She Used To Sell Cigarettes. Now She Sells Health And Wellness

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 partnering with her husband to buy six CycleBar franchise territories throughout the Denver metropolitan area in 2017. Now she operates three thriving studios, with plans to open more. 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?