FEATHER IN HER CAP

“I never thought I could design and launch an app,” says Rebecca Asfour, owner of Bird Barre Studio, a boutique fitness studio in Lake Forest. “But I ended up designing and launching two apps in one year!”

After navigating the challenges of being a small business owner during 2020 and successfully emerging on the other side, Asfour became clear on how to evolve her business into more than a fitness studio.

“Having a small business during COVID was a huge challenge,” she says, having just celebrated 10 years of owning the fitness studio. “I wanted a strong sense of community to be at the core of my business, so I closed our Vernon Hills’ studio and doubled down on Lake Forest. We signed a long-term lease, rebranded, renovated the studio, and updated the technology platform we were using with a studio-booking app.

“And after all of that was done, I invested in myself. I studied the science of happiness, nutrition, and longevity. I wanted to figure out how to optimize my own wellness and how to find real, lasting joy. I went back to school and became a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. The experience was amazing.”

Before the program was complete, Asfour was tasked to come up with a product or business she would want to launch. “For me, it was an app on my phone,” she says. “My daily focus for a happy life is relatively simple: move your body, eat nutritious foods, and practice mindfulness every day. I put all of this into my new app—Bird Barre Online. I have scoured the wellness landscape, studied thought leaders, and I have more than a decade of movement experience. I put all of this in one place for you.”

Beginning February 1, Bird Barre Online is live and available in the app store for less than $20 per month.

“The app has an ever-growing library of barre, strength, and functional fitness workouts,” Asfour explains. “Some of the classes are full-length and full body. But some are short and focused for those days you just don’t have time for a full class, but still want a little movement. The music is awesome and will keep you going.”

Asfour says launching Bird Barre Online fulfills a long-term career goal she has had for connecting with the community.

“I hope this beautiful, easy-to-use app helps women move and feel good about themselves,” she says. “I’ve also added my favorite meditations and my tried-and-true recipes. I really think I can help people by putting this goodness and positivity out into the universe. Women are constantly taking care of other people, and this is a platform that will take care of them. That’s what Bird Barre Online is all about.”

To check out Bird Barre online, visit birdbarre.vhx.tv.