39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 201, Montgomery, Alabama 36104

November Small Business Mixer: Health & Wellness Edition

Date: November 19, 2025

The November Small Business Mixer closed out the year with an inspiring and energizing evening focused on Health and Wellness in Business — a fitting reminder that sustainable entrepreneurship starts with a healthy mind, body, and strategy.

Moderated by Dr. Nichole Thompson, the event featured three dynamic voices in Montgomery’s wellness community: Gail Adkison, co-owner of 2A Fitness; Dr. Bryan Strickland, physician and plant-based health advocate; and Dr. Ashley Cochran, licensed therapist and social entrepreneur.

Each shared powerful lessons from their entrepreneurial journey — from building community-centered gyms and patient-first medical practices to creating therapy models that prioritize both impact and income.

Key TakeAways

Wellness and Entrepreneurship Are Deeply Connected
Business owners produce their best work when they prioritize mental, emotional, and physical health. Personal care is not optional—it’s a business strategy.
Purpose Can Shape and Strengthen Your Business Model
Each speaker demonstrated how passion for helping others became the foundation for a sustainable business that serves real community needs.
Systems and Support Drive Long-Term Stability
Whether it’s gym operations, electronic health records, or hiring for specialized tasks, the right systems free entrepreneurs to do the work they’re best at.
Community Is a Powerful Growth Tool.
Word-of-mouth, authentic service, connection, and consistent client care build loyalty—and serve as organic marketing that money can’t buy.

Gail Adkison

A native New Yorker by way of Long Beach, California, Gail Adkison now calls Montgomery home. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from AIU and an M.Acc. from Alabama State University. Gail is a professional figure/bodybuilding competitor, Certified Personal Trainer, CPR certified, and co-owner of 2A Fitness—“Montgomery’s Best Kept Secret.” She also co-founded the Rayflex Community Health & Wellness Foundation to expand access to wellness resources for all residents.

Mixer Insights:

Gail highlighted the importance of community-driven wellness, sharing how 2A Fitness built a family-like culture where members are checked on, supported, and encouraged long-term.

She discussed the challenges of running a gym in a saturated market and how innovation, multi-stream revenue, and consistent customer care helped their business survive for 14+ years.

Gail emphasized removing barriers for clients—offering meal prep, classes, childcare alternatives, senior-friendly services, and even home workout loaners.

She reminded entrepreneurs to stand firm on their value, noting that not every customer will understand what it costs to run a service-based business.

Dr. Bryan D. Strickland

Dr. Bryan D. Strickland is an internist in Montgomery, Alabama, affiliated with Baptist Medical Center East and Baptist Medical Center South. A graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Strickland specializes in treating obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic disease management. As a general internal medicine physician, he focuses on adult care and is a strong advocate for evidence-based, plant-forward wellness practices.

Mixer Insights:

Dr. Strickland shared his personal journey into lifestyle medicine, inspired by research such as The China Study and a desire to live healthier for his family.

He explained how integrating plant-based approaches into traditional medicine allowed him to support patients in reducing medications and improving long-term health.

He highlighted the business realities of medical practice—including insurance limitations, regulatory changes, and the need for adaptable systems.

His biggest advice to entrepreneurs: “Be more aggressive with opportunity.” He encouraged business owners to take calculated risks and embrace collaborations earlier.

Dr. Ashley L. Cochran, DSW, LICSW-C

Dr. Ashley L. Cochran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Alabama State University and a licensed clinical social worker specializing in child and family welfare. She is certified for Private Independent Practice in Social Casework and is a Certified Parent Child Interaction Therapist. Dr. Cochran is also the owner of Unlimited Potential Therapeutic Services, LLC, serving children, families, and individuals across Montgomery.

Mixer Insights:

Ashley openly shared the fear and courage behind starting her own therapy practice—and the importance of being honest about what you don’t know.

She emphasized the power of hiring your weakness—especially for billing, credentialing, and administrative work. “You can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t try," she noted.

Ashley discussed balancing accessibility with value, explaining her strategy of accepting Medicaid while pricing premium services appropriately to maintain sustainability.

She encouraged entrepreneurs to reject the “move in silence” trend and instead seek guidance from people who have already succeeded.

Health and entrepreneurship are deeply connected. Building a successful business means building the systems, support, and self-care habits that help you thrive.