FOREST CITY — Dr. Joeli Koenig knew during chiropractic college that she wanted a business of her own. After gaining experience working in Mason City, she took the leap in Forest City — and now her newly opened practice has earned a Northern Iowa entrepreneurial honor.
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center announced October 21 that Koenig, owner of Foundational Chiropractic, is their October 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.
For Koenig, opening the doors meant learning more than how to run a practice. It meant turning an idea into a business plan, sorting through financial needs and finding people who could help her take the next step.
A business dream finds its footing
Koenig’s goal of owning a practice took shape while she studied at Palmer College of Chiropractic. After working in Mason City, she began exploring potential buildings for her own business.
That search eventually connected her with Brook Boehmler, regional director of the North Iowa Area SBDC.
“I had just started, not knowing anything,” Koenig said. “I met with Brook and threw my ideas out, and he started asking me all these questions that helped guide me through each next step.”
Together, they worked on her business plan, assessed what she would need financially and prepared information for a loan application. Boehmler also helped her identify other people and resources to support the opening.
That kind of guidance has helped other area business owners pursue their ambitions. NIT previously featured Hampton entrepreneur Lance Studer, who left a career in HVAC to build his own automotive business, when he received the program’s August honor.
Building relationships in Forest City
Foundational Chiropractic recently opened in Forest City, where Koenig is beginning to build her practice and connections with patients.
She uses the Gonstead Method, an approach involving spinal analysis and targeted adjustments. Koenig describes her focus as identifying the source of a patient’s discomfort.
As a woman practicing chiropractic in Forest City, she also hopes to help women who may feel more comfortable seeking care from a female provider.
For Koenig, one of the most meaningful parts of business ownership is the prospect of developing a practice through personal relationships and word-of-mouth referrals.
“I think that within my niche, the most rewarding part is seeing results with patients and having them refer other people,” she said.
Her advice: ask for help, then take the leap
Koenig encourages people considering their own businesses to seek guidance early, even if they are unsure what assistance is available.
“I would definitely recommend using all your resources, including the Pappajohn Center and Small Business Development Center,” she said. “Even if you don’t think that they’re going to help you, they will. They know so much.”
She also wants aspiring entrepreneurs to understand that uncertainty comes with getting started.
“It’s going to be scary and you probably won’t know what you’re doing at first, but it’s just a leap you have to take,” Koenig said.
The NIACC Pappajohn Center and North Iowa Area SBDC work with both new and established businesses, providing counseling, training and help navigating business development.
Entrepreneurs can reach the center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu, or learn more at pappajohncenter.com.