10 Questions with Melissa Pachak, FM Wellness Collective

So that’s an option, but when we launch the app, I want to make sure it’s free for the consumer, and then supported by the wellness providers.

4. Once you are ready to launch the new app, have you given thought to whether there are particular geographic areas or types of communities that you plan to start scaling first?

We’re really looking at expanding outward from Fargo-Moorhead initially because we’ve already built some great relationships in surrounding wellness communities, including Grand Forks, Bismarck, Sioux Falls, and the Twin Cities. We’ve even had interest from people in Boulder, Colorado, which is exciting!

We’re still exploring what makes a community a good fit, looking at things like population size, the number of wellness providers, and what it takes to create a sustainable chapter. In larger markets like the Twin Cities, it might make sense to have multiple chapters serving different areas rather than one covering the entire metro.

But I think one of the biggest pieces of our expansion strategy is finding the right chapter directors. These are really the people who will bring The Wellness Collective to life in their own communities. They’ll be responsible for building relationships with local wellness providers, growing their chapter’s membership, organizing community events, and creating opportunities for collaboration and connection.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about wellness, naturally connected to their communities, and have a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit. We’ll provide the infrastructure, technology, marketing resources, and support so they don’t have to build everything from scratch.

What I really love about this model is that it allows us to grow while keeping that local, grassroots feel. Each chapter will reflect the unique needs and personality of its community, but we’ll all be working toward the same mission of making wellness more accessible, connected, and trusted.

5. As you add communities, how do you envision the roadmap for finding the right chapter directors and then the onboarding & guidance process?

We’re actually using our Lakes Area chapter as kind of a beta test for what this model could look like as we expand. Cassie Brausen, who leads that chapter, has been working closely with me to develop a really comprehensive playbook for future chapter directors. She’ll also serve as their main point of contact, providing guidance and support as they get their chapters up and running.

We’re creating resources for just about every aspect of running a chapter, from organizing events and building membership to marketing templates, communication tools, and all of the behind-the-scenes processes that we’ve learned along the way. Essentially, we’re taking everything we’ve figured out through building FM Wellness Collective and turning it into a roadmap that others can follow.

We’ll also be providing the infrastructure through our website and app, including things like the wellness directory, community calendar, email marketing, and other tools to help them manage and grow their chapters.

I think the goal is really to take away as much of the administrative work and guesswork as possible so chapter directors can focus on what matters most: building relationships, bringing people together, and creating a thriving wellness community. We want to give them a really strong foundation while still allowing each chapter to have its own personality and respond to the unique needs of its community.

6. It sounds like you’re on a good path with the operating procedures and chapter onboarding. How about the current path of getting the new website and app built and rolling out marketing?

I think one of the most powerful marketing tools we’ve used in growing FM Wellness Collective has been collaboration. So much of our growth has come from building relationships with people who share our mission, who are natural connectors, and who are already doing incredible things in their communities. I think there’s something really powerful about bringing people together who genuinely want to support each other, and that’s going to continue to be a big part of our growth strategy.

On the technology side, we’re actively developing our new website and app. We have two really talented people working together, one focused on the front-end design and user experience and the other on the back-end development. We were also fortunate to receive funding through Innovate ND, which has been incredibly helpful in moving the project forward.

We’re aiming for a January launch, and I’m really excited about what we’re building. The platform will bring together our wellness directory, community events, and opportunities for connection in one place, making it easier for people to discover and engage with wellness resources in their own communities. It’s really about taking what we’ve created locally and building the technology to make that same experience possible in communities everywhere.

7. I’m glad you mentioned Innovate ND, as I was going to bring that up anyway, knowing that you are going through that program. What can you tell me about your experience with that?

My experience with Innovate ND has been really wonderful. While access to the reimbursable grant funding has been incredibly helpful as we build our platform, I think the mentorship, resources, and connections have been just as valuable.

