Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I am human! I have had lots of highs & lots of lows and have learned many valuable lessons along the way. I have been able to fall flat on my face and get back up again. I am mentally strong when I need to be. I am compassionate & emotional when I have to be. Most of all, I am grateful for everything & everyone in my life currently. I love my life today, and I cherish every interaction that I encounter. I love being inspired by authentic & real people. I love being a barre instructor, and I love my clients and instructors as if they were my family. When I am overwhelmed, I walk in my studio and see how happy they all are to just be there. This puts everything into perspective, and suddenly, I am okay.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been with my husband since I was 15 years old. We have 5 children & 1 granddaughter. Colleen 31, is the oldest of our children, she is my biological niece, whom we helped raise and consider our own. Tyler 22, just graduated McDaniel College where he played college football for 4 years & studied Business Administration & Economics. He is currently an assistant football coach at Father Judge High School in Philly. He also works at The Irish Horne a few times a week. Brandon 20, is our middle child, and he is entering his junior year at, Chestnut Hill College. He plays lacrosse and is studying to be a psychologist. Payton 17, is entering into her Senior Year at Council Rock South High School. She is a varsity captain for the cheerleading team. She may be one of the coolest chicks I know. Her carefree attitude & confidence is inspiring. Dominic, 14, is the baby of our family, and he is attending Father Judge High School this year as a freshman. He will be playing high school football this year. Avery Sophia is Our Granddaughter, and she loves cheer, fake nails, lip gloss, music, & making Tik Tok videos. She is Our Heart!
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently, I am the owner of Garage Barre, where I teach barre & other fitness classes, as well as act as therapist, friend, janitor, and whatever else is required! I wouldn’t change any of it! Prior to owning my own business, I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, once our oldest was off to college and the other kids were all in school, I started to feel unfulfilled. I began running, which I loved. Then I started to take barre classes, and it clicked for me, I can do this. Barre for me was unlike any other fitness classes I had taken and I quickly fell in love. It wasn’t easy going from being a stay-at-home mom most of my life into the working world. I began vigorously taking barre classes, and was approached to be a barre instructor. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me at the fitness center, but it turned out to be the greatest thing ever! I decided I was going to get certified to be a barre instructor, I knew that my passion for barre couldn’t be ignored, and that I was meant to do this.
After becoming certified, I was hired by a local gym in Richboro. My classes became very popular and was also promoted to manager. I learned a lot from my experience there, but the most valuable lesson I learned was that your heart & soul needs to be in it, and if it is, you will succeed. If it’s not clients will feel that and your success will be at a standstill. I spent 3 years there until Covid shut us down. Virtual teaching wasn’t for me.
My husband and kids gave me the courage to open my own business. We gutted our garage and transformed it into a small studio. That is where the name Garage Barre was formed. Once word got out that I was teaching in person again slowly but steadily all of my former clients started to come. Within a year we went from 5 to 75 clients. Even though I was happy with my setup, we knew we needed to grow. When I walked into the Old Spread Eagle Inn in Richboro, I knew this would be Garage Barre’s new home. The owners of The Spread Eagle, Tony & Christine, who also own Giuseppe’s Pizza in Richboro gave me a chance. It took about 3 months with a lot of help from family and friends to transform the space but we opened up in October of 2021. I have to say other than becoming a mom, this studio is by far one of my proudest accomplishments. It came at a time in my life when I needed it the most. We will be celebrating our 1-year anniversary in this new location, and I couldn’t be happier. The women I get to meet and share my days with, are all truly inspiring. They get me, they accept me for me, and they inspire me to strive to do better. I couldn’t have done this alone, and I am so humbled by our growing community of rock star women! I love them all!
Q: Please tell us a bit about your business.
We are a small fitness studio. We offer lots of great classes, barre, yoga, jump-fit, circuit, dance, and kickboxing, just to mention a few. We also hold a lot of events here. I love promoting local businesses and forming a support system for us all. It’s crucial that we all stick together and help each other succeed. All of our instructors are uniquely different but all hold the same values for teaching. Passion is the heart & soul of Garage Barre.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Almshouse 59, Giuseppe’s, The Irish Horne, and Oishi
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Richboro for 15 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Pastor Chuck: He is the pastor of New Church Live and he has truly saved my life! Also, my client Anne Palilonis. She is one of the strongest people I know.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Greece, I have always wanted to vacation there. It looks so serene and beautiful. One day I hope to get there.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movie: When a Man Loves a Woman, that movie really just hit home for me. The love of a husband for his wife, no matter what, I can truly relate to this. Also, Terms of Endearment, I can cry for days after watching this. TV Shows: Sons of Anarchy, Virgin River, Animal Kingdom, and Lincoln Lawyer, just to name a few.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t let the outside noise in. Know who you are, know your worth , and don’t let anything or anyone stand in your way!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
It’s kind of silly, but I always wanted to be a part of a dragon boat team.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I am at rocker at heart, but my go to is Chris Stapleton. His voice soothes my soul!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I honestly am just inspired by the numerous women I meet. I love hearing stories about strong women defying all odds. It truly has helped me through my own struggles. Everyone has a story, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My clients! Hands down my favorite humans!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
5 Years: Still teaching barre
10 Years: Living on a beach & still teaching barre
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends of family may not know about you?
I can be sensitive!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Martha’s Vineyard
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas Eve
Favorite Day on the calendar: EVERYDAY THAT I AM BREATHING
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Family!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children & my husband are my foundation. If it wasn’t for their Support, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my Dreams. They all pick up me up when I am down, and their unconditional love is why I am where I am.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coco Chanel & Chocolate
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Love, Security
Q: Where can people find you or your business?
