Five questions with bright light and founder of Chi50, Cheri Byrd! Cheri's Bucktown studio offers Megaformer classes, combining Pilates, cardio, and strength training into one amazing 50-minute workout.
1. Where do you find style inspiration?
1. Where do you find style inspiration?
CB: I love to travel and every new country and city is full of new inspiration. It's also my chance to get out of leggings for a change!
2. How would you describe your style?
CB: Generally speaking pretty casual- I'm in Lulemon probably 90% of the time. When I do get to mix it up, I love some big earrings. It's a pretty eclectic mix outside of that!
Ruby Jack Earrings- Statement Favorites of Cheri's
3. If you could have dinner with someone, dead or alive, who would it be?
CB: Can I choose the whole cast of Friends?
CB: Can I choose the whole cast of Friends?
4. What advice would you give someone trying to get into your profession?
CB: I would recommend that they take the time to work in a studio and get a better understanding of all the different aspects of the business. Take the time to sit down and look at the *why* behind their motivation for opening their own studio. I think some people have a slightly idealized notion of what owning a studio is-- they picture taking classes everyday, making their own schedule, and getting to wear leggings to work. They need to understand that if you decide to jump into any business venture that you are always connected and working in some aspect. If you've found something you truly, truly love, then it may no longer feel like work, and you really don't notice when you are working at all odd hours of the day and night. But there needs to be more there than just "I like to workout" or "I like this class." Do you enjoy managing people? Building a community? Can you handle the accounting and business side of things while still engaging with your clients? It's about seeing the whole picture, not just the one aspect that you love.
5. What is your favorite thing to do in Chicago?
CB: In the summer cruising down the river- the view of our city from the water never gets old! I also love to go to Bungalow by Middlebrow with friends. They've created the most amazing space and their pizza is the best! I'm not a big beer drinker (but they are very well known for it and I only hear great things) but they also have a small wine list of some really unique organic wines that they bring in. The owners may be may friends but I swear I am not biased : )
CB: In the summer cruising down the river- the view of our city from the water never gets old! I also love to go to Bungalow by Middlebrow with friends. They've created the most amazing space and their pizza is the best! I'm not a big beer drinker (but they are very well known for it and I only hear great things) but they also have a small wine list of some really unique organic wines that they bring in. The owners may be may friends but I swear I am not biased : )
Bonus Question: Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?
CB: I had a friend and manager that gifted me a bracelet that had been her mother's. She had bought it when she was in her early 20's in Egypt, and it is a really cool, simple piece with hieroglyphics on it. The gift was just so meaningful because her mother had recently passed and that she took the time to give me a special piece from her that was a sentiment of shared love for travel- it just meant a lot.
