Curated for Community: How a Zumba Instructor Turned Studio Owner Found Her Home in Apex
September 17, 2025
When Aya Zaghloul envisioned Curate Studio, she wanted more than an event venue…she wanted a space that could bring people together. From Zumba classes pulsing with music and laughter to birthdays, graduations, and corporate gatherings, her industrial-chic studio at 3651 Green Level West Road in Apex is designed to bring people together. What began as a passion for dance and community has grown into a versatile hub where movement, milestones, and memories all find their home, made possible by the alignment of tenant, broker, and landlord working together to support her vision.
“I had a desire and a need for space,” Aya said. “I started teaching Zumba classes eight years ago, and for the first five, I was happily working for gyms and institutions. But when the pandemic hit and those gyms closed, I knew I had to find another way.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced gyms to close, Aya pivoted quickly – renting space wherever she could to keep her community moving. But that approach came with challenges: the spaces weren’t always the right size, they weren’t always affordable, and none of them fully fit her vision.
That’s when she decided to create her own.
“After dipping my toes in the market, I quickly learned that retail and office space comes with a price tag much greater than the costs of my Zumba classes,” Aya shared with a laugh. “So I shifted, and opened an event space instead, where I could teach my classes alongside.”
The result? A bright, versatile venue tucked just off Green Level West Road, minutes from I-540, RDU Airport, and Parkside Town Commons. Within eight months of opening, Curate Studio was already booking baby showers, micro-weddings, corporate events, and community meetups. Meanwhile, Zumba with Aya continued to thrive in the same space, bringing in participants of all ages and creating a loyal following.
A Space Designed to Flex and Flow
What makes Curate Studio work so well is its dual-purpose model: one that’s rooted in both personal passion and business savvy. The studio is a place where people gather to celebrate milestones, host trainings, and even sweat it out together to the rhythm of Latin-inspired dance fitness.
“My mission with Curate Studio comes in three parts,” Aya explained. “It’s a gathering space for people to Celebrate, to Educate, and to Motivate.”
Location played a big role in her success, but so did the right leasing partnership. With the help of commercial broker Laura Saleh of MC&G Commercial and property owner AB&B Commercial Real Estate, Aya was able to secure the right fit and a smooth leasing process.
“Before signing any paperwork, my broker was readily available to show me the space,” Aya said. “During the time we spent together, they were really supportive to my needs and questions.”
Since moving in, Aya says that AB&B’s tenant portal and responsive property management team have made operations simple, especially important as a first-time studio owner managing a growing calendar of events and classes.
“Working with AB&B has been a breeze,” she shared. “Communication is solid, and I appreciate that the most.”
Anchoring Community in Apex
As more tenants and businesses move into the Green Level area, Aya has found herself becoming something of an informal ambassador.
Neighbors and fellow entrepreneurs ask her what it’s like to lease there, and based on the studio’s energy and activity, the answer is easy to guess.
She’s also received interest in collaborating on events or referring the space for other community-driven initiatives – something that aligns with the original mission behind Curate Studio.
Aya’s journey from Zumba instructor to full-fledged business owner is one that embodies the spirit of local entrepreneurship: finding creative solutions, staying close to your values, and building a business that truly reflects who you are.
With support from MC&G and AB&B, Aya has transformed Curate Studio into a true hub of activity and connection – one that embodies the spirit of local entrepreneurship.
Editor's Note
Special thanks to Aya Zaghloul for sharing her story, and for showing how one tenant’s vision can bring a community together.
When Aya Zaghloul envisioned Curate Studio, she wanted more than an event venue…she wanted a space that could bring people together. From Zumba classes pulsing with music and laughter to birthdays, graduations, and corporate gatherings, her industrial-chic studio at 3651 Green Level West Road in Apex is designed to bring people together. What began as a passion for dance and community has grown into a versatile hub where movement, milestones, and memories all find their home, made possible by the alignment of tenant, broker, and landlord working together to support her vision.
“I had a desire and a need for space,” Aya said. “I started teaching Zumba classes eight years ago, and for the first five, I was happily working for gyms and institutions. But when the pandemic hit and those gyms closed, I knew I had to find another way.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced gyms to close, Aya pivoted quickly – renting space wherever she could to keep her community moving. But that approach came with challenges: the spaces weren’t always the right size, they weren’t always affordable, and none of them fully fit her vision.
That’s when she decided to create her own.
“After dipping my toes in the market, I quickly learned that retail and office space comes with a price tag much greater than the costs of my Zumba classes,” Aya shared with a laugh. “So I shifted, and opened an event space instead, where I could teach my classes alongside.”
The result? A bright, versatile venue tucked just off Green Level West Road, minutes from I-540, RDU Airport, and Parkside Town Commons. Within eight months of opening, Curate Studio was already booking baby showers, micro-weddings, corporate events, and community meetups. Meanwhile, Zumba with Aya continued to thrive in the same space, bringing in participants of all ages and creating a loyal following.
A Space Designed to Flex and Flow
What makes Curate Studio work so well is its dual-purpose model: one that’s rooted in both personal passion and business savvy. The studio is a place where people gather to celebrate milestones, host trainings, and even sweat it out together to the rhythm of Latin-inspired dance fitness.
“My mission with Curate Studio comes in three parts,” Aya explained. “It’s a gathering space for people to Celebrate, to Educate, and to Motivate.”
Location played a big role in her success, but so did the right leasing partnership. With the help of commercial broker Laura Saleh of MC&G Commercial and property owner AB&B Commercial Real Estate, Aya was able to secure the right fit and a smooth leasing process.
“Before signing any paperwork, my broker was readily available to show me the space,” Aya said. “During the time we spent together, they were really supportive to my needs and questions.”
Since moving in, Aya says that AB&B’s tenant portal and responsive property management team have made operations simple, especially important as a first-time studio owner managing a growing calendar of events and classes.
“Working with AB&B has been a breeze,” she shared. “Communication is solid, and I appreciate that the most.”
Anchoring Community in Apex
As more tenants and businesses move into the Green Level area, Aya has found herself becoming something of an informal ambassador.
Neighbors and fellow entrepreneurs ask her what it’s like to lease there, and based on the studio’s energy and activity, the answer is easy to guess.
She’s also received interest in collaborating on events or referring the space for other community-driven initiatives – something that aligns with the original mission behind Curate Studio.
Aya’s journey from Zumba instructor to full-fledged business owner is one that embodies the spirit of local entrepreneurship: finding creative solutions, staying close to your values, and building a business that truly reflects who you are.
With support from MC&G and AB&B, Aya has transformed Curate Studio into a true hub of activity and connection – one that embodies the spirit of local entrepreneurship.
Editor's Note
Special thanks to Aya Zaghloul for sharing her story, and for showing how one tenant’s vision can bring a community together.
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