Collective Wellness Studio, Kellie Seiler
Kellie Seiler had dreamed of opening a wellness studio for at least two decades. As a health coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor with an IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) certification for nutrition, wellness had been her passion for years. But when she purchased a hair salon in Butler in 2020, she put her wellness aspirations on hold.
That changed when a space opened in another building nearby. The building housed a dance studio where she danced when she was a child, so it held fond memories for her. Kellie saw an opportunity she couldn’t ignore. “It was a no-brainer. All signs pointed toward doing this,” she says.
Kellie operates Collective Wellness Studio, which held its grand opening on September 20. The studio offers yoga classes along with massage, red-light therapy, contrast therapy, sauna, and cold plunge services. “We’re forever going to grow and offer different modalities,” Kellie explains.
About a year before launching, Kellie reached out to SCORE with her idea to open a wellness studio. She connected with mentor Russell Hearn, who introduced her to the full range of SCORE resources. Their conversations covered business planning fundamentals, but the real test came when Kellie learned about PURSUIT startup funding through the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
The PURSUIT application required an approved business plan from an organization like SCORE and a pitch deck — something Kellie had never created before. She pitched to three other financial organizations before securing the PURSUIT funding.
“I would not have been able to do it like I did and in the amount of time I did without the mentorship,” Kellie says. “I’ve never written a business plan.” The comprehensive checklist included everything from her personal resume to documenting her industry experience.
Kellie describes the process as time-consuming but invaluable. Keeping appointments with Russ and completing all assigned work required patience and dedication. “It opens your eyes to a lot of challenges you’re going to face,” she notes. “It’s an incredible amount of work that requires a lot of patience and was a learning curve for me. If you’re not ready to put in this work, you’re not ready to start a business.”
Today, Kellie continues to use SCORE resources as needed while growing her wellness studio.
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