoga stands as the largest yoga studio brand in the United States, while Xponential Fitness is the parent company of leading franchise concepts such as Club Pilates, Pure Barre, Stretchlab, and Yoga Six. These strategic partnerships established Astral as a trusted operational backbone for studio retail across the country.
It was also the company’s first million-dollar year, a milestone that reflected not just growth, but consistency and excellence.
2020 — Adapting Through Uncertainty
When the pandemic hit in 2020, studios across the country closed their doors — but Astral refused to stand still. Within weeks, the team launched its e-Showroom, a digital platform that allowed studios to shop wholesale online and keep retail running even in lockdown.
The Shop My Studio program helped owners leverage shared inventory and continue generating revenue during closures by selling online to their members. “We exist because retail can be overwhelming,” Megan said, “but it doesn’t have to be. Our job is to remove the hurdles and make success possible, no matter the conditions.”
Through creative thinking and steady leadership, Astral not only survived the shutdowns — it came out stronger, more agile, and more trusted than ever.
2021 — Process and Precision
After the storm, Astral focused on refinement. The team built out a new storage and pick system that allowed multiple brands to be aggregated into a single, perfectly accurate order — driving a 97% next-business-day ship rate.
The company layered in Salesforce.com orchestration, enabling better SKU management, purchase order tracking, and workforce planning. Astral also fully restaffed, upgraded benefits, and invested in its people — reaffirming that operational excellence and culture go hand in hand.
2022 — New Space, New Scale
Astral’s growth demanded more room to grow — literally. The company purchased a 19,000-square-foot facility in central Lexington. This new headquarters increased capacity up to sixfold, added dedicated Live Shop studios, and marked Astral’s transition from startup to powerhouse.
That same year, Megan received the Entrepreneur Award from Commerce Lexington, recognizing her leadership and Astral’s contribution to local job creation and innovation.
The team also saw major performance gains: 3PL processing times improved 80%, even as inbound inventory increased by 70%. Once again, it was a year that proved Astral could scale without losing its commitment to quality.
2023 — Expanding the Toolbox
Astral deepened its service offerings with the launch of its first cut-and-sew line, new photography services, and an Online Outlet for excess inventory.
The company reached a huge milestone — serving 1,000 studios nationwide — while continuing to refine its private label and fulfillment capabilities. The growing portfolio of brands now included Cream Yoga, Thrive Society, and Z-Supply expanding the range of curated products Astral could offer to its partners.
“We’ve always said we have the entire toolbox,” Megan shared. “Because every studio’s needs are different — and we’re here to provide the right tool for every challenge.”
2024 — Innovation in Motion
As Astral approaches its tenth year, the company continues to evolve through innovation and operational efficiency. Recent initiatives include the introduction of flat monthly shipping rates, tiered pricing programs, and an expanded range of studio-branded offerings and services. Internally, a more advanced demand planning process now ensures consistent product availability. New partnerships with Prana, L*Space, and Elwood further strengthen Astral’s brand portfolio.
In May, Astral achieved a record milestone — shipping 2,000 lululemon mats and generating over $200,000 in studio revenue. The accomplishment underscored Astral’s scalability, efficiency, and unwavering commitment to delivering tangible results for its partners.
2025 — Intention and the Next Evolution
As Astral moves into its tenth year, it’s entering an exciting new era. This spring, the company launched Intention by Astral, a thoughtfully designed private label line that captures the essence of quality, comfort, and community.
Later in 2025, Astral opened The CORE Room (Center of Retail Excellence) — a physical and creative space that allows studios and brands to visualize what retail can look like when it’s done right.
Together, these initiatives embody Astral’s continued mission to make studio retail easier, smarter, and more inspiring.
“We’re investing in data, design, and innovation,” Megan says, “but our goal hasn’t changed — to support retail success at the studio level. Every decision we make starts there.”
A Culture Built on Partnership
Through all ten years, one thing has never changed: Astral’s culture of partnership and purpose. The company has donated over $200,000 in clothing to local women’s shelters, supported internships for high school students, and hosted annual Spirit Week events blending education, team-building, and volunteering — from emergency response training to field day games in the parking lot to meal packing for those in need.
It’s this balance of professionalism and heart that makes Astral what it is today — a company built on trust, creativity, and community.
“If what we did was easy, we wouldn’t be in business,” Megan says with a smile. “Our partners trust us because we take the hard parts off their plate. They dream, and we make it happen.”
Looking Ahead
Ten years later, Astral’s mission remains as clear as ever: evolve, simplify, and support. With continued investments in technology, analytics, and private label innovation, Astral is setting the stage for the next decade of retail excellence.
What began as one woman’s idea to make boutique retail easier has become a nationwide community built on trust, collaboration, and shared success.
Here’s to the next ten years of Astral — where partnership, progress, and possibility shine brighter than ever.