Lay of The Land #245 Anne Hartnett (HCO Partners, Harness Cycle, The Vitrolite) — Brick and Mortar Entrepreneurship and Neighborhood Revitalization
Anne Hartnett is a neighborhood developer and entrepreneur focused on creating spaces where community, well-being, and small business can thrive. She is the founder of Harness Cycle and CEO of HCO Partners, a Cleveland-based real estate and placemaking company that develops and operates neighborhood-focused commercial properties.
Anne began her career as a software consultant. After years of traveling and being inspired by vibrant neighborhood cultures in cities like New York and Minneapolis, she decided to open a brick-and-mortar fitness studio in the heart of Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.
In 2013, she opened Harness Cycle, a boutique cycling studio built around the idea that movement can connect communities. Following its success, Harness expanded to a second location in Downtown Cleveland in 2017. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced both studios to close in 2020, Anne recalibrated her business model and began focusing on ownership of the spaces where her businesses operate.
In 2022, Anne co-founded HCO Partners, a real estate development and operating company focused on supporting independent brick-and-mortar entrepreneurs. Through HCO, she acquired and redeveloped The Vitrolite Building in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood. The building now houses a collection of locally owned businesses including Harness Cycle, Soul Yoga, Patron Saint, The Matriarchy, and LUUMA Wellness Suites, forming a collaborative ecosystem centered around well-being, entrepreneurship, and community.
Anne has been recognized for her leadership and vision by being named to Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40, Smart Business Women in Business, and Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People, and she was a contestant on CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles. She lives in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland with her husband Andy, a Cleveland Firefighter and their four children.
00:00: The Entrepreneurial Journey
07:45: Finding Opportunity
10:47: The Rise of Boutique Fitness
13:59: Creating a Community
19:06: Scaling a Business
24:44: Neighborhood Revitalization
28:42: Brick and Mortar
32:56: Small Businesses
35:39: Operator to Developer
41:43: Through Retail
46:03: Advocacy for Brick and Mortar Businesses
50:33: The Future of Brick and Mortar Entrepreneurship
54:48: Redefining Success in Entrepreneurship
01:01:38 Outro
-----
LINKS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-hartnett/
https://hcopartners.com/
https://harnesscycle.com/
https://www.thevitrolite.com/
-----
SPONSOR:
Cerity Partners
Cerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. They understand how to manage the total picture of wealth, both personal and professional. Cerity Partners has a unified team of specialists who collaborate on almost every aspect of a client’s financial life, including business ownership. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.
Learn more at ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.
Roundstone Insurance
Roundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.
Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.
Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/
-----
Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa
Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/
Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland