We were lucky to catch up with Alexia Tuttle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexia, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Yes, I am actually very happy, even with the challenges. I’ve been a business owner—somewhat by accident—for about a decade now. Looking back, I’m often amazed at how I ended up here. I always knew I was different; I was ambitious, driven, and determined to work efficiently, traits that made me feel out of place in many traditional jobs during my late teens and early twenties. I remember how my efficiency sometimes led to friction, with coworkers either quitting or facing challenges as I handled not just my own responsibilities but often theirs as well. I didn’t mean anything negative by it—I simply couldn’t understand why putting in 100% was unusual. But from that young age, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn’t made for a job with a ceiling or a future as a “lifer.”
Around this time, I was preparing for a career in law enforcement while also partnering with my husband’s business. The partnership happened gradually, and when I began, I immediately saw areas for improvement. With a fresh look at operations, I discovered outstanding invoices and areas where efficiencies could improve. I started helping with the backend processes, using my husband’s strong reputation and loyal client base as a springboard to rebrand and revamp his business. As I dived deeper, I found my passion for coaching. I completed the necessary certifications, took on more clients, and rode the wave of our business’s growth. Eventually, my husband no longer needed to work per diem at the hospital, and within six months, I was also full-time in our business. Our growth was nothing short of incredible—around 250% annually for the first five years, all with minimal marketing.
This journey, though fulfilling, didn’t come without challenges. My husband and I were working nonstop, and we quickly realized the importance of setting boundaries when you’re self-employed. There were times when we couldn’t take a single day off for months on end. The financial security was a blessing, and our work felt rewarding, so it often didn’t feel like we were working 60-80 hours a week. We had the freedom to take midday breaks, work out, hang out with our dogs, or handle personal tasks without being bound to someone else’s schedule. But this constant grind started to affect us—we found ourselves less present for each other, and occasionally, I would think about the simplicity of a life with a nine-to-five routine, where work ends when the day does.
Even with these challenges, when I compare the pressures of running multiple businesses to my experience working for someone else, I wouldn’t trade it. Business ownership isn’t for everyone; you have to genuinely enjoy working and know how to push through the inevitable tough weeks. In the end, the journey has been more than worth it. For me, it’s not just a livelihood; it’s a reflection of who I am and what I value. And that, to me, is true fulfillment.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Alexia Tuttle, an entrepreneur with a passion for creating impact across diverse fields. Together with my husband, Chris, we own and operate three distinct businesses: Tuttle Nutrition, Tuttle Equity, and our newest venture, Drink MOR, a water-enhancer brand designed to make hydration easier and more enjoyable. In addition to running our businesses, I serve on the board of a nonprofit dedicated to veterans, which aligns with our commitment to supporting meaningful causes in our community.
My journey into business started with Tuttle Nutrition, which grew from a personal interest in fitness and wellness. After joining my husband’s nutrition business, I saw ways we could streamline processes, improve client outreach, and develop an individualized coaching approach. I took certifications in fitness nutrition, personal training, and pre/postnatal care to ensure we offered top-quality, evidence-based support. Today, we help clients worldwide with practical, sustainable lifestyle changes that address both physical and nutritional needs. We’ve grown significantly, now with associate coaches who each bring unique expertise to meet our clients’ diverse needs.
With Tuttle Equity, we focus on multifamily real estate investments. Here, we work to create communities that not only deliver strong returns for investors but also provide lasting value for residents. Recently, we took over a 76-unit property where we’ve been revitalizing the apartments to be more competitive in the market and better suited to community living. For us, these properties are investments in people, and we’re dedicated to transforming each space into a place residents are proud to call home.
Drink MOR, our latest endeavor, combines my interest in health and wellness with a solution-oriented approach. Our water enhancer is designed to make it easy for people to stay hydrated with a flavor-packed, health-focused product. In today’s fast-paced world, we recognize the importance of easy access to nutritious options, and Drink MOR is our answer to a more enjoyable hydration experience.
