Our Mission & Vision
Elevating Healthcare, One Community at a Time
YouThrive unites modern primary care, mental health services, and genuine compassion to transform patient outcomes—while empowering entrepreneurs with a life-changing business model.
Our Mission:
To deliver modern, personalized healthcare solutions that empower patients, improve access, and prioritize holistic well-being.
To empower driven entrepreneurs and healthcare leaders with a scalable model that expands access to quality care while creating financial freedom, sustainable growth, and lasting community impact.
Our Guiding Values
Compassion • Innovation • Access • Community
Our Leadership:
At YouThrive, we are led by a team of healthcare and business experts who share a passion for redefining what healthcare can be. With decades of combined experience, our leadership team supports franchisees with innovative strategies, proven systems, and a shared commitment to success.
Dr. Laura Drake
Chief Medical Director
Dr. Laura Drake
Chief Medical Director
Dr. Laura Drake is a pioneering leader and innovator in the healthcare industry, transforming the way care is delivered through a groundbreaking clinic model designed to work for everyone. A practicing Pediatrician in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Dr. Drake is deeply rooted in her community, having been educated entirely in Louisiana. In 2019, she and her husband, Ernie Drake, co-founded the rural health clinic that has grown into YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic. Dr. Drake’s approach to success is rooted in a simple yet powerful philosophy: take care of people—staff, medical providers, and patients alike. She created a model that prioritizes people, empowering everyone at YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic to be their best selves. This innovative approach not only serves the community but also allows Dr. Drake the freedom to focus on what matters most—her family. Her visionary model is the cornerstone of the YouThrive brand.
As the Chief Medical Director of YouThrive Family Healthcare Franchise, Dr. Drake oversees all clinic operations to ensure they align with her innovative model. She also ensures that all medical practices meet the highest standards of patient care while adhering to state and federal regulations.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Dr. Laura Drake is a devoted Catholic wife and mother. She and Ernie live in Ponchatoula with their three children, Tj, Gabriel, and Sawyer. Her faith and commitment to her family inspire her drive for excellence, making her a vital and trusted leader at YouThrive.
Ernest G. Drake, III
Co-Founder
Ernest G. Drake, III
Co-Founder
Ernest G. Drake, III, a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, is a distinguished attorney and community leader with a diverse legal background and a passion for service. As a Co-Founder and General Counsel for YouThrive Family Healthcare Franchise, Ernie ensures the business and its franchisees operate with the highest legal standards, safeguarding the organization’s success and stability. A graduate of Loyola Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2008, Ernie also holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Louisiana State University and is an alumnus of Episcopal High School. Since 2008, he has been an integral part of the Drake Williams Law Firm, where he has handled a wide array of legal matters, including real estate, business transactions, personal injury, and property damage insurance claims.
Ernie’s dedication to his community extends beyond his legal practice. He serves as the attorney for the City of Ponchatoula and the Town of Killian, as well as the magistrate for the City of Ponchatoula Mayor’s Court. Ernie resides in Ponchatoula with his wife, Dr. Laura Drake, and their three children, Tj, Gabriel, and Sawyer. In addition to his professional achievements, Ernie enjoys LSU sports, bike riding, deer hunting, and coaching athletics. He and his family are active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula.
Ernie’s unwavering commitment to excellence and his dedication to the YouThrive mission make him an invaluable leader and trusted partner in the company’s growth and success.
Thomas Nieto
Co-Founder & CEO
Thomas Nieto
Co-Founder & CEO
Thomas Nieto is a dynamic and proven leader with a track record of success in building and scaling franchise organizations. As the CEO of YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic Franchise, an emerging brand revolutionizing primary care and mental health services with a focus on total and complete healthcare, Thomas is at the helm of creating a best-in-class franchise organization. His day-to-day mission is to ensure the company is headed in the right direction and supported by a championship-caliber team to achieve extraordinary results. Thomas launched his professional career at AT&T Mobility, where he quickly rose through the ranks from 2005 to 2014, earning several promotions. By the time he left, he was one of the youngest senior leaders in the company, directly overseeing an organization with hundreds of employees.
