We had the good fortune of connecting with Lance Evbuomwan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lance, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I played Football in College at ASU and at UTEP. One of the main things I missed from my college athlete experience was having an athletic trainer that would stretch be before and after workouts. I used to HATE stretching so they were the reason I was able to keep performing on the field, they would do it for me!

I had been telling my wife for years “I wish there was a place I could go just to get stretched, kinda like how you go for a massage, but just to be stretched really good”

At this time we were expecting our first daughter so it wasn’t an ideal time to start another business but it was always in the back of my mind. 3 kids later and post Covid we decided that the time is now to start this company. (I had started my own youth travel basketball organization and had been running it for about 6 years, so I had that experience under my belt)

I knew I wanted to bring the college training table to the public so they could experience the feeling of a GREAT stretch!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After college I was really at a loss for what I wanted to do. I knew I had so much potential but I didn’t know what direction to go in. I ended up working as a youth basketball coach in San Diego. I discovered my love of coaching and found a new challenge! When my wife and I had our first daughter we moved back to our hometown of Redlands and I realized that there was a lack of basketball youth development. I was inspired to start my own travel basketball organization! I started Inland Empire United Basketball in 2016 with 2 teams and we’ve been steadily growing since! It was not easy, I had to teach myself a million new skills that I definitely didn’t learn in school. But I was determined to make it a success and build something for my community.

After starting IEU I was hired as a PE teacher and Varsity Head Coach at Arrowhead Christian Academy. This has been a great experience because I really grew and realized my strengths and the direction I wanted to go in my career. I wanted to be GREAT!

I pivoted and stepped away from teaching to bet on myself and my idea of my stretch business. During my off season I started putting my business plan together, found my location, developed my logo and set off on my next business venture!

We named it StretchX because we offer stretching and the “X” represents the exponential potential of services we plan to provide! We want to be the place you go to work on your mobility, decrease pain, and get the most out of life!

February we will be at our 1 year mark and it has been a rollercoaster! Having a brick and mortar business is very different than my basketball organization. But I continue learning and growing every day!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friends were visiting me in Redlands a few of my stops would include Cheesewalla for one of my favorite local gourmet grilled cheese shops in Redlands (owned by one of my best friends) Next would be the Golf course, since COVID I have added Golfling to my sports resume! I love competing so golf has been my new challenge that I do about 1-2 times a week! After golfing we’d have to get a stretch at StretchX, stretching after a long golf game is the best. And finally I’d have to take them to Look movie theater because I love watching a movie and having dinner at the same time. I love this movie theater, their service is great and the food is FIRE!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to recognize my parents for a lot of my success! My parents immigrated to US, from Nigeria, in the late 80’s with very little money but with a dream of a better life for them and their family. My mom is one of the hardest working women I have ever met in my life. She’s always worked full time and overtime to make sure we never went without. My dad inspired my entrepreneurial spirit. He has had multiple businesses and always taught me to work hard on your dreams.

Website: Www.stretchXco.com

Instagram: _stretchX

Facebook: Stretch X

Yelp: StretchX

Youtube: _stretchX

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