What sets us apart across all three businesses is our client-centered approach and our emphasis on integrity and impact. In Tuttle Nutrition, that means recognizing that each client’s health journey is unique; in Tuttle Equity, it’s about creating vibrant, community-focused living spaces that benefit not only our investors but also out tenants. I believe you can run the apartment lean/efficient without becoming a slumlord; and in Drink MOR, it’s delivering a product that makes people’s lives healthier and easier. Our commitment to excellence and our dedication to long-term growth over short-term gains has helped each business stand out in its respective industry.
I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, but even more so of the meaningful impact we’ve had on people’s lives—whether it’s helping someone achieve a life-changing health goal, building a supportive community through real estate, or making hydration accessible and enjoyable. For potential clients, followers, and collaborators, I want them to know that we bring expertise, care, and authenticity to everything we do.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Resilience has shown up in so many forms throughout my journey, but one of the most defining aspects has been learning to navigate challenges I hadn’t recognized before, like imposter syndrome and discovering I have ADHD in my early 30s. Growing up, I faced various challenges that gave me a strong drive and adaptability, but they also instilled a persistent feeling of not quite measuring up. Despite my accomplishments, I often found myself doubting if I really belonged in the spaces I was building—whether it was in multifamily real estate, nutrition, or launching a new product line like Drink MOR. This imposter syndrome could have been paralyzing, but I saw it as a challenge to dig deeper into understanding myself.
When I was diagnosed with ADHD, it was both a relief and a wake-up call. It explained so much about the intense focus I could bring to projects, as well as the times I struggled with organization, or as I like to call it “chaos organization”, or felt overwhelmed by details others seemed to handle effortlessly. Instead of viewing it as a limitation, I chose to see it as part of my strength. ADHD has actually been an asset in a fast-paced entrepreneurial life, helping me to hyper-focus when needed and bring creative, out-of-the-box solutions to the table. You don’t have to be a diagnoses, you can use it as awareness then attack what is needed for change.
These experiences taught me resilience in a different light—not just as perseverance but as learning to work with every part of myself, even the pieces that initially felt like obstacles. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in turning potential setbacks into strengths. Building these businesses has shown me that resilience is about embracing your whole self and learning to adapt and grow through all the unexpected parts of life.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Our reputation in both Tuttle Nutrition and Tuttle Equity has been built on a foundation of humility, authenticity, and a deep commitment to client and investor satisfaction. With Tuttle Nutrition, we’ve always focused on delivering personalized, sustainable solutions. From day one, it was clear that no two clients were the same, and we wanted to honor that by offering individualized support rather than one-size-fits-all programs. By focusing on each person’s unique needs and treating every interaction with humility, we found that clients felt truly understood and appreciated. Many of our clients came to us through word-of-mouth referrals, particularly in the early days, because they saw that we were genuinely invested in their success, not just as clients but as people.
In Tuttle Equity, authenticity has been at the core of building and maintaining trust with our investors and partners. Real estate investing can be a highly competitive industry, and standing out often means more than just showing strong returns; it means creating long-term, transparent relationships. We’ve made it a priority to be honest about our goals, our processes, and any potential challenges in each project. This open approach has fostered strong relationships with investors who value our dedication to both community and profitability. By treating every property as a reflection of our brand’s values, we’ve been able to create spaces that residents are proud to call home, which, in turn, helps build lasting trust with our investors.
At the heart of our reputation is a commitment to making each client, resident, and partner feel heard, valued, and invested in. It’s the humility to keep learning, the authenticity to stay true to our values, and the dedication to putting people first that have allowed us to thrive in our markets. And, of course, anyone who’s worked with us knows that a sense of humor is part of the package! My bad or sarcastic jokes tend to stick around—whether people like it or not. But I believe a good laugh (or groan) helps keep things real and reminds everyone that while we’re serious about what we do, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. It’s these principles—and maybe a few corny jokes—that resonate with the people we work with and have been the foundation of our growth and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tuttlebrands.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiatuttle1/profilecard/?igsh=YTRtaG4yMGoyMWMz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexia.askitis/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-tuttle
