The Follow-up File: SLO firm still helps minds and bodies

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Name: Rick Stollmeyer Job: Founder and chief executive officer Business: MindBody Inc.

What he said then: In spring 2007, The Tribune reported that MindBody was seeking funding from private “angel” investors to expand its business management tools for personal service providers.

Last year, the San Luis Obispo-based company served 2,300 salons, spas, gyms and other clients in 31 countries. Its 2006 sales were less than $2 million.

“San Luis Obispo is on the cusp of a renaissance in entrepreneurial-ism,” Stollmeyer said. “The best ideas require energetic and committed people.”

The firm’s 700-square-foot office at Broad Street and Tank Farm Road was later highlighted for its energy-saving “green” improvements. Stollmeyer said they boosted morale and productivity.

What he says now: Known as MindBody Inc. since Jan. 1, the company received $1.6 million from a private investor last summer.

The company has expanded to offer online scheduling services for its clients and their customers, who can book anything from a haircut to therapy appointments.

MindBody now has 71 employees — 55 in San Luis Obispo—who serve 3,400 clients in 42 countries “from Singapore to Berlin,” Stollmeyer said. Last year’s sales were $3.6 million. He expects 2008 to exceed $6.5 million.

“We took over the rest of our upper floor,” Stollmeyer said. “We’ve doubled in size again.”

“Green” features save MindBody $1,000 a month in utilities, so Stollmeyer says the company is adding new ones, including a system to recycle heat from network servers in the winter.

“In addition to the hard savings is the human element,” he said. “I can count on one hand the number of people who have chosen to leave.”

To accelerate growth, Stollmeyer seeks funding from professional venture capitalists. By 2011, he hopes to capture 10 percent of the 500,000 wellness businesses in the U. S. market.

By 2009, MindBody plans to add a “widget” to its online portal to allow customers to search for services among any participating provider.

“Every yoga studio in Los Angeles is our client,” Stollmeyer said, for example. “Imagine if you could find who’s teaching this kind of yoga class this afternoon and has space available.”