By: NetWork Kansas
“I have always been an entrepreneur at heart,” says Hali Schultheiss, owner of Brio Med Spa & Wellness in Independence, Kansas.
However, it was not until an Ice House Entrepreneurship program awakened these dormant seeds that Hali’s entrepreneurial spark began to grow.
A family nurse practitioner, Hali “never felt fulfilled,” and found herself at “rock bottom” three years ago, “searching for something, anything to help pull myself out of the rut I was in.”
She knew there was a dream inside her and hoped the eight-week class, taught by Jim Correll and Brittney Holum, would help align her desire to grow with the ability to do so. Although the opportunity canvas Hali completed for the class was for opening a med spa, she didn’t take the plunge until professional pressures prompted her to take the next step to actively work toward opening her business.
Earlier this year, Hali launched Brio Med Spa and Wellness bringing services such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, medical aesthetics, and medically-supervised weight loss to Independence. Now, she smiles every day when she walks in the door to her “tiny” office where she is a one-woman show.
“I do it all,” Hali said. “It’s been hard work but it’s some of the most rewarding hard work that I have done.”
Hali’s experience with Ice House has benefited her business.
In addition to the advice and mentorship she received from Jim and Brittney, she cites guest speaker Melissa Weed as giving her invaluable insight into building her brand — advice she has taken to heart.
“I have put so much thought into every aspect of my business,” Hali said. “This is not just a med spa, it is a brand. When people see black and gold, I want them to think Brio.”
Brio also benefits from a NetWork Kansas loan awarded by the Montgomery County E-Community. Hali said the funding gave her the ability to breathe.
“I was able to get more of the inventory and supplies up front,” she said, adding that she’s able to navigate high minimum orders for medical-grade skincare while also investing in continuing education.
“That is going to help further my knowledge and make sure I can be the best. That is my goal – to be the best.”
The preparation is paying off.
In her first month open, “I blew my monthly projections out of the water by 16 times.”
Financially, the business is thriving and Hali is already eying a bigger space, where she plans to expand her services to include IV therapy and bring on staff, but she is adamant that any expansion happens in line with her brand, which includes the entire customer experience.
Hali is thriving in her entrepreneurial role as well, reaping the rewards of her hard work instead of “pouring my heart and soul into building a business for someone else.”
As an entrepreneur, Hali is blooming – just like the lotus in Brio’s logo.
“I am the best version of myself I have ever been,” she said.
About NetWork Kansas:
NetWork Kansas was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Backed by more than 500 partners statewide, the NetWork Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed.
NetWork Kansas facilitates the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within participating communities through the E-Community Partnership. Contributing factors to successful development include availability of financial capital, support by local leadership and development of educational resources. All of these factors combine to increase entrepreneurial activity in participating towns, leading to increased startup activity, business expansion, job creation and more.
For more information about the Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership, visit www.networkkansas.com/ecommunities or call 877.521.8600.
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