When did you open your business? What made you decide to open?
Bodyworks Studio opened in 2010. I opened it with a desire to bring a business to Logansport that I had experienced in bigger cities but didn’t exist here. I started doing yoga in Denver, Colorado, and when I moved back here, I wanted to introduce it to our community along with learning to be more aware of what we’re eating and how food affects us.
When did you decide to open Empower Wellness Cafe?
Empower opened on Earth Day, April 2022, and offers cold-pressed juice, acai bowls, smoothies, lattes and salads as well as boutique grocery items and local food. Empower is a member of Indiana Grown, an organization designed to connect residents with small Indiana local food businesses, and is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
How has your life changed since opening your business?
Owning your own business can be both rewarding and stressful. The benefit is that you have the freedom to take the business in any direction that you want. The challenge is that you are not guaranteed a paycheck, and often that means working well beyond normal business hours and being responsible for not only generating income to pay yourself, but to support employees as well.
What are the most popular classes or foods that customers enjoy?
Our most popular yoga class with teenagers is called Glowga. This is yoga in a room with black lights. It’s really fun. As far as food, they love the acai bowl and our smoothies. We love that our younger generation really seems to understand that what you eat is important, that healthy foods are worthwhile, and that taking care of the planet is important for future generations.
What has your business brought to the community?
We offer a fun, welcoming, effective way to take care of your body and release stress. Also, healthy foods are very hard to come by here. We are happy to provide convenient healthy food that also tastes really good.
For anyone who doesn’t know, what is the message that you want to spread?
What you eat and how you treat your body is so important. Our standard diet here in America is causing major chronic illnesses and doing damage to the planet. By choosing to consume mostly fruits and vegetables and eating locally and seasonally as much as you can, you make a vote for a more sustainable future.
Is this something that teenagers could go to or participate in?
Yoga is great for everyone. We offer classes specifically for the older generation and feel our classes are a huge benefit to teenagers. Gather some friends, send us a text, and we will set up a private class for you.
Where did you see your business going in a couple of years?
Empower has a non-profit division that will support the expansion of our work, building a more resilient local food system, and additional community wellness initiatives.
