Lannie Davis is a registered nurse and lead practitioner at Balanced Health & Allergy, an alternative and holistic medicine practitioner on Hubbell Avenue in Des Moines.

Please tell us about your background.

I grew up in Des Moines and attended Lincoln High School, then eventually Iowa State University for my bachelor's degree. Later in life, I returned to school to get my nursing license and chose to work in the traditional medical setting with Methodist West and Unity Point at Home.

I had been trained in Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET), but just couldn't ever walk away from a full-time job to start something that so few people have heard of. After a few years of long hours and missing kids activities, it became obvious that a change was needed. With the encouragement of my husband, I left that setting to open my own business to help others while still being there for my kids and their activities.   

Please tell us about your business.

Balanced Health & Allergy opened in June 2018. I use NAET, an alternative health treatment method that is said to work on all types of allergies or sensitivities, including food, environmental, chemical, etc. I use a combination of muscle testing and acupressure to correct the body's response to different allergens and sensitivities. Because of the non-invasive approach, it can work great for infants and kids, but can also be used by all ages. I have worked with people as young as 6 weeks old and as mature as 92 years old. I also offer InBody Complete Body Composition Testing and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I am so thankful that my faith has led me to run my own business and help others. I absolutely love working with the little kids. It’s funny to see them nervous on their first visit but then totally relaxed and smiling after they realize that nothing I do hurts. Even after six years, it still makes me cry when someone tells me how much better they feel or how different treatments have helped them.

Why did you join NAWBO Iowa and what do you appreciate about it?

I was invited to a NAWBO event last year that was being held at Pennie Carroll's Carriage House. I was allowed to join NAWBO at that time and decided it would be a good networking opportunity.

I love that this group is all women business owners. Nobody else can truly understand the complexity of being a business owner and mom better than these women.  Last fall — the day of the Women's Business Owner of the Year Luncheon — my 7-year-old daughter had a day off from school. She accompanied me to the event, and it was very encouraging to hear other women there be so understanding and supportive of those types of childcare challenges that can arise day-to-day. That day was truly an encouragement to me.

What does NAWBO mean to you?

To me, NAWBO is a group of women supporting other women in what we do. We understand each other and the challenges we each face. I love being able to shop local, but enjoy it even more when I can find other women-owned businesses that I can support.

What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

Not having to move locations! I’ve had to move my office yearly, until last year when I settled into my current location. I am looking forward to continuing to grow my business, and I really want to get more involved with NAWBO and attend more networking opportunities.