In 2014, Thomas joined forces with his good friend John Mike Heroman (now a fellow leader at YouThrive) to co-develop the In and Out Smart Repair franchise system as COO. Together, they opened more than 70 locations, with 100+ in development, making it the fastest-growing franchise in its category and the third-largest player in the space at the time. Building on that success, in 2017 Thomas co-founded and served as CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Co., a premier cold-pressed juice, smoothie, and açaí bowl concept.
With an exceptional team, he led the company to unprecedented growth, opening over 37 locations and executing a strategic acquisition of a competitor, solidifying Main Squeeze as the most recognized brand in the space. With a deep background in franchising and a passion for unlocking people’s potential, Thomas excels at building high-performing teams that achieve what was once thought impossible. Under his leadership, YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic Franchise is poised to redefine healthcare franchising, empowering entrepreneurs and setting a new
standard for excellence.
John Mike Heroman
Chief Development Officer, Co-Founder
John Mike Heroman
Chief Development Officer, Co-Founder
John Mike Heroman is a seasoned entrepreneur and an exceptional leader in the franchise industry, with a proven track record of building and scaling successful businesses. As the Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic Franchise, John is responsible for driving the company’s growth while ensuring it partners with the right people who align with the brand’s values and vision. John’s entrepreneurial journey began with In and Out Smart Repair, a groundbreaking concept he founded and scaled from a single location to six corporate locations. Under his leadership, the organization became the third-largest player in the industry at that time, boasting over 75 operational locations and 100+ in development. Demonstrating a franchisee-first approach, John spearheaded the largest merger deal in the industry at the time, prioritizing the betterment and success of his franchisees.
Additionally, John played a pivotal role in franchise development for Salad Station, a thriving salad franchise concept based in Hammond, Louisiana, further solidifying his expertise in the franchise space. Beyond his professional accomplishments, John is a dedicated family man, supported by his incredible wife and their five children. His family remains his foundation as he continues to inspire confidence and success in his professional endeavors.
Omar Herrera
VP of Business Development
Omar Herrera
VP of Business Development
Omar Herrera is an exceptional leader with a strong foundation in franchise development and marketing, bringing extensive experience in scaling multi-location brands and empowering franchisees to build thriving businesses. At Main Squeeze Juice Co., Omar served as both Senior Operations Manager and was then promoted to Marketing Director. Omar spearheaded brand-wide operations and marketing efforts for a network of 33 units across the Southeast. He led a talented team in executing multi-channel campaigns that significantly boosted brand visibility and customer engagement.
His strategic approach also extended to franchisee support, where he provided personalized guidance to implement effective localized marketing strategies, enhancing individual market performance. Prior to this, Omar served as Business Operations Consultant and Marketing Director at Salad Station, where he played a key role in optimizing unit-level economics and driving operational excellence across 26 franchise locations. He led training initiatives, conducted operational audits, and worked closely with franchisees to increase efficiency and establish sustainable business practices. Omar’s hands-on approach ensured that new franchisees were well-equipped to navigate store management, from hiring to inventory control, setting them up for long-term success. Omar holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Southeastern Louisiana University.
His passion for breaking down barriers in healthcare and elevating the franchise model drives his vision for YouThrive. In his role as Vice President of Business Development, Omar is dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals to achieve business ownership, even without prior business expertise. He champions a franchise model that prioritizes quality patient care and sustainable business growth, ensuring that each franchisee thrives both operationally and financially. Omar’s blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and a passion for supporting others makes him an invaluable asset to the YouThrive mission.
Dr. Brittany Adams
Chief Mental Health Officer
Dr. Brittany Adams
Chief Mental Health Officer
Dr. Brittany Adams is a dedicated and accomplished leader in the field of mental health, serving as the Chief Mental Health Officer for YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic Franchise. With a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and licensure as a Professional Counselor in DC, MD, VA, and LA, Dr. Adams brings a wealth of expertise and a compassionate approach to her work.
Over the past decade, Dr. Adams has excelled in various roles, including leadership positions, educational specialist roles, and providing inpatient and outpatient mental health services to individuals of all ages. She specializes in supporting children and teens with mental health misdiagnoses, addressing phase-of-life stressors that lead to anxiety and depressive symptoms, substance dependency, psychosis, couples and family counseling, and working with individuals with mild intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Adams is known for her innovative and holistic approach to treatment, incorporating strength-based, behavioral, and creative arts methodologies to help patients achieve their best outcomes. At YouThrive, she is responsible for ensuring all clinics operate in full compliance with state and federal regulations as well as YouThrive brand standards. Dr. Adams commitment to excellence and her deep passion for mental health care make her an invaluable leader in YouThrive’s mission to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Alec Jeansonne
VP of Training & Compliance
Alec Jeansonne
VP of Training & Compliance
Alec Jeansonne is an extraordinary self-taught leader and a pivotal voice in the rural health clinic community. With a wealth of experience in healthcare consulting and clinic operations, Alec has become one of the most influential figures in shaping rural healthcare.
