BUSINESS OWNER:  Amy Peirce and Cassidy Walker 
BUSINESS NAME:  Thrive Wellness Center 
MAIN PRODUCTS/SERVICES:  Holistic and innovative health and wellness services 
LOCATION:  819 Gordon Dr., Ste B. Sioux City, IA 51101 (directly behind IHOP) 
WEBSITE:  www.thrivewellnesscenter.net 

Short description of your business:  

Holistic wellness center that brings new and innovative health and wellness services to Sioux City, aimed at helping with recovery, healing, restoration, and rejuvenation.  

What motivated you to start your business?  

I was driving out of town on a routine basis for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and whole-body cryotherapy. After 4-5 months of frequent out-of-town travel for wellness modalities, I wanted to bring those same innovative services to Siouxland. As a Nurse Practitioner, I want to help people with health and wellness. I like to focus on preventing illness, injury, or disease rather than conventional medicine, which often focuses on symptom control and disease management. While both are important, I enjoy working with people who want to prevent illness. I like the quote by Jim Rohn, “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.” 

What’s unique about your business? 

We have Siouxland’s only cryotherapy unit and vertical and lounger mild hyperbaric oxygen chambers.  

What’s the biggest challenge to grow your business?  

Our business recently opened on 11/27/23. We are still trying to educate the public on our new wellness modalities, such as mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy and whole-body cryotherapy, which have a host of benefits including accelerating recovery and healing; boosting energy, endurance and athletic performance; improving circulation, mental clarity and mood; and decreasing inflammation within the body.  

What has been your greatest reward?  

The biggest reward thus far is seeing the benefits it has already had on my friends and family, who have willingly tried the new wellness modalities. Some of my friends and family would never have gone out of town for such services. However, since they are here in Siouxland now, they are utilizing the services and enjoying the benefits.  

How have you benefited from the startup community in Sioux City and the region? What resources did you use? 

My business partner, Cassidy Walker, who has an established business (Thrive Health and Hydration), was a substantial influence and immensely helpful in starting the new wellness center. Additionally, Todd Rausch with the Small Business Development Center at Western Iowa Tech, Downtown Partners, and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce have been helpful in our business startup. The small business community in Siouxland is a very tight-knit group of people who are helpful and want to see others succeed.   

Are there any experiences that were particularly influential in that regard? 

Visiting Todd Rausch early in the planning stage was helpful and provided me with a lot of guidance and resources. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce staff was also very helpful in providing me with many resources and connecting me with other chamber members. Special thanks to Angela Rogers; she is fantastic! 

Why is it important for the community to support startups and small businesses? 

It is important because starting a new business is a long and arduous process, which is often a lonely road. So, it is great to have support from other small businesses and community members. It truly takes a village! 

What are some future goals for your company? 

We would like to continue growing our wellness center with innovative wellness modalities so that Siouxlanders do not have to travel or leave town for services.