Meet-a-Mom, Tifani O’Rourke
What’s your favorite family activity in the Hinsdale, Western Springs, LaGrange, Clarendon Hills Area ?
As a family we love to get outside to hike and explore in Fuller Woods. We have also spent lots of family time at HCHS football games this year. Plenty of hours are spent at the local baseball and softball fields watching our kids play little league baseball & softball games. And, then the Community House for Jodie Harrison basketball games in the winter.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have 3 kids. Brady, is 14 and a freshman at Hinsdale Central HS, Will is 12 and in 6th grade at HMS and Annie is 9 and in 3rd grade at Elm Elementary. 
How long have you lived in the Hinsdale/WS/LaGrange/CH Area? What made you decide to live here?
We moved here in 2011. My husband and I are both from the Chicagoland and both of our families still live in the area. We had moved a couple of times out of state for jobs (NYC area for mine and Louisville, KY for my husband’s) starting shortly after our oldest was born. We had always wanted to be back near family, however. In 2011, a job opportunity came about for my husband in the Chicagoland area and we jumped at the chance to move back near family and friends. His job required quite a bit of travel, so we needed to be near the airport(s) and obviously we were looking for a great school district and the neighborhood feel of Hinsdale & Burr Ridge just felt perfect.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in the Hinsdale/WS/LaGrange/CH Area?
My whole entire family loves Fuller House as it’s easy and convenient and has great tasting food and drinks. My husband and I also love Vistro and Nabuki for a great date night. And, we can’t forget our daily matcha teas at Café La Fortuna. I love to shop at RedE Mas. I love the variety of clothes and brands they carry and everyone that works there always find things for me to try that get me out of my comfort zone. I also pop in to Vintage Charm quite a bit, they have great little hostess gifts and also cute clothes at a good price point.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a derivatives trader for a large bank for many years. I loved my job and never imagined being more of a stay at home mom versus a working mom. Shortly after having my second son, I left my career in order to move across country for my husband’s job and opted to stay at home with 2 babies, which I then realized was harder for me than be a full-time working mom!
After moving to Burr Ridge, with now 3 kids, I jumped at the chance when Energie (formerly Demi-Bar Pilates) was looking for someone to work as a desk staff a few hours a week. I was able to take classes for free and I was able to have something just for me along with adults to talk to! I then started teaching there and when one of the former owners were ready to move on from owning the studio, I jumped at the chance to own this great business right in my community!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
So many people need to be thanked!!! My mom of course, who taught me how to be a mom and who I strive to emulate every single day. My husband, Tim, without whom I wouldn’t be a parent. But, he also balances my temperament, and we have learned from each other many important lessons and support each other always. My girlfriends that I have known since college (and some high school). I have vented with these women, cried with, drank with, and laughed and laughed and laughed with so very many times about this parenting and life journey. And, also my friends in my neighborhood that I have known for less time, but have become completely invaluable in not only car pools, and trading houses for play dates (aka keeping their and my kids occupied without our intervention), but also being amazing & true friends, co-conspirators and sound boards.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am the owner of Energie Pilates & Spa in downtown Hinsdale. We are located at 18 W. 1st St across from Sweet Ali’s Bakery on the 2nd Floor. Energie is a boutique studio that specializes in a variety of Pilates classes taught in a contemporary and athletic style. We offer group reformer, Demi-Bar Pilates (Pilates barre class), mat Pilates and HIIT classes, both on the reformer and in a studio setting. Personal and/or small group training is also available in both a Pilates format or traditional fitness training.Located inside our studio, we also offer medical and general esthetician services, lash extensions, massage therapy and a full-service hair salon. And, Energie is proud to offer fitness clothing for sale through a retail partnership with Game Set Style.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Well, without deciding to take that desk job at Demi-Bar Pilates, I would have never met many of the women in this area, or my former business partner, Megan Sullivan. It’s also allowed me to realize that I can be a small business owner within a great community that supports myself and my family in a variety of different ways. I love that many of the people in this town go out of their way to support local businesses, and moms in this community want to help out other moms in every way they can. Every one of us realize that we all need help in big, and small ways. And, if there is an opportunity to help someone out, the payback is huge and invaluable. It’s been amazing to see and personally experience as a part of this community.