By Christina Abouzeki, xwq2at@virginia.edu
Entrepreneurship is taking root across Grounds. From classroom settings to real-world ventures, an increasing number of University of Virginia students are expressing interest in this dynamic side of business.
UVA’s Founder’s Forum, a full-day event set for Wednesday, will bring entrepreneurs, executives and community members to Rouss & Robertson Halls. Showcasing 12 different startups and established companies, the nearly sold-out event will allow students to learn from speakers, network and explore their entrepreneurial interests.
One of those speakers is Commerce alum Bryan Myers (McIntire ’09), President and CEO of boutique fitness chain [solidcore].
After joining the [solidcore] team in 2018, Myers, a winner of the 2023 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Mid-Atlantic Award and the Washington Business Journal’s Growth Award, has committed to implementing strategy development, inclusivity, and strength across the company, even serving as a [solidcore] coach himself.
Myers says [solidcore]’s large reach and impact on customers are the most rewarding aspects of his tenure as the company’s leader. (Contributed photo)
Q. How do you see the Founder’s Forum making an impact on the community?
A. I’m excited about two things related to the Founder’s Forum. The first is the opportunity to introduce students to alternative career paths in business that aren’t the traditional finance, accounting, or large company path. And whether they opt to explore it now, later or never, it at least opens their eyes to new options that they may not have considered.
The second is the opportunity to connect with other leaders and opportunities, and I really appreciate that [McIntire Assistant Professor Charles W. Ransler IV] is carving out space to ensure that we all, as leaders, have the opportunity to engage, create community, and share insights and learnings among ourselves.
Q. How did your time at the McIntire School of Commerce shape your experiences in leadership and entrepreneurship?
A. McIntire gave me the confidence – rooted in “knowing enough to be dangerous” across all of the disciplines of business – to walk into an entrepreneurial environment, where it’s important that you have the ability to chip in and support across all areas of the business. It also provided me with an incredible network of my peers, but also other alums who have been invaluable as I’ve navigated my career in this nontraditional world of entrepreneurship.
Q. What has been the most rewarding moment in your role as CEO at [solidcore]?
A. I’m really fortunate to lead an organization that has such a profoundly impactful role in the lives of our clients. When our clients talk about the role of [solidcore] in their lives, they talk about physical transformation, mental transformation, and personal transformation. So for me, the most rewarding moment was crossing the threshold of having served more than a million clients over the company’s lifetime. Because stepping back, it was a reminder that although we’re building a great business, at our core (pun intended), we’re really here to transform communities through changing and impacting lives.
Q. What inspires you to continue to innovate in an evolving industry like fitness?
A. The challenge of it. Fitness is such a challenging industry because, for all of us, getting and staying motivated to start and continue a fitness routine is incredibly difficult, even though we all want to do it. So, every day waking up and thinking about how we can be a positive force in our clients’ lives to help them start and sustain their fitness routine by meeting them where they are with the class they want, the time they need and with the messaging that will motivate them is so fun and rewarding.
Q. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
A. If you are considering being an entrepreneur, know that you don’t have to start a business – perhaps that’s not your skill set – but you can lead a business through growth and transformation, and that is entrepreneurship as well. So, my advice would be for people to do some soul-searching before they jump in. Think deeply both about what you’re good at and what gives you the most energy, because regardless of where on the entrepreneurship spectrum you fall, it’s going to take both to be successful.
This story was originally published on UVA Today April 14, 2025.
