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When Stephanie Sisk and Veronica McPike founded Merit Weight Loss, they weren’t just starting a business, they were fulfilling a vision to transform the weight loss experience into something supportive, sustainable and personal. As nurse practitioners formerly working together in a large healthcare organization, they saw firsthand the gaps in care, and they decided to do something about it.

"We felt like we weren’t able to provide the quality care we wanted,” Stephanie shares. "Patients weren’t getting enough time with providers, especially for something as complex as weight loss. We knew there was a better way."

Building a Vision of Support

From day one, Stephanie and Veronica built Merit around a central question: What do people need to succeed? After years of listening to the frustrations and needs of people struggling with weight loss, they knew the answers.

"One of our goals was to allow for frequent check-ins," Veronica explains. "And people need a space where they feel important and supported. That’s why our environment doesn’t feel medical; it feels like home."

Stephanie agrees, adding, "Most of our clients tell us how motivated they feel after their visits. That’s the heart of what we do: making people feel valued, removing guilt, and showing them that weight loss is about holistic support."

From Vision to Reality

Neither Stephanie nor Veronica had business experience when they launched Merit. With help from resources like Washburn Small Business Development Center and Go Topeka, they learned everything from budgeting and taxes, to hiring and navigating insurances.

After the two got their LLC developed, they walked over to Envista Federal Credit Union to discuss a business account.

“We knew we wanted to do business somewhere local, with a strong community feel,” Stephanie says. “As a brand new business, we had a lot of questions about where the best place was to get started. The Envista commercial team walked us through all our options with ease, making the process completely seamless.”

“They answered all our questions and helped us open an account, order checks, and get debit cards all in the same day,” Veronica adds. “It also feels special that every time we walk into an Envista location, they know us by name.”

With the business basics under their belts, Veronica and Stephanie opened Merit in June 2022 and quickly grew their client base. In fact, almost 40 of their clients were driving to Topeka from the Kansas City area to see them. Following that cue from the market, the duo decided to open a location in Leawood in June 2024.

“We returned to Envista to open an account, and the team once again went above and beyond,” Stephanie says. “Not only did they help us set up a new business account, but also reviewed our existing account and suggested adjustments to maximize dividends, which was a pleasant surprise. Managing both accounts has been effortless thanks to Envista’s tools, which allow us to easily toggle between locations and keep track of everything in one place.”

Having the banking and financials of the business taken care of is much appreciated by Stephanie and Veronica as they work through the new obstacles that come with a second location. One such hurdle is building their name and reputation in the community. While word-of-mouth marketing has served them well in Topeka, they know it may take a bit more promotion to have a similar response in Leawood.

"You have to gain a lot of trust," Veronica notes. "People are paying to see you for something deeply personal, so transparency is key.”

What Makes Merit Unique?

Merit stands out by offering more value for less. Stephanie and Veronica modeled their pricing on specialty co-pays and an overpriced industry, but added much more personalized care. The program offers weekly weight checks, monthly provider visits, and a staff of positive, uplifting professionals.

“I think for every one of our clients we have – hopefully – shown and taught them that their weight struggles are not always about willpower and it is not their fault,” Stephanie says.“ That is what I love about our whole program: taking away the guilt and shame that society has put on them.”

“That, combined with honesty and transparency is huge,” Veronica adds.

Merit also emphasizes realistic, sustainable strategies. "You don’t have to give up pizza and margaritas, if that’s what you enjoy,” Stephanie emphasizes. “We teach clients how to incorporate the foods they love into a healthy lifestyle. That’s the key to keeping the weight off."

Veronica and Stephanie are also open to expanding their offerings as they see the need.

“Our intention has always been to stay true to what we’re good at, which is weight loss and health,” Stephanie explains. “So, we decided whatever we added into our services would complement that.”

For many people, hormone testing and replacement is a game changer when it comes to weight loss. In addition to weight loss services, Merit also offers weight loss medication, vitamin injections, hormone evaluation labs and hormone replacement therapy.

A Growing Community

In just two years, Merit has grown to two locations, a 12-member team and a thriving client base.

“We have people who have been with us since the day we opened,” Veronica says, “which shows me we have built something people need and value.”

In return, the community has shown up to support this small business. Merit has earned Topeka Community’s Choice Awards two years in a row —a testament to its impact. Merit clients have lost a combined total of more than 20,000 pounds – a testament to its effectiveness!

“Topeka has been like a nice, warm hug,” Stephanie smiles. “Our clients have really embraced the healthier way to lose weight.”

Looking Ahead

Stephanie and Veronica dream of expanding to smaller communities where their approach is needed.

"People deserve quality, affordable care," Stephanie says. “There are not a lot of places that offer what we do, at the price point we do, for the value we do.”

For Stephanie and Veronica, the success of Merit isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about changing lives.

"The emotional turmoil people go through with weight loss impacts so many aspects of a person’s quality of life," Stephanie reflects. "Our goal is to take away the guilt, provide real solutions, and build a supportive community."

Trying to be a healthier you?

Stephanie and Veronica offer these basic weight loss tips:

• Drink 80 oz. of water every day.
• Eat protein at every snack and meal.
• Eat fiber throughout the day, aiming for 20g per day.

"If you’re not poopin’, you’re not losin’," Stephanie says with a laugh. Good sources of fiber include nuts, beans, high fiber tortillas, vegetables and fruits.

• Incorporate realistic physical activity. For example, do 10 squats every time you go to the bathroom.

At Merit Weight Loss, modern medicine truly meets classic support and accountability. And for the clients who walk through their doors, that combination makes all the difference.

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