I meet with my coach, Adam Elznic from NDeavor, every other week, and he’s been such an incredible support. Whether we’re talking through business strategy, navigating challenges with development, or just working through whatever comes up, he always has great insight and resources to share.

What I’ve appreciated most is that the support feels really genuine. Adam actually came to our Wellness at the Winery event and participated in a sound healing session, which was so fun! It meant a lot to have him show up and experience what we’re building firsthand.

I think when you’re creating something new, having people in your corner who believe in what you’re doing and genuinely want to see you succeed makes such a difference. That’s been one of the most meaningful parts of Innovate ND for me.

8. For the reader, a key component of both phases of Innovate ND is the required customer interviews. In addition to the guidance from Adam and the grant funds, how helpful were those customer interviews?

The customer discovery interviews have actually been one of the most valuable parts of this whole experience. I also participated in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, which gave me a really great framework for approaching these conversations and understanding what people actually need.

I started by interviewing both wellness providers and people looking for wellness services, and one of the biggest themes that emerged was trust. We’re so inundated with wellness information, especially through social media, and it can be really difficult to know who or what to trust. That was something we heard from both sides, and it really reinforced the importance of building a network of providers who are vetted, credible, and committed to operating with integrity.

For Phase 1 of Innovate ND, I completed 40 interviews, and as I’m approaching Phase 2, I’m looking forward to connecting with more founders, tech developers, and people building digital platforms and communities. I’ve already had some really interesting conversations with people across the country who are doing similar things, and it’s been fascinating to learn about their experiences, the challenges they’ve faced, and how we can apply those insights to what we’re building.

I think my biggest takeaway has been a completely new appreciation for customer discovery. It’s really shifted how I think about building something that’s not just innovative, but genuinely valuable to the people we’re trying to serve.

9. I 100% agree with that, and you’ll likely make the folks at I-Corps, Innovate ND, and gener8tor happy when they read your comments about the value of customer discovery. As we’re already near the end of the interview, I’ll ask my consistent #9 time machine question: If you could visit a younger Melissa, what kind of hindsight advice would you give yourself?

I think the biggest advice I’d give my younger self would be to lean into the things you love. There’s a Rumi quote that I’ve always loved: “Walk the path and the path will appear.” I think there’s so much truth in that.

When something really lights you up, pay attention to that. Get curious about what it is that makes you feel so excited and inspired, and then follow it. You don’t have to have the whole thing figured out or know exactly where it’s going to lead. Just take that next step, follow the next breadcrumb, and trust that the path will continue to unfold. I think some of the most meaningful things in my life have come from doing exactly that.

10. And then the last question: What can we do as a community to help you and the Wellness Collective succeed?

I think the biggest thing is to follow along, get involved, and help us spread the word!

We have our biggest wellness event of the year coming up on January 21st, FM Well Fest at Brewhalla, from 3–8 PM. It’s such a fun day where we bring the community together to celebrate wellness, with free wellness workshops, over 50 local vendors, and so many opportunities to discover the incredible resources we have right here in our community. We’re also planning to celebrate the launch of our new app at the event, which is something we’ve been working really hard on and are so excited to share!

So, follow us on social media, come celebrate with us in January, and help us continue building a community where wellness is more accessible, connected, and collaborative. We really believe that healing happens in community, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

About FM Well Fest

FM Well Fest is a free, community-focused wellness event in Fargo that brings together local wellness businesses, practitioners, and community members. Featuring local vendors, free educational talks, movement workshops, and family-friendly activities, the event offers an opportunity to explore wellness resources, learn about healthy living, and connect with professionals throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area. Whether you’re looking to discover new wellness services or simply learn more about ways to support your well-being, FM Well Fest has something for everyone.

About John

John Machacek has been helping local startups with the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation for over a decade. Before joining the GFMEDC team, John’s career path has varied in areas such as banking, accounting, and management in the nonprofit, food & retail sectors.

See the full 10 Questions spread from Fargo INC!’s November 2026 issue below.