After 25 years in asset management, Tom Kanyok was no stranger to the corporate rollercoaster. But eventually, the grind of constant restructuring and relocations pushed him to think differently about his future. A chance conversation with a friend over a beer led him to try cryotherapy at Restore – and it changed everything. Fast forward to today and Tom owns three Restore Hyper Wellness locations: two in North Pittsburgh, PA and one in Rochester, NY.
Restore is expanding the limits of personal health and performance, helping people do more of what they love through personalized, science-backed therapies. With over 115 locations worldwide, services range from core offerings like Cryotherapy and Red Light Therapy to IV therapy, skin health services, medical services, and performance medicine.
Here’s how Tom went from a cautious customer to an “all-in” franchisee…
What was your NOPE moment – the moment you knew corporate life wasn’t for you?
I spent 25 years in asset management, working for some pretty big firms. It always felt like I was at the mercy of whatever was happening with the company – whether we got bought out or reorganized, I was either kept, moved to a new state, or let go.
And then there was the “reset” on my goals every year – not the most motivating process. Early in my career, a colleague told me he was looking for a new job because he’d had a killer two-month run at the end of the previous year. He beat his targets so well that repeating it was nearly impossible, and the pressure to do it again was too intense. But that’s often part of the corporate “game.”
Then one day I grabbed a beer with a friend who worked at Restore Corporate. Honestly? I wasn’t even sold on trying the services at first. But something about what he said stuck with me, so I gave cryotherapy a shot. And wow. I used to battle tendonitis every year, especially during golf season – Advil, Icy Hot, elbow sleeves, cortisone shots, the works. After trying cryo, the pain just never came back. Nothing else changed. Same golf trips, same swings. That got my attention.
Later, when I was asked if I wanted to become a franchisee, the answer came easier. Restore had helped me, and I knew wellness was a growing space. And by then, I knew I wanted to go all-in with something I believed in.
How did you take the leap into entrepreneurship?
I talked to everyone I trusted – my wife, family, friends who were CEOs or owned businesses, and other Restore franchisees. The more I asked, the more everything pointed in one direction: do it!
It just made sense. It felt like the right fit, the right time, and the right business. Restore had impacted me personally, and I was passionate about what they were doing. Once I committed, things moved fast – but it felt right every step of the way.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur – and what keeps you going?
Honestly, I didn’t fully realize how much I wanted to control my own destiny until I stepped out of corporate. COVID gave me a taste of what it was like not to wear a suit every day, and I didn’t want to give that up. Even though the world’s shifted and some companies have loosened up, I wanted full control – over my schedule, over what I focus on, and yeah, even what I wear.
I also love the idea of building something for my family. Hopefully it becomes a legacy – something I pass down to my kids. That possibility fuels me.
Another big piece? My team. Watching them grow, take ownership, and even move on to new roles or ventures – that’s incredibly rewarding. I get to be part of their growth story, and I love that.
And of course, the work we do at Restore is meaningful. We’re helping people live healthier, fuller lives. That never gets old.
If you could give one game-changing piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
If you’re considering entrepreneurship, don’t wait. The sooner you start, the more time you have to build something great. And the success that comes with it? It can be pretty surprising. But you’ve got to be ready for sacrifice. It takes time. There will be challenges. Be passionate and patient – and chase the challenge.
And if you’ve already started? Stay close to your business. Things can shift quickly. Just last month, one of my studios looked like it would close the month low. But with the right attention and adjustments, we ended up landing exactly where we needed to be. That only happens when you’re tuned in and fully engaged.
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Tom’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the right opportunity starts with a single conversation – and that it pays to stay curious. More stories like his coming soon!