Business is booming at B.A.M.!

The odds seemed stacked against Ashley Fockler when she decided to open a new restaurant in North Canton at just 21 years old. And it wasn’t just any restaurant she wanted to open — she and partner Mike Roberts wanted to create a different type of business that served healthier food. Six years later, BAM! Healthy Cuisine is going strong. We caught up with Ashley to do a Q&A about her experiences — and what else she has planned.

Ashley Fockler approached opening a business the same way she approaches her daily workouts — full steam ahead.

“I was young. I said, ‘Let’s do it!’ ”

At just 21 years old, Ashley and partner Mike Roberts were working in personal training when Mike had the idea to open a restaurant that sold only healthful food.

“Not knowing the 99.9 percent failure rate of restaurants, we sat down and came up with a menu together,” Ashley said, laughing. “We didn’t have a lot of money — it was just something we knew we could put our heart and souls in.”

The couple opened a takeout restaurant called BAM! Healthy Cuisine in North Canton, and despite that intimidating restaurant failure rate (actually closer to 60 percent than 99.9), just celebrated their sixth anniversary.

Business is so brisk, they are contemplating moving to a larger site.

Q. Did you always love cooking?

A. My whole family are all awesome cooks. Thinking back, I’ve always cooked, baked, but until I opened the restaurant, I didn’t know I had such a passion for it.

Q. What do you cook at home?

A. Burgers, bruschetta. But I’m happy with some wine, cheese and bread.

Q. What surprised you about opening the business?

A. It’s not easy. A lot of things I had to learn the hard way. Hiring and firing — I never thought it would be such a stressful thing. And it’s such a challenge having to have your hands in so many different areas of the work.

Q. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

A. I have a list!

Q. What advice would you give a 20-something who wants to open a business?

A. Your life will be totally different. You better be ready to work your ass off. There’s a lot of dedication needed. If someone calls off, it falls on you.

Q. What advantage did you have starting young?

A. You’re on 24/7. If I had children or was older when I started, it would have been much more difficult. But for me, it was perfect.

Q. What’s the best thing about running a restaurant?

A. The repeat business. When they tell you they enjoy the things you create. I’m a pleaser.

Q. You’ve accomplished so much, so early. Do you have additional goals?

A. Our location is very limited — no parking, no seating, no air conditioning, all working against us — so we want to move — stay in North Canton, but get something more accommodating for our customers. And beyond that, we’d love to franchise. It never hurts to dream, right?