We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Zeller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with TARA below.

TARA, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I took in business was to invest all of my money, move out of state, and forgo paychecks for the first few years in order to start a business with a friend that started as a dream and is now a franchise brand with over 30 locations presently.
The journey began several years ago when I owned a private practice with a waitlist. I had a comfortable income, with family nearby, and was respected in my community. While I was grateful for the security it provided, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant for something more. I had always dreamed of creating a business that not only reflected my passions but also made a positive impact on people’s lives on a larger scale. The idea of starting a franchise brand that focused on health and wellness was at first scary and seemed almost impossible.
I sold my successful functional medicine practice, gathered all my savings, started to make a plan, and moved out of state to take the biggest risk of my life. The excitement was palpable, but so was the fear. I was about to leave behind the security of a regular paycheck and invest everything I had into an untested idea. It was a daunting prospect, but the potential rewards far outweighed the risks in my mind.
Those early days were filled with long hours, hard work, and numerous challenges. There were moments when it felt like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. For the first few years, I didn’t take a paycheck. Every dollar earned was reinvested into the business. There were times when I questioned my decision, especially during periods of financial strain. But my belief in the business and its potential kept me going. I knew that if I could make it through those tough early years, the rewards would be worth it.
The turning point came when the first clinic began to gain traction. Word of mouth spread, and soon we had a steady stream of loyal customers. Encouraged by this success,it was time to take another risk: expanding the business into a franchise. This required a new level of investment and trust in others to carry the brand’s vision forward.
I spent countless hours developing comprehensive policies and protocols, training programs, and support systems to ensure that each new location could replicate the success of the initial location. The first few franchisees were friends and colleagues who shared our passion for health and wellness. Their success validated the business model an attracted more franchisees.
Today, we have over 30 locations across the country. Each one is a testament to the power of taking risks and believing in a dream. The journey was not easy, and there were many sacrifices along the way. But the rewards – both financial and personal – have been immense.
Taking that initial risk taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering belief in oneself. It also reinforced the idea that great rewards often come from great risks. My journey from a single location to a thriving franchise brand is a reminder that with passion, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, dreams can indeed become reality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My work has always been about supporting the optimal health, wellness, longevity, and quality of life of my community. From early on in my career, I have been deeply interested in natural health and healing. Personal health challenges as a child and young adult guided me towards what would define my purpose and career. I have lived my journey and struggled through it at times to be able to prevent that same struggle for others.
I got into this industry because I first wanted to heal myself. Through the process of healing, I discovered a passion for helping others access the resources and guidance they need to heal themselves. My ultimate dream for humanity is to prevent illness before it starts, ensuring no one is ever debilitated by disease and can live their best lives.
What I am most proud of in our business is that we truly provide solutions that help people heal themselves from the ground up. Our primary service, IV Nutrient Therapy, works on a foundational level to provide the body with what it needs to activate its self-healing mechanisms. This therapy helps decrease inflammation, increase metabolism, and balance the immune system. My pride is in helping people gain in their own health autonomy and knowledge and resources of what they need to be healthy and happy.
Our clients utilize IV Nutrient Therapy to support both acute and chronic conditions. Many of our clients use IV therapy to replace fluids or nutrition to maintain health, or to support the body’s systems that may have been damaged by unhealthy lifestyle habits, or physical, chemical, or emotional stressors that place excess nutritional demands on their bodies.
Nutrients administered through IV therapy bypass the gut, allowing vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids to be delivered directly to the body’s tissues, where they can accelerate the body’s self-regenerating capacities.
The body has an innate intelligence capable of restoring health and balance. Disease often results from interferences to the body’s self-healing capacity and deficiencies in foundational nutrients and vitamins. Our typical diet, even if perceived as “healthy,” often does not make up for the nutrient loss we experience due to stress, chronic infections, environmental toxins, and depleted nutrients in our soils. We require higher levels of nutrients to repair tissue, restore energy, offset oxidative stress, and regenerate our cells.
Achieving optimal health is possible through replenishing the body with vital nutrients lost through stress, injury, inflammation, and illness. The body is designed to heal and regenerate, but our environment, food, and stress can hinder this ability. By providing the body with high-quality nutrients, we help it regain its self-healing capacity.
Symptoms are the body’s way of signaling that our health is not optimal. By the time we experience fatigue, pain, inflammation, and weight gain, we have likely been depleted of vital nutrients for some time. I am proud to have made this profound therapy more affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are on their health journey. This empowers people to take control of their health and lives through understanding their body’s profound ability to heal and through health autonomy.
In essence, my mission is to transform lives by providing the tools and knowledge necessary for individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health. I believe in the body’s innate power to heal and am dedicated to helping others unlock this potential.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

Yes, I have sold a business, and the experience taught me several valuable lessons. The biggest lesson I learned from selling my first practice was that a business is an asset. This might sound simple, but at the time, it was a surprising revelation to realize that all of the blood, sweat, and tears I had poured into my first business had immense value. Seeing the tangible worth of my hard work was both validating and enlightening, and have been instrumental in becoming a business owner in the franchise world that’s business is selling businesses.
The second lesson I learned was that, even though a business is an asset, it still requires someone to drive it to be successful—much like a really nice car needs a skilled driver. Some people might buy a business and assume it will run itself, but this is a misconception. Even successful businesses that are sold can decline rapidly if no one is actively steering and managing them.
When I sold my practice, I realized that the new owner needed not just a blueprint of what had been successful in the past but also the vision and dedication to keep the business thriving. The transition period was crucial. I had to ensure that the new owner understood the operational nuances, client relationships, and the core values that had driven the practice’s success.
Another important lesson was the significance of preparing the business for sale well in advance. This involves streamlining operations, and ensuring that all processes are written and up-to-date, and building a strong, independent team. A business that is well-organized and operates smoothly without heavy reliance on the owner is far more attractive to potential buyers.
I also learned the value of professional guidance during the sale process. Having experienced advisors—such as business brokers, accountants, and legal experts—helped me navigate the complexities of the sale, negotiate effectively, and ensure that the terms of the sale were favorable.
Lastly, the emotional aspect of selling a business cannot be underestimated. Letting go of something you’ve built from the ground up is challenging. It’s essential to be mentally and emotionally prepared for this transition and to have a clear plan for your next steps, whether it’s starting a new venture, investing in other opportunities, or simply taking time to reflect and recharge.
For entrepreneurs hoping to sell their businesses one day, my advice is to start thinking about the sale early, understand the true value of what you’ve built, ensure that your business can thrive without you, seek professional help, and prepare yourself emotionally for the transition. These lessons have not only made me a better business owner but have also given me a deeper appreciation for the entrepreneurial journey.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my business partner while we were both pursuing our doctorate degrees. He reached out to rent a room in my house, and from there we made fast friends! We supported each other throughout our studies, helping each other prepare for exams and making sure to have some fun along the way.
After graduation, we went our separate ways for a while. I started a functional medicine practice, and he launched a paleo food company. Despite our different paths, we stayed in touch over the years. He frequently asked about my Continuing Education Units (CEUs) since he wanted to keep his license active despite not practicing due to managing his large food company. As a result, he often joined me for continuing education opportunities.
One such training was in IV Nutrient Therapy, which he found incredibly inspiring. He encouraged me to partner with him to start a business centered around this therapy. What began as a small clinic has since grown into a franchise with over 30 locations in the past five years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ivnutrition.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivnutritionfortcollins/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-zeller-4a3823272/

Image Credits

images inside a clinic