Andrew Zanowski believes running a business is like tackling a puzzle.

“It’s ever-changing, rarely predictable and you can never completely solve it,” says the 23-year-old Fontbonne University business major.  Zanowski opened his own business in March 2006 — a franchise of Max Muscle Sports Nutrition — in Maryland Heights, and he already has plans to open three more stores. The sports supplement and nutrition franchise has more than 100 stores across the country.

“I was bitten by the bug and wanted to make something happen,” Zanowski says. “This has challenged me like nothing else. It’s hard to bite your nails and be dependent on people coming into the store. Even though some days are better than others, it’s exciting. I absolutely love it.”

Standing in his store amid fat burners, vitamins and protein powders, Zanowski describes himself as a “late starter” since he didn’t enter college immediately after high school. “I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do right away,” he says. But Zanowski is certainly making up for any lost time. And one of his Fontbonne professors sees a lot of potential in the young entrepreneur.

Rick Voytas, assistant professor of business, taught Zanowski in a managerial finance class and currently sits on an informal “board” established as a resource for the new business owner.  “Andrew is exceptional because he has two of the rarest professional qualities: a sharp intellect with a work ethic to match,” Voytas says. “He is extremely thorough in everything he does, and he is always thinking.”

Currently, Zanowski is enrolled in the co-op program at Fontbonne, which allows him to earn college credit while he runs his business.  “I know his experience will help him apply classroom lessons to the reality of the business world.  When he learns about the theories of management, accounting, finance and marketing in the business school, he will be able to take that knowledge into the shop and make it work,” Voytas says.

Max Muscle was a natural fit for Zanowski, a former personal trainer. “I knew I wanted to own a business so I looked for a franchise that fit my lifestyle,” he explains.  “This is a way to be in business and help people as well. I want to help people see results.”

In fact, Zanowski says his not-so-secret dream is to be a motivational speaker — and with his enthusiasm and commitment to what he does, it’s not hard to imagine. “I think that would be the ultimate way to help people better their lives,” he says. Until that dream is realized, Zanowski plans to learn all he can about his business as well as explore other investment opportunities.

He is quick to point out he couldn’t do all of this alone. “A successful person knows when to ask for help,” says Zanowski, who wrote his own business plan, markets his company and is solely responsible for personnel decisions — he currently has three employees.

“My dad (a silent partner in the venture) set up meetings with various business people. I was able to pick their brains and learn how business works from many different perspectives. It was very educational and very interesting,” he says. “And the support of my parents has been essential.”

When not at his store, Zanowski likes to weight lift, read — he has two bookcases full of books on business as well as spirituality — and spend time with his friends and family. As for the puzzle that is the business world, Zanowski will continue to dream of ways to solve it.