This month, we’re thrilled to feature an inspiring story of resilience, dedication, and entrepreneurship as we shine the spotlight on Kelli Jo Nuckles, the visionary owner of Healing Hydration, an IV therapy wellness spa nestled in the heart of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Kelli Jo’s path to small business ownership was deeply rooted in her caregiving nature and passion for healing. Starting as a travel nurse, she combined hands-on healthcare expertise with a love for adventure. Her pivotal role in managing pandemic response teams only solidified her commitment to service. But it was her personal experience caring for her late mother that ultimately motivated her to bring the life-changing benefits of IV hydration to her community. Today, Healing Hydration has expanded into two thriving locations, helping clients find wellness, energy, and balance.
Inspired by local entrepreneur Mitch Skaggs, Kelli Jo built her business on values of kindness, connection, and grit. She’s faced challenges head-on, including educating a community unfamiliar with IV therapy, and has transformed skepticism into loyalty through her hard work and dedication. Her exciting vision for the future includes expanding services, adding mobile units, and continuing to innovate in the wellness space—all while maintaining a strong foundation of leadership by example.
Whether you’re a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about how IV therapy can transform lives, this edition highlights the power of perseverance and the pursuit of passion. Kelli Jo reminds us that great leadership is about showing up, giving back, and never losing sight of your purpose.
Dive in to learn more about how this Bristol-based wellness spa is redefining health and well-being while setting an inspiring example in the world of small business.
The Heart and Hustle Driving Healing Hydration's Success
Track Bar Media: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Kelli Jo: My journey to where I am today started with my mom. She was sick my whole life, and being a nurse—and a good nurse—was always close to my heart. I wanted to care for people the way they deserved to be treated.
After graduating from nursing school, I combined my love for travel with my passion for nursing and became a travel nurse, a career I loved for several years.
When COVID hit, I stepped into a multistate management team to help lead the fight against the pandemic. Together, we administered over a million vaccines and monoclonal infusions.
But life shifted when my mom's health declined, and in her last months, I gave it all up and moved home to be with her. It was during this time that my vision for Healing Hydration was born.
As a travel nurse, I experienced the incredible benefits of IV hydration firsthand, and I wanted to bring that same level of care and wellness to our community. So, I opened Healing Hydration right here in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to help others feel their best—because everyone deserves that.
Track Bar Media: Was there someone who offered you support or mentorship early on?
Kelli Jo: Who Inspired Me?
A local guy named Mitch Skaggs.
To many, he might seem like just a regular blonde-haired, surfer-looking guy in work clothes. But to me, he’s so much more than that—he’s one of the most giving and personable people I’ve ever met.
Mitch is an incredibly successful businessman. At one point, he owned the majority of the street I lived on, and I even lived in one of his lofts in downtown Bristol. But his success isn’t what makes him truly remarkable.
What stands out most about Mitch is his heart. He’s caring, kind, and always gives more than he takes. He never meets a stranger and always has a smile on his face. He even jokingly calls me “the daughter he never wanted”!
If I could be like anyone or model my own success after someone, it would be Mitch Skaggs. Not because of his accomplishments—although they’re impressive—but because of the person he is.
Mitch is a great human, and the world could use more people like him. 💙
Track Bar Media: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?
Kelli Jo: When we first started offering IV hydration services, we faced a big challenge: many people in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee had never heard of it, or they didn’t believe in the benefits. It felt like an uphill battle—fighting tooth and nail just to get people to give us a chance.
But we believed in the power of IV hydration and what it could do for our community. We stuck with it, worked hard to educate people, and poured our hearts into what we do. Fast forward to today, and we’re so grateful to have a loyal community that shows up for us. There’s no greater feeling than seeing people waiting for us to open, knowing we’re helping them feel their best!
If you’ve never tried IV hydration or you’re curious about its benefits, we’d love to share more. It’s not just a trend—it’s a game-changer for wellness. Let us show you how it can make a difference for YOU!
