Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Hartmann.
Hi McKenna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After graduating from the University of Alabama, I began my career in marketing within the private equity world. It was an exciting and challenging environment where I gained a strong foundation in business strategy and brand development. But even then, I felt a pull toward something more personal—something I could build with lasting impact.
That vision started to take shape when I met my husband, who at the time was the owner and operator of one Burn Boot Camp location. We quickly realized we made not only a great couple, but an even better team. While we were engaged, we opened our second Burn Boot Camp together and signed for two more. We got married shortly after and welcomed our beautiful daughter about a year later.
Becoming a mom shifted everything for me. After my maternity leave, I realized that the traditional corporate path no longer aligned with the life I wanted to create. I didn’t want to clock in and out for someone else—I wanted to build something for my family, with my family. I wanted to create a legacy that my children could one day be proud of, and maybe even carry on themselves.
So, I left corporate America. And in just two and a half years since that decision, life has been a whirlwind—in the best way. Together, my husband and I have:
– Opened a Project LeanNation franchise
– Acquired a Playa Bowls location
– Broken ground on a commercial real estate development called 400 Terminus in Dawsonville
– Grown our Burn Boot Camp footprint
– And most importantly, welcomed our second baby, our son Max, into the world.
We didn’t pause our dreams to have kids—and we didn’t wait until we had “made it” to start a family. We did both at once. Because you can raise babies and businesses at the same time. You don’t have to choose between being a great mom and being a great entrepreneur. You can do both—and I’m living proof of that.
My husband and I are true partners in this life and in our work. We believe that business and family don’t need to exist in separate worlds—we raise our babies within our businesses and let them see firsthand what hard work, passion, and purpose look like. It’s not always easy, but it’s the most rewarding profession I can imagine. And there’s no one I’d rather do it with.
Today, all of our brands and ventures operate under Level 13 Capital—the portfolio company we built to oversee and strategically grow our diverse family of businesses. As the backbone of our empire, Level 13 Capital provides financial oversight, operational guidance, and growth strategy across:
– Burn Boot Camp – A rapidly growing fitness franchise built on high-intensity training and a strong, supportive community.
– Project LeanNation – A performance-driven nutrition brand providing healthy meals and supplements for everyday athletes.
– Playa Bowls – A vibrant franchise serving fresh, nutrient-packed acai, pitaya, and coconut bowls.
– Level 6 Dawsonville – Our commercial real estate development entity, focused on building quality retail and office spaces for local businesses, like our project at 400 Terminus.
Level 13 Capital is more than a business hub—it’s a centralized powerhouse driving operational excellence, growth, and community impact across all of our brands. It allows us to scale while keeping each brand’s unique identity and mission intact.
At the end of the day, everything I do—every decision I make—is rooted in building something meaningful for my family, with my family. This isn’t just about business growth. It’s about legacy. It’s about showing my kids what’s possible when you lead with passion, vision, and heart.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. The road has been anything but smooth—it’s been full of challenges, tough lessons, and lots of growth.
One of the biggest struggles has been learning how to work with my husband as business partners *while* becoming parents at the same time. Navigating that dynamic is no small task. The stress of raising babies and building businesses simultaneously is intense, and it’s taken relentless work to invest in our marriage and partnership. We’ve had to be very intentional about creating boundaries so that business doesn’t bleed into home life and vice versa. It hasn’t been easy, but by pouring into our relationship, we’ve come out stronger and more aligned than ever.
Another huge challenge was realizing that we had scaled too quickly. The same year we had our son, we made the incredibly difficult decision to shut down a business. That was a hard hit—financially, emotionally, and mentally. But it taught us some invaluable lessons. We learned that we can’t be everywhere at once, and just because we *can* do something doesn’t always mean we should. That experience forced us to step back and ask ourselves, “Is this worth sacrificing our family’s peace and presence?” And in that moment, the answer was no. We used that setback as a chance to regroup, reprioritize, and restrategize—and it’s a lesson we’ll carry with us forever.
Lastly, entrepreneurship is just tough. It’s a grind. There are long days, few weekends off, and always something that needs your attention. We’ve had to learn to really savor the quiet moments—those little pockets of calm—to be present with our kids and each other. We’ve put structure in place to carve out intentional family time every morning and evening, because without a plan, it’s so easy for family to be overtaken by business responsibilities.
The journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth it. Every challenge has shaped how we lead, how we love, and how we live. And we wouldn’t trade that growth for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At the heart of everything we do is Level 13 Capital — the portfolio company that oversees and manages our family’s diverse empire of businesses. It serves as the strategic backbone of all our ventures, providing financial oversight, operational guidance, and growth strategies to ensure long-term success and scalability. What sets us apart is our hands-on, heart-forward approach to business. These aren’t just brands — they’re extensions of our family, our values, and the life we’re building.
Our portfolio includes:
Burn Boot Camp – We’re proud franchise partners in this fast-growing fitness brand focused on high-intensity training and building deep community connections. What truly makes Burn special is the personal training in a supportive group setting paired with complimentary childwatch. That last piece is a game-changer — it allows parents, especially moms, to prioritize their health without sacrificing their time with their children. It’s fitness made accessible for families, and that’s a differentiator we’re incredibly proud of.
Project LeanNation – This nutrition-forward brand delivers healthy, protein-packed meals, shakes, and supplements designed to fuel people toward their goals. But PLN isn’t just about food — it’s about transformation. With an upbeat storefront model and personalized in-person nutrition coaching, we’re deeply embedded in the communities we serve. Every day we get to witness lives change as people take ownership of their health with our support. That impact is what drives us.
Playa Bowls – This superfruit bowl franchise is pure joy in a bowl. Known for our vibrant, nutrient-rich acai, pitaya, and coconut bowls, Playa Bowls is all about bringing people together over something fun, delicious, and feel-good. Whether it’s a family outing or a sunny-day hangout with friends, we love seeing our shop become a community gathering spot — and we take pride in offering something that makes people smile.
Level 6 Dawsonville – Our commercial development company is behind real estate ventures like 400 Terminus. This business is all about supporting other small business owners by providing high-quality retail and office spaces. What makes us unique as landlords is that we’ve been on the other side of the table — we are small business owners. We understand the pressure, the passion, and the dreams that come with opening your own space, and it’s been so rewarding to walk alongside fellow entrepreneurs and help them turn their visions into reality.
Through all of this, Level 13 Capital is the centralized powerhouse that keeps everything aligned. It ensures we’re growing smart, staying true to our values, and creating lasting partnerships in the communities we serve. We’re not building a faceless portfolio — we’re building a legacy, one that’s rooted in passion, family, and a relentless drive to do things differently.
What we’re most proud of is how personal this all is to us. We’re raising babies and businesses at the same time, showing our kids what hard work, vision, and community impact look like. And as we continue to scale, our goal is to never lose that personal touch — to remain deeply involved and invested in the people, teams, and communities that make these brands so special.
What matters most to you?
Without a doubt, it’s my family. They are my why behind everything I do. Building an empire with my family for my family is truly the dream. My goal is to create something lasting — a legacy I can one day hand down to my children. I want to build a life that gives us financial freedom, allows us to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve, and gives us the flexibility to be present for the moments that matter. I want to treat our kids to once-in-a-lifetime experiences while showing them what it means to work hard, dream big, and build something with heart.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckenna.m.hartmann/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckenna.m.hartmann/
Image Credits
Images sent via email. Interview portal would not allow me to upload.
