Sgros bringing experience to already successful business

By Robert Williams

Editor

Missy and Brailee Sgro, a mother and daughter team who run McKinley Nutrition in Detroit Lakes, are bringing their combined experience and a new look to downtown Frazee when they open Sting Nutrition at the site of the former Healthy Hornet in January.

Brailee has worked in the industry the longest and trained Brandi Latham, the original owner of The Hive in Frazee.

Latham sold the business about the time Missy switched from a 30-year hair stylist career to running McKinley Nutrition and nearly made a play for The Hive.

“I was too late,” said Missy.

Jen Bucholz has run The Healthy Hornet since January of 2024, along with her other businesses: HOL Nutrition in Perham and SiSu Nutrition in New York Mills.

Brailee also trained her mother in the business.

“It had its ups and downs,” they both laughed.

Missy and her husband Dion have three daughters: Brailee, Brinley and Bracie. Bracie also works at McKinley Nutrition.

Dion Sgro is well known from running his DL gym Dion’s Dangerzone, which definitely complements the nutrition store.

“It definitely does,” said Missy. “They know about our shop and obviously I love health and fitness.”

“All of our gym people support us over here,” Brailee said.

McKinley Nutrition opened in 2017; the Sgros took over ownership in January of 2023. In the past year, it has become the sole Herbalife shop in town.

“There were always two,” said Missy.

Herbalife is a multinational multi-level marketing corporation that develops and sells dietary supplements.

Bucholz was running Herbalife in her store, so the transition for customers in Frazee will be easy, much like the sale. Missy did not hesitate to buy into Frazee once she learned there was an opportunity.

“The minute I thought it was going to be available I jumped on it. I was pumped and we’ve been thinking about another one,” Missy said.

There will be new aesthetics. Missy and Brailee have been in Frazee the past few weeks redecorating the interior of the building and getting it ready to open in another few weeks—sometime in January.

“When we’re spending all day here, we want it to be cozy and we want it comfortable for people sitting in here,” said Brailee.

“We also want it comfy for us,” said Missy. “I love when people hang out.”

The family connection continues on the opening block of West Main Avenue. Heather Perrine, owner of The Monarch, is Missy’s niece.

“She’s pumped,” said Missy.

That connection is one of many reasons the Sgros are excited about moving into Frazee’s growing downtown district.

“I grew up in Lake Park so I’m used to a Frazee-type of town,” said Missy. “I’m just impressed with Frazee lately. Let’s keep this going!”

Because The Healthy Hornet had such a strong customer base, those customers can expect a very similar experience. In fact, many have been traveling to DL during the current hiatus between businesses.

“We already know so many; after school the Frazee volleyball team has been in here every day. We get teachers and so many people from Frazee. Lots of people are excited,” Brailee said.

“It’s so fun,” Missy said.

Both Sgros bring a passion to their work and are concentrating on making Sting Nutrition their own. Part of that is being open all but one day per year. The only calendar day the business closes is Christmas Day.

“We don’t close; we like to be open as much as we can,” Brailee said. 

Part of that strategy is because of how much time both women put into the business, both during and after work hours.

“You can’t just clock in and out; you clock out and you keep on working,” said Brailee.

“My brain is always running—what can I do to make it better?” Missy said.

The Sgros already received a warm welcome from future and current Frazee customers when they announced the takeover on social media in late November.

“Since we posted that day…I never expected those responses,” said Missy.

The Sgros are building on the success they have created. In Minnesota, McKinley Nutrition is currently the No. 2-ranked Herbalife shop in the state.

The exact opening date of Sting Nutrition will be announced on social media in January.