Track Bar Media: How has your role evolved since you started in this position?
Kelli Jo: From Humble Beginnings to Taking the Territory by Storm
When we first opened, it was just me and one other staff member holding down the fort. Back then, we had about eight employees total, all making it happen out of a tiny 900-square-foot space. It wasn’t easy, but we were determined to build something special.
Fast forward to today, and wow—what a journey it’s been! Now we have two thriving offices, a team of over 30 amazing employees, and a presence that stretches far and wide. On any given day, you’ll find 6-8 team members in the office, out at mobile events, or providing in-home infusions.
We’ve worked hard, stayed true to our vision, and are so proud to see how far we’ve come. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way—we’re just getting started!
Track Bar Media: How do you see your industry changing in the next five years?
Kelli Jo: Where Do I See Healing Hydration in 5 Years?
The sky is the limit! In just 2.5 years, my “drip dream” has grown beyond anything I could have imagined. I see a future with more Healing Hydration locations, mobile units hitting the road, and countless new opportunities to serve our community in fresh, innovative ways.
Who knows what new services we’ll add to the mix? One thing is for sure—I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and expanding everything there is to know about IV hydration. The journey has only just begun, and I can’t wait to see what the next five years hold!
Track Bar Media: What qualities do you believe are essential in a leader?
Kelli Jo: Leadership Means Leading by Example
To me, leadership isn’t about giving orders—it’s about doing the work alongside your team. I’ll never ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself, and my team knows that. That’s why they’re 100% behind me, and together, we’ve built something incredible.
For over a year, I was there every single day, holding it down in our original 900-square-foot space. Now, we’ve grown to two offices, each around 2,000 square feet, with 20+ infusion chairs in each. It’s been an amazing journey, and it’s all thanks to a team that shares my vision and works tirelessly to make it a reality.
Here’s to leading by example and building something bigger than we ever dreamed!
Track Bar Media: How do you maintain focus and avoid burnout?
Kelli Jo: I’ve found the secret to avoiding burnout: LOVE what you do. When you’re passionate about your work, it doesn’t feel like a chore—it feels like purpose.
Every day, we welcome folks who are sick and in need of care. Watching them leave feeling better, hearing their gratitude, and knowing they trust us enough to keep coming back—that’s what fuels me.
And then there are the little moments, like running into someone at Food City and hearing, “Oh, you own that drip place!” Those small connections remind me why I started this journey and keep me inspired every single day.
I’m so thankful for this path, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Track Bar Media: How do you approach building professional connections and relationships?
Kelli Jo: Networking Made Simple
Networking comes naturally to me—I’d talk to a brick wall if it would talk back! Everyone seems to chase big, flashy connections, but the truth is, real networking is about helping just one person at a time. Word of mouth is the best advertising there is, and it doesn’t cost a thing!
In our first year, I didn’t pay for any advertising. Instead, I leaned on our small community, and they showed up for us in the best way. For that, I’m forever grateful.
Sometimes, it’s not about building something big—it’s about building something real.
Track Bar Media: Is there a piece of advice you’d like to give to your younger self?
Kelli Jo: What Would I Tell My Younger Self?
I’d tell her it’s okay to not have it all figured out. You don’t need to have all the answers right away—grace is everything.
You try so hard to have it all together, but here’s the truth: let go, give it to God, and trust the journey. Pay it forward every chance you get and know deep down that it will all be okay.
You’ve got this, and the best is yet to come.
Track Bar Media: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Kelli Jo: What’s the 5-Year Goal?
The sky is truly the limit! I’m beyond excited about everything we have planned for the future. Honestly, I surprise myself sometimes when I look back at the amazing things we’ve built and opened so far.
And here’s the fun part—we’ve got a few exciting things up our sleeve right now. I can’t spill the beans just yet, but trust me, whatever we do next is going to be incredible. Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started!
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