Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vanessa Chu, co-founder of Stretch*d, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Stretch*d is a one-on-one assisted stretching and recovery business. We offer 25-, 55- and 70-min long assisted stretches where a professional Stretch*d stretches you out from head to toe! We also offer additional recovery services, and our newest offering, Face*ssage, an ultra-relaxing face, head, neck, and shoulder massage - a must! We work with everyone from athletes to desk workers to everyone in between - we can all use a good stretch. It's relaxing, feels good, and is super convenient. We have 2 locations in NYC (Flatiron + UES) and 1 in Westchester in Rye Brook.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a lifelong athlete (competitive gymnast and springboard diver), certified yoga instructor (500 RYT), and obsessed with wellness trends. I love creating a new and unique offering for everyday people to feel good in their bodies. Stretch*d is a fun and accessible brand that is truly for everybody.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm so proud to have brought Stretch*d to life! It started as a concept; now, we have over 50 team members and have stretched thousands of people! We are constantly innovating, so I know we're not done yet with new iterations and offerings.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a small business owner comes with a lot of responsibilities! As COO, I am responsible for almost every aspect of the business - from a business strategy to as detailed as individual guest concerns. It's all about balance, but it doesn't feel like work if you love it!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Know what you're getting into. Many founders think it sounds fun or sexy to start a business - trust me, there's the good, the bad, and the ugly. And you have to embrace all of it!
  2. Make sure you love managing people, or you hire someone who does. Great people make all the difference in any organization.
  3. Make sure you're in the right life stage to do this. You'll likely devote a lot of your time to this business, especially in its early stages, so make sure you, your partner, or your family are ready for it.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

It's been so fun starting Stretch*d - it's great to bring a concept to life and see how it's got a real-life impact on people. We have clients who have made life-changing improvements after working with us, and that's an unbelievably great feeling to be part of.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://stretchdspace.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stretchdspace

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stretchdspace/
https://www.instagram.com/vanessamchu/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stretchdspace
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamchu/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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