Growing up in Memphis’ Bethel Grove neighborhood, Sam Nelson’s entrepreneurial spark was undeniable from an early age. 

“I was always the kid cutting yards or selling candy or whatever to make some money, and I just got addicted to being an entrepreneur,” he said. “I knew I just didn’t want to work for nobody. I felt good making my own money.” 

Nelson said he found inspiration in his community’s small business owners. 

“Mr. Harville had a construction business, Mr. Hill across the street did gravel, and there was another guy who had his own automotive business,” he said. 

As a young adult, Nelson enrolled at the University of Memphis with a major in biochemical engineering and a minor in business, with a plan to be his own boss by securing government contracts. 

But near the end of his sophomore year, Nelson found himself inspired by a television segment about a massage therapist who’d become a successful entrepreneur. He paused his undergraduate studies to pursue a massage therapy license, followed by certification as a personal trainer. 

Nelson quickly secured a contract with a large manufacturing company, which made him $600 in a day. He realized he could build a business by securing contracts with more large businesses that provided employee wellness programming.