WAKEFIELD, RI -- Healthy Inspirations founder Casey Conrad is leaving her company, a year and a half after partnering with Jim Rowe, CEO of Slender Lady, in a merger of the two companies.
“After a year and a half in business together, it became apparent that I could not co-exist professionally with Mr. Rowe and have now made the decision to channel my positive energies into my other businesses,” Conrad said in a statement.
Rowe was not immediately available to respond to Conrad's statement, but he did release a statement of his own saying that Conrad's departure will mean that the corporate headquarters will be consolidated in Coronado, CA, rather than be divided between his California office and Conrad's Wakefield, RI, office.
“We’ve maintained two corporate offices for the past two years,” Rowe said in the statement. “But Casey’s departure has served as the catalyst for streamlining our operations into one location. She’s a foremost expert in our industry and we wish her great success in her next endeavor.”
Healthy Inspirations combined diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications together under one roof. The model began as a licensed product that went into a separate space within a health club. The program morphed into a franchise concept in 2003.
Conrad partnered with Rowe in 2007 as a way to help her expand the franchise. Rowe had bought Slender Lady about a year prior to Conrad’s first introduction to him in 2006.
“On paper it was the perfect ‘marriage,’” Conrad says. “Rowe with the franchise sales experience and me with all the operational, sales and marketing systems.”
Conrad will now focus her attention on her other businesses, which include Take It Off, a licensed weight-loss program for health club operators, and Communication Consultants, which provides sales, marketing and management training resources to the health club industry worldwide.
In addition, Conrad’s newest book, “Selling Personal Training,” was released last month.
“I wish the best of luck to all the Healthy Inspirations centers and know they will continue to inspire women to change their lives,” Conrad said.
In Rowe's announcement of the changes, he also noted the following corporate appointments: Elaine Tenen, R.D., director of nutrition/customer service; Kevin Sullivan, controller; Clay Neff, director of franchise development; Dan Olsen of Rhino 7/FGS, regional sales; Evelyn Olson Lamden and Margaret McAllister of Red Kite Business Advisors, marketing and advertising; Tamilee Webb, M.A. of Webb Workout, health/wellness consultant.
“I’m thrilled with each of these new team members,” Rowe said. “I have a long history with several of them.”
During the past year, Healthy Inspirations LLC has focused its franchise growth at the regional level, opening 10 regions across the country including Atlanta, Dallas, Hawaii, Houston, New Mexico, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa, according to Rowe. He said that he expects to open three to five additional regions by year-end. Currently, Healthy Inspirations Centers are located in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.