In 2016, Alec founded Collective Healthcare Solutions LLC (CHCS), a healthcare consulting firm based in the small town of Cottonport, Louisiana. Under his leadership, CHCS has successfully opened over 70 rural health clinics and provides ongoing support and consulting services for more than 80 clinics across Louisiana. His expertise and dedication to rural healthcare led him to establish Louisiana Rural Health Collective, the state’s largest nonprofit organization for rural health clinics. In addition to his consulting work, Alec owns and manages several rural health clinics, further demonstrating his unparalleled experience in developing, supporting, and managing these critical healthcare facilities. His insights and hands-on approach have set a new standard for excellence in rural health clinic operations. Beyond healthcare, Alec’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his diverse ventures.
He owns Gracie United Avoyelles, a martial arts studio in Marksville, Louisiana, where he and his team teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, self-defense, and MMA. He is also a partner in a specialty lumber company that sources rare logs, mills them, and creates custom furniture and renovation materials. Alec’s multi-faceted expertise, coupled with his passion for empowering others, makes him an invaluable partner in the YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic Franchise. His dedication to improving healthcare access in rural areas and his entrepreneurial accomplishments inspire confidence in everyone he works with.
Laney Martin
Clinic Director
Laney Martin
Clinic Director
Laney Martin is a highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professional who serves as the Head of Training and Clinic Operations at YouThrive Family Healthcare Clinic. She is also the Clinic Director of the flagship YouThrive location in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. An exceptional leader, Laney has been instrumental in shaping the YouThrive business and operations model, setting a standard of excellence for the brand.
With 19 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Laney has had the privilege of delivering patient care across a variety of settings. Her career has spanned roles in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Recovery Room, where she developed a deep understanding of acute and critical care. Over the past two years, she has brought her expertise into the clinic setting, discovering a true passion for caring for pediatric patients. In her current role, Laney is responsible for ensuring that every YouThrive clinic is trained to the brand’s high standards with respect to day-to-day operations. She oversees the implementation of YouThrive’s clinic operations model across all locations, ensuring consistency and excellence in patient care and operational efficiency.
As a proven leader and administrator, Laney continues to oversee the daily operations of the flagship YouThrive clinic, ensuring it operates at the highest standards and aligns with the YouThrive mission. Her commitment to excellence and patient-centered care makes her an invaluable part of the team, and her leadership continues to inspire confidence in both staff and patients alike. Laney’s dedication to her work and her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others exemplify the core values of the YouThrive brand.
At YouThrive, we believe that healthcare should address both body and mind—without compromise. That’s why our clinics integrate primary care and mental health under one roof, offering comprehensive, personalized support for patients of all ages.
We envision a future where high-quality healthcare is accessible to everyone, especially in underserved regions. Our clinics are more than treatment centers; they are uplifting spaces that promote genuine well-being.
As a YouThrive franchise owner, you’ll join a dynamic movement dedicated to patient-first principles and innovative clinic models, all while enjoying the flexibility and financial rewards that come with our proven system.
Our Competitive Edge
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Affordable healthcare solutions for all, especially Medicaid and government-insured patients.
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A Modern, welcoming clinic environment with branding that stands out.
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Personalized care plans that foster patient loyalty and trust.
Our Story
From One Visionary Clinic to a Movement
Founded in Louisiana with a passion to change the healthcare landscape, YouThrive was created in response to overcrowded, impersonal clinics that neglected mental health. We knew there had to be a better way—an inclusive model that embraces advanced technology, comfortable modern facilities, and a truly holistic approach to healing.
Our flagship locations demonstrate strong patient satisfaction and outstanding financial returns, paving the way for our franchise expansion into Mississippi and beyond.
Empowering You to Thrive, Not Just Survive.
Be the Change in Healthcare—Start Your Own Clinic Today!
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