Scottsbluff, NE, is Proud to Be a Hub for Women in Business
March 17, 2024
The Twin Cities Development Association is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting local women in business. These women have contributed to Scottsbluff’s economic development by opening businesses that serve the community and inspire other women to do the same.
FITogether Offers Women-Only Gym and Workout Classes
Isabel Moreno is the founder of FITogether, a women-only gym in Scottsbluff. Moreno said she was inspired to start the gym after dealing with health issues that required her to become more active.
“I was never an athletic person!” Moreno said. “But when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at age 24, it totally changed my body.” After several years and many visits to specialists, Moreno said she was tired of taking medication to ease her symptoms. “I couldn’t even pick up my kids or tie my shoes,” she said. “So I really had two choices: keep getting by with medication, or take control by becoming active.”
Once she started working out for the first time, Moreno realized it was not only improving her physical symptoms but giving her a mental outlet, too. It wasn’t long before she started teaching group classes at her local gym. Even through the pandemic, she hosted free Zoom classes so women could continue to get a much-needed outlet while stuck at home. Once gyms across Nebraska reopened post-pandemic, Moreno decided to start her own gym.
When asked why she started a gym for women only, Moreno said, “Going to a gym as a woman is intimidating. There’s a lot of pressure to have a certain body type, but I want women to feel comfortable working out regardless of how they look.” The FITogether gym has eight personal trainers who offer group classes and private training for women. Trainers intentionally keep their class sizes small – Moreno says she likes trainers to memorize the modifications each student might need during a workout. The gym also provides a childcare room so moms don’t have to worry about finding care or leaving their kids at home.
In addition to her thriving gym, Moreno owns A Venue Off Broadway, an event center she rents out regularly. She’s also the executive director of a Catholic School Foundation.
The City of Scottsbluff has seen tremendous growth over the years, in large part because of ambitious business owners like Isabel Moreno.
The Twisted Bang Salon
Maria Bernadac, another Scottsbluff business owner, founded The Twisted Bang Salon in 2013. After starting as a small two-chair salon, she quickly grew her business into one of the go-to beauty salons in the area. She and her team offer several types of hair and nail services, but Bernadac specializes in hair loss treatments.
Inspired to help people look and feel their best, Bernadac has learned how to do invisible hair extensions and hair toppers that look natural. “I became a hairdresser because I loved the idea of helping people feel good about themselves,” she said. Her regular clients know her as edgy, fun, and knowledgeable. With 16 years of experience, Bernadac has spent most of her life helping others feel amazing.
With more than a decade of serving the Scottsbluff community, The Twisted Bang Salon has grown to include nine other beauty professionals and a mini med spa.
To learn more about how the Twin Cities Development Association supports women in business, contact us today.
