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HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness

HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness

By: Pete Moore
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 Learn from top entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor) sector how to optimize your business success. With host Pete Moore, Founder and Managing Partner of Integrity Square.Integrity Square-2025 Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Episode #589: From Backpacking to Beer Baths-The Journey Behind Oakwell Beer Spa

    Episode #589: From Backpacking to Beer Baths-The Journey Behind Oakwell Beer Spa
    Mar 3 2026
    Welcome to HALO Talks! In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, the husband-and-wife team behind Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, Colorado. They started in New York City, where feeling professionally unfulfilled, they decided to quit their corporate jobs, sell everything, and head off on a 14-month adventure across 25 countries looking for a unique business idea! Along the way, they experienced beer spas in the Polish Alps, social wellness spots in South Korea and Japan, and quickly realized Americans were missing out on these accessible, communal wellness concepts. Jessica and Damien talk about how their love for hospitality and wellness merged with their analytical approach to create Oakwell Beer Spa, a modern, science-backed spa experience where hydrotherapy baths infused with hops and barley offer real holistic benefits. From navigating the challenges of getting funding and finding the right city, to making the spa inclusive for both men and women and designing it for scalability, their story is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and wellness enthusiasts alike. Listen as Pete unconvers how the team turned Oakwell into a thriving business and how they're now preparing to franchise the concept across the U.S. When it comes to the number one question they get Jessica states, "Just for everyone that's listening, you don't actually bathe in beer! That is the number one question that we get. So we're not pouring a PBR Coors into a tub! The water, it's hydrotherapy that's infused with hops, malt, and then we have different herbal blends." Key themes discussed Entrepreneurial journey and world travel for inspirationOrigin and concept of the Oakwell Beer SpaAdapting global wellness experiences for the U.S. marketAvoiding gimmicks and focusing on real wellness benefitsOvercoming funding and commercial space challengesImportance of corporate job experience for entrepreneurshipScaling strategy: Franchising versus corporate-owned locations A Few Key Takeaways: 1.Beer Spa Origin Story: Jessica and Damien talked about how their entrepreneurial path began in New York City, where they found themselves unfulfilled in corporate jobs. Their decision to quit, travel to 25 countries, and search for a unique business idea culminated in the creation of Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, a fusion of hospitality, wellness, and their love for beer, inspired by spa concepts encountered during their travels. 2. Beer Spa Concept. More Than a Gimmick: They emphasized that Oakwell Beer Spa is not a "bathe in beer" gimmick. The hydrotherapy bath infuses water with hops and malted barley (key beer ingredients), which have legitimate wellness benefits; Hops offers a relaxing aromatherapy effect, and barley nourishes the skin much like an oatmeal bath. They collaborated with herbalists to develop various infusions to address different wellness needs. 3. Intentional Market Selection & Adaptation: After researching, they chose Denver for its beer and wellness-centric culture, affordable costs, and manageable competition. Their approach was deliberate: Bring in a global wellness trend to the U.S., but adapt it to local tastes and legal considerations, ensuring the business would be scalable and not just a novelty. 4. Overcoming Entrepreneurial Hurdles: Their story is a lesson in persistence. Despite pitching to over 40 banks and being turned down due to the unproven nature of their concept, they eventually secured funding through city-backed small business loans and nonprofit lenders. They also faced real estate challenges due to the city's low vacancy rates and potential landlords' skepticism about an unproven concept. 5. Scalability and Franchise Vision: From the beginning, their goal was to scale. After perfecting their concept with two corporate-owned locations, they began preparing for franchising—refining operations, training systems, and brand standards to ensure consistency. Resources: Jessica Zouaoui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfrench10 Damien Zouaoui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienzouaoui/ Oakwell Beer Spa: https://www.oakwell.com Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.comProspect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.comPromotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.comHigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com
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    32 mins
  • Episode #588: Building Strive-Combining Science, Self-Improvement, and Authenticity in Men's Skincare

    Episode #588: Building Strive-Combining Science, Self-Improvement, and Authenticity in Men's Skincare
    Feb 24 2026

    Welcome to this episode of HALO Talks, where Pete Moore sits down with Angel Olavarria, founder of Strive mens skincare, and cosmetic chemist from Forest Hills, Queens. Angel reflects on his journey from a career in sales to becoming an entrepreneur in men's skincare. He reflects on the idea that people tend to attribute positive attributes to others who are very attractive, inspired him to dig deeper into self-presentation, which eventually led him down the path of skincare science.

    Angel discusses the often confusing (and slightly sometimes sketchy) world of men's skincare, his hands-on approach to developing formulas, and the importance of using the proper amount of evidence-based ingredients. He also opens up about the process behind launching his business, staying true to his principles, and building a brand that values authenticity over flashy marketing tricks.

    It doesn't matter if you're interested in men's skincare or not. What is key here are the lessons Angel has learned as he continues to (rapidly!) scale Strive. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or even seasoned business owner and are looking for fresh insights into building a thoughtful and impactful brand, this episode offers a candid look at balancing passion, discipline, and business in today's competitive market.

