Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Meyer.
Hi Deanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The question, “Tell me your story.” allows for endless possibilities, which makes it fun to answer. I was raised in Forney, Texas, a small town at the time, and from there attend The University of North Texas majoring in business. My career began in banking with JP Morgan Chase in New York. That was a significant culture shock for a small-town Texas girl like me. The experience in New York provided me with a solid foundation in business and set me on the path to build businesses of my own.
Deep down, I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss and start my own business. With the support of those around me, I was able to fulfill that dream about 15 years ago.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve been on a journey of building businesses all centered in health and wellness based on needs around me. It all started with a supplements company, which eventually led me to the field of regenerative medicine. The story behind that transition was from a personal experience. I suffered a shattered elbow, was dealing with chronic pain, and was introduced to the incredible potential of umbilical cord-derived stem cells. This breakthrough completely changed my life, and I wanted to share the power of regenerative medicine with others. From that passion, we established a business that provided products and education to over 200 clinics across the country.
The creation of NeoWell came from our desire to provide these regenerative products at a more affordable price to patients in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and offer people a new approach to wellness. We wanted to revolutionize how people access, choose, and consume health-related products and services. When we initially opened NeoWell, I had reservations about offering aesthetic treatments such as botox and fillers. We hired a Nurse Practitioner that convinced us to add aesthetic treatments to our clients. I was still reluctant because of a belief that inner wellness was far more important than superficial appearances. However, life had a way of surprising me.
Interestingly, many individuals who came to us seeking consultations for knee pain ended up declining the treatments due to cost. Strangely enough, they would return to NeoWell later, spending even more on aesthetic treatments. It became apparent that once they felt better about their external appearance, they started prioritizing their internal well-being as well. This realization completely transformed my perspective on aesthetic treatments. It became evident that people want to look better, and once they achieve that, they naturally begin to take better care of themselves. This revelation became a big reason behind the creation of the NeoWell Aesthetics Program.
Three months after opening the doors of NeoWell, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This brought about significant changes for our business plan. It was undoubtedly a shock to business as usual for us and for many businesses. However, we quickly adapted to the situation by shifting to a concierge appointment-only model. I’ve found that sometimes what appears to be a mess in the moment can work out to be incredible opportunities.
Despite the challenges, we persevered, hiring part-time nurses and nurse practitioners who played a crucial role in us realizing the need for an all-in-one program that supports providers wanting to break into the aesthetic industry. Nicole Brehm, one of our dedicated nurses, shared her story, her frustrations, and her desire to establish an aesthetic injection business, having grown weary of bedside nursing. Hearing Nicole’s experiences and the financial investments she had to make to piece together her business sparked the idea of creating a comprehensive training program for nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The NeoWell Aesthetics Group was born!
We discovered that many providers attended brief two-day trainings but lacked hands-on experience and practical guidance on establishing a business. In response, NeoWell Aesthetics Group decided to bridge the gap by offering boutique, small-class-size, hands-on training that is ongoing, along with comprehensive business training, sales training, and much more.
Since launching the program, a year and a half ago, we have grown to over 40 members and continue to expand.
NeoWell still offers regenerative therapies, which continues to be a huge passion of mine, we provide aesthetic treatments at a discounted rate for educational training days, and we have a program that supports providers passionate about learning the aesthetic industry.
Away from my entrepreneurial endeavors, I find joy in spending time with family & friends, traveling, exploring new places, and immersing myself into new experiences. It allows me to expand my horizons and gain new perspectives. Additionally, I have a daughter who is graduating from Plano West this year, an exciting milestone.
Life is full of surprises and adventures, and I look forward to what the future holds. Each day is an opportunity to create new chapters in my story and embrace the ever-changing journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The past 15 years in the business world have been quite a journey. It’s been a mix of ups and downs, a bit like a rollercoaster ride. The COVID pandemic definitely threw a wrench in things, but we managed to adapt and find success by addressing the evolving needs around us. Personally, I’ve faced some challenges along the way that have made me stronger. It hasn’t always been easy to stay optimistic when things got tough, but that’s part of the game and can create adventures, growth opportunities, and the reminder to lean into my faith. Through it all, my faith has been a source of strength, helping me navigate both the good and the challenging times.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor has been a natural process for me throughout my career. Whenever I come across individuals who have successfully grown their businesses, I take the initiative to ask them questions, establish a connection, and even invite them to grab lunch. What I’ve discovered is that many business owners are incredibly passionate about sharing their stories and helping others embarking on new ventures.
My advice? Don’t let fear hold you back—reach out to those who inspire you! You’ll be surprised to find that mentoring can be mutually beneficial; it allows mentors to share their experience and also have purpose from supporting others.
Contact Info:
- Website: neowell.com
- Instagram: @neo.well
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neo.well.73/
