We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tanner Droll a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanner , thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I grew up with parents who owned a bowling center and bar, plus an ice cream shop — so business and hard work were kind of in my blood from the start. They were incredibly dedicated and ran both places for over 30 years, and even though they’ve since sold them, both are still open today. That really shows the kind of solid foundation they built.

From a really young age, I was helping out — basically since I could see over the counter. And to be honest, sometimes I resented it. Having your parents as your boss isn’t easy; they expected so much more from me than anyone else. But now, looking back, I’m grateful for it. It taught me to show up, work hard, and take pride in what I do.

My parents also made sure we had balance. They worked hard, but they always took us on trips. That’s probably where my love for travel and exploring new places started.

One moment that really stands out to me was after I moved out at 18. I was struggling to pay rent one month and asked my mom for help — just a couple hundred dollars. She told me no. At the time, I thought it was the end of the world, but that moment changed me. It taught me how to take responsibility for myself and appreciate the value of earning everything on my own.

Now, following in their footsteps, I’ve opened my own boutique yoga studio here in Charlotte, NC. Coming from a small town, I never imagined I’d end up doing something like this. My sister also owns her own hair salon back home, and it’s special to see how the work ethic and determination my parents instilled in us have carried through in both of our lives.

Tanner , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Lucalee Yoga was born from a mix of manifestation, intention, and hard work. When this space was brought to my attention, it was something I couldn’t pass up. I felt a calling to create a space where people could feel comfortable, grounded, and supported. A space to slow down, let go, and just be.

Everything at Lucalee is rooted in connection. From the natural light that fills the studio to the high ceilings and the way we greet each person by name, it’s all about making people feel seen and at home. We offer weekly vinyasa classes, private sessions, and special group experiences from bachelorette weekends to birthday celebrations and corporate wellness events. What’s matters most to me is that everyone who walks through the door feels cared for and supported on their journey.

The name Lucalee is deeply meaningful to me. It comes from my niece’s name, which means “bringer of light,” and my nephew’s middle name, Lee, which means “wisdom.” Together, Lucalee represents light and wisdom and that is the heart of the brand. It’s about creating a space where people can reconnect with themselves, find clarity, and leave feeling lighter and more centered.

For me personally, yoga became a lifeline during a period of anxiety. It taught me how to release stress, reconnect with my body and mind, and find calm in the midst of chaos. That experience shaped everything about Lucalee — it’s not just a studio; it’s a space for personal growth, healing, and self-discovery.

At its core, Lucalee is about creating intentional moments of presence and community. It’s about light, wisdom, and care. It’s about giving people a safe and welcoming place to step away from the world for a moment and come home to themselves.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really illustrates my resilience is from the first year of building Lucalee. The first six months were especially tough, classes were small, and I was working hard to get the word out in a big city, trying to grow my brand and attract students. I was learning how to advertise and navigate social media, which isn’t really my jam, all while building this business entirely from the ground up on my own.

I remember one time last year, I was sitting with my parents feeling really low, thinking, is this worth it? It still felt like such an uphill climb. But they reminded me that everything they built took time too, and that nothing meaningful happens overnight. That stuck with me.

So I kept showing up, experimenting with new approaches, figuring things out day by day, and trusting the process. Classes are still growing and filling up, and I’m continuing to learn and adapt every single day.

That first year taught me that resilience isn’t about never doubting yourself it’s about showing up anyway. Believing in your vision, even on the hard days, and knowing that if you keep going, it’s all building toward something bigger. And even today, the journey continues you have to keep growing and believing. I’ve grown a lot, but Rome isn’t built yet. Two years in, that persistence has helped lay the foundation for a space where people feel welcomed, supported, and cared for and I’m still growing alongside it.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes! Lucalee actually started as a side hustle for me. Honestly, if you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have never guessed I’d be a yoga teacher or own my own business. I was always in the hospitality industry, working at fine dining restaurants, and that was my world for a long time.
Yoga came into my life initially for personal reasons. I was presented with a scholarship to complete my 200-hour teacher training, and at first, I thought, “No, I’ll just do this for myself.” I wanted to deepen my practice, get to know myself better, and I didn’t even think I would teach afterward.
But after completing my training, I started subbing for classes occasionally, then taking on more opportunities, earning additional certifications, and gradually building a following. It all grew organically alongside my career in hospitality. Slowly, yoga started to feel like more than just a side passion it became a part of my life I couldn’t ignore.
Now, two years into making Lucalee my full-time focus, I’ve been slowly transitioning away from the hospitality and hotel industry to dedicate myself fully to the studio. It’s been a gradual, intentional process growing a community, offering classes, private sessions, and special group experiences, all while making sure the business reflects the light, wisdom, and care that are at the heart of Lucalee.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lucaleeyoga.com
• Instagram: lucalee_yoga
• Facebook: Lucalee Yoga
• Yelp: Lucalee Yoga

Image Credits

Sydney Schertz