    Key themes discussed

    • Journey from sales to skincare entrepreneurship
    • The complexity and science behind truly effective skincare
    • Importance of authenticity and principles in entrepreneurship
    • Product development: Balancing simplicity and efficacy
    • Marketing strategies: Digital, SEO, and sampling challenges
    • Pricing, margins, and growth without sacrificing values

    A Few Key Takeaways:

    1.The Power of Skincare for Personal Branding: Angel shared how men's attention to self-care and skincare can enhance the tendency for people to attribute positive qualities to those who appear attractive and well-groomed. This observation sparked his journey into men's skincare and eventually founding Strive.

    2. Authenticity in Entrepreneurship: He stressed how he builds his business on strong principles, refusing to compromise quality or add unnecessary complexity to men's routines. He wants Strive to be genuinely useful, not just another product pushed by aggressive marketing.

    3. Science-Backed Formulations vs. Marketing Gimmicks: The chat also highlighted the importance of using ingredients with proven efficacy, like niacinamide or retinol, both backed by decades of research. Olavarria pointed out that many competitors focus on trendy but unproven plant extracts, often prioritizing marketing narratives over results.

    4. Lean Operations and Smart Growth: Angel explained how he handles most of his business personally, takes advantage of contractors and US-based suppliers, and leverages technology (like AI) to stay nimble. He emphasized starting with fewer SKUs and growing thoughtfully to avoid complexity and inefficiency.

    5. Philosophy of Continuous Improvement and Authentic Brand Building: The brand name "Strive" embodies the drive to always work toward something and improve. Angel wants the brand to inspire men to strive, not just for looks, but for personal growth. He also values authentic ambassador relationships, only working with those who genuinely connect to his products.

    Resources:

    • Angel Olavarria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelolavarriajr
    • Strive Skincare: https://www.striveskin.com
    • Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
    • Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
    • Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
    • HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com
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    29 mins
  • Episode #587: Exploring GLP-1 Integration and Fitness Industry Innovation with David Appel of Korb Health

    Episode #587: Exploring GLP-1 Integration and Fitness Industry Innovation with David Appel of Korb Health
    Feb 17 2026

    In this new episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with David Appel from KORB Health to dive into the rapidly evolving world of GLP-1s, fitness, and clinical care integration. Pulling from his experience as a longtime coach-turned-operator, Appel talks about the genesis of KORB and how they're working to bridge the gap between telehealth, health clubs, and innovative weight loss solutions. They bring up marketing strategies that connect with new demographics, the challenges and opportunities of GLP-1 programming, and the importance of education for both fitness professionals and their clients.

    If you're curious about the future of fitness, medical wellness, and how health club operators can leverage these advancements to better serve their members, this one is a must-listen.

    Regarding the role of provider relationships in weight loss success: "Through this provider relationship they're not going to ramp up the drug just to get the weight loss if you're not doing any of the other parts to help with it . . . because otherwise you're just going to end up feeling sick, because you have too much of the medication going on, your body isn't going to be able to adapt."

    Key themes discussed

    • Integration of GLP-1 therapies with fitness and clinical care
    • Marketing challenges for GLP-1 workouts in health clubs
    • Creating specialized programming for GLP-1 users
    • Partnerships between telehealth platforms and health clubs
    • Addressing stigma and privacy for GLP-1 medication users
    • Effects of GLP-1 on muscle strength and aging
    • Education and training for trainers on GLP-1 protocols

    A Few Key Takeaways:

    1.New Approaches to Programming & Marketing: David emphasizes the importance of offering low-impact, accessible workout programs for people on GLPs. However, clubs should avoid overtly labeling classes as "GLP Workouts" to spare members any stigma, instead designing inclusive, beginner-friendly options. The success comes from blending with existing offerings and focusing on education and engagement.

    2. Partnerships and Revenue Sharing: Appel explains that KORB partners with established fitness chains like InShape Family Fitness, using marketing agreements involving SMS, email, and in-club signage. They've seen successful campaigns, with up to 3% penetration in club populations through integrated services and revenue share models.

    3. Importance of Ongoing Support and Telehealth: KORB Health provides telehealth care without long-term contracts or membership fees. Members get virtual consultations and ongoing support, leading to better retention and more effective weight loss compared to drop-shipped, no-support solutions. The personal provider relationship is critical to sustainable results.

    4. Market Challenges and Opportunities: The industry is still the "Wild West" with many low-cost and questionable suppliers. David stresses the importance of using vetted providers and compounding pharmacies. He believes health club operators should see GLP integration as an opportunity, not a threat, to grow their business and deliver improved outcomes for their members.

    Resources:

    • Dave Appel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-appel-8211305
    • Korb Health: https://www.korbhealth.com
    • Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com
    • Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com
    • Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com
    • HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com
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    28 mins
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