After several years of selling her line of athleisure wear online and via pop-up shops and wholesale, Rachel Rodriguez has opened a brick-and-mortar location. Inspira opened its doors earlier this month at 3438 Wabash Ave., part of a shopping center that includes Hae’s Bakery & Coffee Shoppe and another boutique, Better With Bubbli.
“I started online in 2020,” Rodriguez said of the business she describes as “high-quality, affordable athleisure.”
“I would also do pop-up shops in the area and small business markets,” she said. “Last year we expanded into wholesale and I went to trade shows in Las Vegas and Nashville. I love working with other businesses, and now we’re in nine states at 13 different locations.”
Rodriguez said she moved to Springfield two years ago when her husband took a job coaching baseball at University of Illinois Springfield.
“I would be doing events here and collaborating with other businesses – people were always asking, ‘Where is your store? Can I come shop at your store?’ I’ve worked in retail since I was 15 and always been an outgoing, people person,” she said of her decision to open a storefront. “I wanted to bring it to the community.”
Rodriguez, who recently gave birth to the couple’s second son, hired three staff members to help her operate the storefront.
The business is also a way for her to give back to a cause that is meaningful for her family. Inspira is a partner with the Lupus Foundation of America and Rodriguez said she donated a portion of the company’s proceeds to lupus research.
“My mom had lupus for half her life, so I want to fight for a cure,” she said.
The butterfly incorporated into Inspira’s logo is also significant. “Butterflies remind me of my mom,” Rodriguez said. “When people see that, I hope they feel inspired to make a positive impact around their community.”
The store is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
