In an industry where growth often focuses on numbers and margins, Stephanie Altenburger has built her reputation around something less tangible but equally powerful. As founder and chief executive of Thrive Venture Group, she oversees a network of 28 Orangetheory Fitness studios and three Restore Hyper Wellness locations. At the center of that growth is a leadership philosophy that places people, culture, and accountability at the heart of the business.
Altenburger’s path into franchising began early. At just 15, she took her first job at Jamba Juice and quickly distinguished herself as a natural leader. By the age of 17, she had become the youngest general manager in the company’s history. The experience shaped her confidence and perspective on leadership. “I took ownership of the store and saw the only limits were the ones I placed on myself,” she recalls.
Her performance caught the attention of company leadership and eventually led to a management opportunity at Club One Fitness in San Jose. But Altenburger’s ambitions extended beyond management roles. Determined to introduce a new fitness concept to Northeast Ohio, she discovered Orangetheory Fitness and saw an opportunity that both excited and intimidated her. Despite initial concerns about franchising, she and her husband, Kurt, made a decisive move by investing their life savings into the venture. “It was a big risk,” she says. “If this doesn’t work, we lose everything. If it does work, everything we envisioned will become possible.”
The gamble paid off. Over the years, Altenburger expanded her footprint into one of the largest Orangetheory platforms in her region, supported by more than 300 team members. At Thrive Venture Group, daily communication, mentorship, and transparency have become defining elements of the company culture. Altenburger believes leadership is built through example and consistent engagement with employees at every level.
Even as the business grows, she acknowledges the challenges that come with scaling. Maintaining a culture of care across multiple locations requires constant attention and intentional leadership. With plans to reach a 40 studio milestone, Altenburger remains focused not only on expansion but also on strengthening leadership within the organization.
For Altenburger, success is measured by more than studio counts or revenue. Her vision centers on building an organization where employees grow into leaders and communities benefit from a supportive fitness environment. “It’s not just about growth in size but in leadership and impact,” she says, reflecting the philosophy that continues to guide Thrive Venture Group’s next chapter.
