Today, we’d like to introduce you to Krissy Graban.
Hi Krissy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Krissy, owner at Neighborhood barre Fuquay Varina. I’m a wife and mom to two amazing kids and one fur child! Although I had no idea at the time, my path to studio ownership started as a teenager. In high school, I was in a car accident that left me with chronic pain. I had been playing tennis for years but needed to find a new way to remain active without increasing pain.
Hesitantly, when in Tennessee with my husband and away from friends and family, I took my first barre class. Not knowing anyone and looking for the joy I had found in sports for years, I signed up for a one-month trial. Fast forward several months, and my pain was the best it had been post-accident and years of PT. When returning home to NC to start a family, I continued taking barre classes regularly.
Opening a barre studio of my own was a dream! After losing my mom and experiencing a miscarriage, I realized there’s never a “right” time, but I knew I wanted to help other ladies the way Barre had helped me. In September 2022, I brought barre to Fuquay Varina, opening its first barre studio, Neighborhood Barre Fuquay Varina. Yes, it’s a fitness studio and people come for a workout, but even before opening, my focus has been on community.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“The struggles I’m facing, the chances I’m taking
Sometimes, it might knock me down, but
No, I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on, ’cause
There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes, I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb” -Miley Cyrus
This song says it well! Owning a business is HARD. Being a mom of 2 young kids is hard. Doing both at the same time- well, it’s not easy. We all have struggles, adversity, and self-doubt. Being able to support other women, provide a safe place and outlet for them during their challenging times, and then celebrate their wins- that makes the tough times manageable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Barre is a low-impact, full-body workout. Although there is a ballet barre, it’s not a dance class (trust me, I’m not a dancer). We use small isometric moves to target those deep, often forgotten muscles. We focus on lengthening and strengthening muscles and on core stability.
Our goal for every set is to get you in the working zone, where you feel the muscles contract and fire up and then stay there moving in one-inch increments to really burn out the targeted muscle group. Your muscles might start to shake, but that is OK- it’s actually great! That is where the magic happens, that is your muscles changing and you getting stronger!
We offer progressions throughout the entire class, so it is truly designed to meet you where you’re at and suitable for every BODY! We have a variety of class formats, all rooted in the foundational barre technique. One of the great things about Barre is although we follow the same format- warm up, thighs, seat, core fusion, abs, cool down you will never take the same class 2 days in a row.
We have a vast library of choreography to pull from, so the class is sure to be different. For this reason, you could take class every day without overworking any particular muscle group. It is also a musically driven workout, so you’re sure to hear some great music which is also always changing.
We also have a retail boutique carrying a variety of athleisure wear. Many items provide the perfect barre-to-street combo, depending on how you style it. You will come for the workout, obviously that’s our primary service. Our hope and goal is that you end up staying for the community. It is so much more than just a workout. It is a community of strong women (men are always welcome) ready to support, motivate and encourage one another.
You will not be a number; you are a person, and we will know your name. We want to know your goals, we want to lift you up on your tough days and celebrate your accomplishments and achievements in and out of the studio. I am proud that nbFV is a place for women to feel supported and encouraged regardless of the challenges they may face.
It’s an honor to truly get to know each member and be able to support them through personal obstacles + victories- making fitness and wellness accessible to every BODY regardless of ability.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My family!! I’m a daughter, wife, and mom to 2 kids + dog mom! It truly is a family business, and nbFuquay would not be here without my family. They are the ones behind the scenes through all the highs, lows, and everything in between. Owning a business is a wild ride, and I’m lucky they’re strapped in next to me. My husband and kids are always ready to come to any studio event, help with setup/clean up, run the mic/music, and so on.
My kids are the best cheerleaders- always willing to wear NB gear, the ones who give me a hard time for leaving to teach class, but the same ones waiting with the best hugs when I get home. My Dad- the best studio parent, babysitter, and Mr. Fix- it a girl could ask for. He “retired” 1 month before the studio was set to open. Without hesitation and many late nights, he answered the call to help and kept showing up.
I am grateful to every person who believed in me and every person who has walked through our doors. The members truly are the heart of the studio- we wouldn’t be here without them. It is an honor and privilege to be part of other women’s health and fitness journey. I’m so excited to watch this community continue to grow and help these ladies achieve and exceed their goals. Together, we are stronger!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neighborhoodbarre.com/location/fuquay-varina/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhoodbarrefuquay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodbarrefuquay/
Image Credits
Samantha Horne and Lusuriello Photography
