We recently connected with Brooke Vass and have shared our conversation below.

Brooke , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

As a full-time commercial dance major, fitness instructor, and college student, it can be really hard to find time for the things that actually make me feel good. There are days where I feel like I’m doing everything and still nothing feels like it’s working—mentally, physically, emotionally. I started posting my barre-inspired fitness workouts on YouTube as a way to hold myself accountable in a way that felt grounding and healing, not overwhelming.

At first, it was just for me to stay consistent and remind myself of my passion for dance and fitness. But as I continue to post, I realize how many other dancers and busy people out there were craving the same thing: structure, support, and a short moment in their day to feel strong again.

With this, I have created a YouTube channel dedicated to delivering quick, effective, and free barre-inspired workout videos that are accessible to everyone, especially dancers, students, and busy individuals. The channel features weekly 5-minute workouts that target different muscle groups, allowing viewers to stack them into a full 30–35 minute routine by the end of each month. All workouts are designed to be done at home with different equipment each week. Making it easy to stay consistent and strong no matter your schedule. Rooted through my certification in Barre Above, a professional speciality fitness certification, each video combines professional instruction with creative choreography to help viewers build strength, confidence, and connection through movement!

Brooke , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Brooke Vass, a dance and fitness professional, the creator of Barre by Brooke on YouTube, and a rising self-made entrepreneur. I produce weekly workouts that blend yoga, Pilates, barre, and dance into quick, effective routines designed for people who want to move and feel better, without overcomplicating it. My channel offers a space where movement is approachable, consistent, and creatively rooted in my own performance background.

I grew up training at competitive dance studios, immersed in styles like jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. From an early age, I was surrounded by movement and artistry. My biggest inspiration has always been my mom, a fitness professional whose passion showed me the power of consistency, both physically and mentally. Watching her lead with strength and joy shaped my own path early on.

When I moved to Boston to pursue a BFA in Commercial Dance at Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, I experienced a whole new level of independence. During my first year, I added a minor in Computer Science, inspired by my brother who works as a software engineer. With this, I will be the first to earn a BFA in Commercial Dance and minor in Computer Science. That combination of dance and technology opened up something new for me. A vision for how I could use both disciplines to create tools that support dancers beyond the studio.

Now, I’m working toward developing digital platforms and dance software that empower artists to train smarter and connect more deeply with their craft. This includes future plans to launch websites and tech-driven resources specifically for dancers, fusing wellness, performance, and innovation. That’s why Barre by Brooke is just the beginning.

My YouTube channel isn’t just a place to follow along with free workouts, it’s a growing hub for dancers and fitness lovers who want to feel strong, confident, and supported. As I continue to grow this platform, I’ll be releasing more updates on these upcoming digital tools, and I invite everyone to subscribe and be part of this journey.

My goal has always been to make movement more accessible, less intimidating, and something people genuinely look forward to. Whether you’re a dancer, student, or simply someone trying to find a rhythm again, I’m here to help you move with purpose.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

It’s starting to. If you told me a year ago that I’d be posting weekly workout videos on YouTube and growing a fitness brand, I probably would’ve laughed. I’ve always looked for side hustles, especially as a college student balancing student loans and living in one of the most expensive cities in the country. At first, working out was something I did quietly. I never posted about it and honestly felt embarrassed to let people see that part of me.

But about eight months ago, that changed. I decided to stop hiding and take it seriously. Movement helped me stay grounded while juggling my dance training, academics, and daily stress. A major turning point came this past summer when I finally gave myself the time and space to explore what I really wanted to create. That’s when Barre by Brooke started; sharing short, effective workout videos that made fitness feel accessible, not overwhelming.

Now, it’s growing into a part-time business where I not only provide weekly workouts but also explore tech-driven tools to support dancers and wellness creatives. As a Commercial Dance major with a Computer Science minor, I’m using both sides of my training to eventually build platforms and digital resources that make movement more efficient, customizable, and community-focused. This is just the beginning!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’m definitely still in the process of building my audience, but I’ve learned a lot just from getting started. The biggest thing is: you can’t be afraid to post. In the beginning, I held back a lot because I worried about what people would think or if something wasn’t “perfect.” But the truth is, consistency matters way more than perfection.

Posting every day, or at least showing up regularly, is key. It’s not about going viral, it’s about building trust and familiarity. I’ve also learned to work with the algorithm instead of against it: using trending audio, engaging in the first hour, posting at the right time, and staying active on one or two platforms instead of spreading myself too thin.
If you’re just starting out, my advice is: post, post, post. Don’t overthink it, just share what you love and be consistent. Your people will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/brookevass
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brooke.vass/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookevass14/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brookevass_
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@brookevass_

Image Credits

all images done by Haley Krawczyk – https://haleyjophotos.mypixieset.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac0Zu3hmghAaWJPbVeBL5m3t-rBJ2dSWeQO01lUZ5O-88YxszaRGAXkiD0bxw_aem_o8jGBq45sZnXF-on7X3i6w