Leaving Corporate Life

Lisa Locker built a high-powered corporate career. But when she ditched the suits and became a CycleBar franchisee, she found a whole new challenge.

- Stephanie Schomer

After two decades climbing the corporate ladder at tobacco conglomerate Philip Morris, Lisa Locker needed a change. She cherished her time there and learned how to lead a strong team, but she also found the environment to be limiting and, at times, unsupportive of working mothers like herself. The self-described fitness junkie tried out jobs in real estate and cannabis before taking a leap of faith and signing on as a CycleBar franchisee in 2017, purchasing six territories throughout the Denver metropolitan area. Now she operates two thriving studios, with plans to open a third this summer. And while she entered franchisee life with plenty of business acumen, she learned that running a local, service-based business required a new mindset.

Was it difficult to transition from the corporate world to business ownership?