By ERIC AYRES

WHEELING — Entrepreneurs daring to open a unique new business can attest to the fact that blazing a trail has its inherent challenges. The owners of ThrIVe in downtown Wheeling know first-hand what it takes to venture down a new path that can be tough to navigate.

But despite the obstacles, success is in store for those determined to achieve it. With a clear vision of their goals, a willingness to learn along the way, and a dedication to putting in the hard work, Jessica Barclay and Vanessa Craig have established themselves as faces of entrepreneurial success in the Ohio Valley.

The partners co-founded Play N Stay Pet Camp in 2005, a business that has expanded over the years with multiple locations in Wheeling and St. Clairsville, offering dog daycare, overnight pet lodging, kitty camps and a puppy training school.

In 2019, Barclay and Craig broke new ground in their business ventures by opening ThrIVe Wheeling, the Ohio Valley’s only health, wellness and aesthetics super-spa.

While Craig is primarily responsible for the daily oversight of the management and teams at the three Play N Stay Pet Camp locations, Barclay is responsible for management of daily operations at ThrIVe Wheeling.

Barclay said the path that led to ThrIVe’s opening started when she herself became interested in alternative wellness services, but ended up having to travel outside of the valley to find them.

“I often had appointments in Pittsburgh for sauna, Fairmont for float, Akron for CRYO and Columbus for IVs,” Barclay said. “At the time, we had strong leadership — as we do now — at Play N Stay Pet Camp, so I was on a bit of a self-care and life-recovery journey. It had been many long years of 365-days-a-year work, so that’s how I spent my initial free time to ‘bounce back.'”

At that time, a client and friend was considering the purchase of a building in downtown Wheeling to build a diner. They initially explored the idea of sharing a building where a new spa could be opened on the lower level.

“When that didn’t work out, we looked at the building where ThrIVe is now,” Barclay said. “My ideas for adding services that I’d love — combined with an eager building owner and great confidence from our local bank — turned into what has become ThrIVe Wheeling. We started with five services, and now we offer 33 services. We just keep going.”

Having a dream is an essential part of creating an amazing business, according to Barclay, who noted that aspiring entrepreneurs have to be all-in and have to be willing to learn along the way.

“I’d also caution them that every business owner is surprised at the amount of time, energy, commitment, drive and uncertainty that is wrapped up in creating something from nothing,” she said. “If you haven’t worked in the field that you’d like to build as a business, do that first! You may find it’s different than you’ve imagined.”

Working in a business that is similar to your desired field can be a great opportunity to learn, grow and lay the groundwork needed to take the reins of your own business in the future, she said. While you are learning, save all the money you can.

“You’ll likely need to bootstrap your business,” Barclay said. “It’s a pipe dream to believe that someone else will fund your career. You’ll need to figure it out. That starts with creating a nest egg, as best you can, while you hustle. Start small, give it your all, develop an understanding for what your customer wants, then figure out how to give it to them in the most dedicated, consistent and exceptional way. Learn to anticipate. Develop the ability to see what may happen next, with every choice.”

Part of growing involves taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them, Barclay noted. Early in her career, Barclay said she learned that clear communication is a key to building a successful team.

“I learned the importance of direct conversations, even when they are hard to have,” she said.

With ThrIVe located in the heart of downtown Wheeling, Barclay said it is an exciting time to be a business owner — and a resident — of a city that’s being rebuilt before everyone’s eyes.

“I think the Valley is set for a major comeback,” she said. “We are the perfect blend of nostalgia, experimental creativity and survivor mentality, and we all want to create a better life. We are willing to envision it, explore it, listen to our instincts and call it into being.”

Barclay said she attended the most recent Show of Hands, where local entrepreneurs made their pitches to win votes for a crowd-funded grand prize to help grow their businesses. It drew a huge crowd.

“There’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur in Wheeling and the Ohio Valley, no matter if you are male or female,” she said.

ThrIVe Wheeling is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. ThrIVe is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

For more information, visit ThrIVeWheeling.com.