We recently connected with LORETTA AXTELL and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LORETTA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Vai Hydration Lounge began with a clear goal: to create a space where wellness practices feel approachable, energizing, and genuinely connected to the community. I wanted to give people access to tools that support real improvements in energy, recovery, focus, and overall well-being—things that help them feel good and function at their best in daily life. Whether someone is working toward a fitness goal, recovering from burnout, managing a busy lifestyle, or simply looking for more balance and resilience, I wanted them to feel welcome and supported.

In the beginning, I was learning every part of the process—licensing, sourcing, clinical protocols, branding, compliance, and operations, all at once. It was overwhelming at times, but also incredibly rewarding. Each step brought more clarity about what kind of practice I was building and why it mattered.

From the start, I’ve wanted Vai Hydration Lounge to be an engaged part of the community—not merely another wellness practice in the neighborhood, but something people feel connected to. Whether through events, partnerships, local fundraisers, or simply being a consistent and supportive presence, that sense of community involvement is a priority and a privilege.

Of course, there were challenges: building visibility from the ground up, refining pricing, managing time and growth, and learning when to ask for help. If I could do anything differently, I’d bring in expert support sooner—mentors, field-specific guidance, expert alliances and smart tools make a huge difference. I’ve also learned that staying curious, continuing to grow your knowledge, and embracing collaboration—even with competitors—keeps the work dynamic and rewarding.

Vai Hydration Lounge is still evolving, and so am I—and that’s part of what makes Vai’s contributions to our communities and wellness goals meaningful. Building something with purpose takes time, and I’ve learned to value the process as much as the outcome. I am driven to create a space where everyday people can experience the benefits of modern wellness practices without pressure or pretense—just thoughtful care, flexibility, and a genuine sense of connection. I want this practice to be known as a supportive part of the community—approachable, responsive, and always committed to helping people feel their best.

LORETTA, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a registered nurse with over 10 years of experience in hospital-based care, primarily in oncology and med-surg. Bedside nursing practice work gave me a deep appreciation for both the science and the human side of healthcare—and it eventually inspired me to create Vai Hydration Lounge, a wellness practice designed to help people feel better, stronger, and more supported in everyday life.

At Vai, we offer IV hydration, vitamin injections, and supportive therapies that target energy, immunity, athletic recovery, metabolism, and bounce-back from illness or travel. We also offer personalized weight management tools, including modern injectable therapies, for clients working toward sustainable body composition or health goals. Everything we do is grounded in real clinical knowledge—but delivered in a way that feels fresh, fun, and easy to engage with. We also offer NAD+ services for clients looking to support focus, cellular repair, and long-term vitality.

What sets Vai Hydration Lounge apart is the experience. It’s not just about getting a treatment and leaving—it’s about feeling cared for. Our clients relax in zero-gravity massage chairs, enjoy refreshing wellness drinks, and spend time in a calm, welcoming space that’s intentionally designed to feel good to be in. Some come solo, but many bring a friend or make it a group outing. There’s a social element to what we offer—taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be a chore, and we love making wellness something people look forward to.

Our clients include everyone from busy professionals and athletes to tired parents, high-performers, frequent travelers, and anyone looking to feel more energized, balanced, or supported. Whether it’s recovery after a tough week, prep for an event, post-travel immune support, or ongoing wellness and weight care, we offer flexible, personalized services that fit real-life needs.

What I’m most proud of is how many clients tell us they leave feeling genuinely better—not just physically, but recharged in a way they didn’t expect. We’re building something that’s not only effective, but enjoyable, and that feels like a win in every way.

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

One of the biggest turning points in my journey happened less than a year after Vai Hydration Lounge opened. I had launched the business with a co-founder, and together we had built the foundation—from protocols and branding to systems and service delivery. But before we reached our first anniversary, my business partner made the decision to step away entirely.

It was a moment that could have upended everything. We had opened with a shared vision, and suddenly the future of the business rested entirely on me. I had to decide whether to scale back or step fully into the next phase of Vai—on my own terms.

I chose to keep building. It meant restructuring operations, taking full ownership of leadership decisions, and re-centering the business around what mattered most: delivering high-quality, clinically informed wellness in a way that feels approachable, social, and fun. That moment forced me to grow as both a clinician and a business owner—and it gave me the clarity to shape Vai Hydration Lounge into what it is today.

Looking back, I’m proud of how that shift strengthened not just the business, but our purpose. Vai Hydration Lounge has always been about more than IVs—it’s been about creating space for people to recharge, reconnect, and feel good in their bodies. Whether someone comes in solo or with a friend, for recovery or routine care, that “drip together” vibe has become something people genuinely look forward to. And for me, that’s the kind of resilience that lasts: building something that continues to show up for people—even when plans change.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Beyond clinical training, what’s made the biggest difference in my work is knowing when to lean into collaboration and when to delegate. You don’t need to do everything yourself to run a successful practice—and in many cases, trying to do it all can hold you back. I’ve learned to outsource areas like bookkeeping, tech, and marketing so I can stay focused on the parts of the business that require more of my time and expertise.

Collaboration has also played a huge role. Some of the most creative ideas and unexpected growth have come from connecting with others in the wellness space. Whether it’s through referrals, joint events, or conversations behind the scenes, those relationships have helped me expand the business in a way that feels fortified and aligned.

Delegating well and collaborating intentionally have been just as important as any clinical or business management skill I have learned. Both have helped me move forward with more clarity, more energy, and more time to focus on sustainable growth and exceptional service offerings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vaidration.com
• Instagram: vai_hydration_lounge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553378762264