We love all of the excitement that’s coming to Mount Kisco. Downtown is constantly with new businesses and services, cropping up to service the vibrant community. One of our favorites is Pure Burre Mount Kisco, a high-intensity workout designed to tone and strengthen. Owned by Megan Goldschien, a Chappaqua mom of two, we recently had the opportunity to learn more about her, how she got involved with Pure Barre, and what’s to come!
Interview with Megan Goldschein, Owner of Pure Barre Mount Kisco
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in your town?
I grew up in a town called Methuen, which is the last town in Massachusetts on I-93 before the New Hampshire border. I went to college in Boston, and moved to New York City after graduating.
I was lucky enough to meet my wonderful husband in the city, and our first daughter was born there. When our lives began to outgrow our NYC apartment, we moved to Chappaqua, which happens to be where my husband, Joe, grew up.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a phenomenal Hula-Hooper!
Tell us more about you get involved with Pure Barre or Barre, in general?
After discovering that I had celiac disease, I made an effort to take an overall healthier approach to living. In addition to eliminating foods from my diet that made me sick, I also began to look for an exercise routine that I enjoyed.
My boss in NYC introduced me to Barre classes, and I was instantly hooked. After sampling several different Barre techniques, I tried a Pure Barre class. It was the most challenging Barre format I ever tried. I felt accomplished, exhilarated, and couldn’t wait to take another class.
Why did you want to start your own chapter in Mount Kisco?
After we moved to Chappaqua, I continued to commute into the city for work, and began to think about finding something that I could do that I would be passionate about. I also was looking for something that would allow me to be closer to my children.
After a particularly tough day at work, I let off some steam by taking a Barre class. I began to wonder if Pure Barre was a franchise. After a bit of research, I found out that it was, and that there was no location anywhere close to our new home. In fact the only boutique fitness studios tended to offer classes that were at 8:30 & 9:45 am, making it very difficult for the working woman to find a way to squeeze a workout in to the day. The wheels were set in motion!
What was your “past life” like before Pure Barre?
I worked in the jewelry industry for the majority of my life. To this day, my parents own a jewelry store in southern New Hampshire.
During high school, and while I was home from college on breaks, I would always work in their store. I grew up working in a small business, which clearly resonated!
When I moved to NYC after college, I began to work on the wholesale side of the industry. After nearly a decade of that, I began to work for a logistics provider who serviced the wholesale jewelry industry.
How are you reaching out to parents and moms in the community?
I do a lot of outreach on all of the local mom group pages on Facebook. We offer the first experience at our studio as a complimentary class, and our members love to work out with their friends, so they bring them to class. Word of mouth definitely helps us grow our community more than anything else!
We try to hold an event on a monthly basis where our members can get more involved, and get to know each other more. We also try to partner with other local small business in these events where we can combine forces. Those are always really fun!
What can guests expect from Pure Barre?
The thing that makes me the happiest is when new clients coming through the door for the first time, tell me what a warm, welcoming space the studio is.
Members are always greeted by name upon checking in, even if it’s only the second time they come through the door. Our community is strong, and our members support each other. It really feels like you’re working out with loved ones.
What does “balance” mean to you?
Finding a work-life balance can be challenging while owning a business. It’s easy to put the business at the forefront of everything.
I try to spend working hours in the studio, and spend as much morning, evening, and weekend time with our family.
What are some of your go-to organizational tips?
My husband is the organizational guru of our family, and he’s really good at it. My tip is to check in with him! 🙂
What are some of the challenges you are facing as a business owner and a mom?
Weekends are tough for us. The girls are home from their respective daycares, have their own activities, as well as what seems to be a weekly birthday party! It is also the busiest time of the week at the studio. It can be really difficult to try to be a present mother, spending quality time with her children, while also ensuring that everything is running smoothly at the studio during our peak times.
What do your kids think about what you do?
Both of our children love to come to the studio. They run around and play in between classes. My 3.5-year-old likes to pretend that she’s “teaching a class,” just like mommy does. She even has her own Sticky Socks! It’s important to me that my girls see me as a strong presence in their lives. It’s also important that they see me as business owner, running a studio, caring for our members, and our staff.
What are some of your favorite me time things to do in your area?
We have two children under the age of four, so a lot of our activities are things that are very kid-friendly. We love to go for walks in the Glazier Arboretum, see the animals at Stone Barns, Rochambeau Farm and Muscoot Farm, visit the vendors at the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market, and visit the Kensico Dam.
What’s next for Pure Barre?
We’re getting ready to launch our cardio class, which is called Empower. It’s fun, fast, and furious. You’ll have a blast, and actually work up a sweat! Between Empower, Reform (our resistance band class), and Classic, you truly can achieve all of your cross-training needs under one roof!
December 14th also marks our One-Year Anniversary. We’re going to have a really fun weekend celebrating. Check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for more details!
