October 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month – Dr. Joeli Koenig
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Dr. Joeli Koenig of Foundational Chiropractic in Forest City, IA as the October 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.
When Dr. Joeli Koenig was studying at the Palmer College of Chiropractic, she always knew she wanted to own her own business. After gaining experience working in Mason City, she decided it was time to take the next step and open her own practice, Foundational Chiropractic, in Forest City. Joeli provides chiropractic care using the Gonstead Method, which focuses on analyzing the spine and identifying specific areas that need adjustment. Her approach centers on finding the source of a patient’s pain rather than treating symptoms alone. “We really find where that pain point is in the spine and fix that. We aren’t chasing symptoms. We’re chasing the root cause,” Joeli said. As a female chiropractor in Forest City, Joeli also sees an opportunity to help more women access chiropractic care. She believes her presence in the community has made it easier for some women to seek treatment.
Getting started meant learning how to navigate the business side of opening a practice. Joeli began looking at potential buildings before learning about the resources available through the NIACC Pappajohn Center and SBDC. She connected with Brook Boehmler, North Iowa Area SBDC Regional Director, to discuss her plans. “I had just started, not knowing anything,” Joeli 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.” Joeli worked with Brook to develop her business plan, understand her financial needs, and prepare the information required to apply for a loan. He also helped her identify the people and resources she needed to move forward.
Joeli recently opened her practice in Forest City. As she begins serving patients, she looks forward to seeing the results of her work and building relationships within the community. “I think that within my niche, the most rewarding part is seeing results with patients and having them refer other people,” she said. For Joeli, referrals from patients who have experienced improvements are a meaningful way to know her work is making a difference.
For others considering business ownership, Joeli recommends seeking help early and making use of the resources available in North Iowa. “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 encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take action, even when they are uncertain about what comes next. Starting a business can mean stepping into unfamiliar territory, but she believes experience comes through the process. “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,” Joeli said.
