Neika Thesalus
Neika Thesalus is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of Compliance IQ, an AI-powered compliance and reputation protection platform designed specifically for the food and beverage industry. Through technology, auditing expertise, and operational strategy, she helps restaurant owners safeguard food safety, monitor customer sentiment, and protect their brand reputation and profitability.
As the founder of New Woman LLC, Neika is building solutions that merge operational intelligence with real-world business challenges. She also serves in operational leadership within the restaurant sector, bringing extensive experience in restaurant management, compliance oversight, and multi-unit operations.
Neika’s journey in the food industry began humbly as a crew member at McDonald’s in Nanuet, New York. Early in her career, she was inspired by a general manager, Elizabeth Alfaro, whose leadership ignited her ambition to pursue a path in management. From that moment forward, Neika committed herself to growth. She quickly advanced through the ranks, beginning as a shift manager at McDonald’s and progressing to general manager roles and leadership positions across several major restaurant brands. and eventually to multi-unit general manager.
Through these roles, she witnessed firsthand the operational pressures restaurant owners face: maintaining food safety standards, managing staff, protecting brand reputation, and responding to customer feedback in real time. These experiences became the catalyst for creating Compliance IQ, a platform designed to provide restaurant operators with the tools, automation, and visibility needed to stay compliant while protecting their businesses.
Today, Compliance IQ bridges the gap between operational management, regulatory compliance, and customer experience, empowering restaurant leaders to proactively manage risk while strengthening trust with their customers.
Neika credits much of her entrepreneurial growth to founder-focused programs such as One Day and Peachscore, which have allowed her to refine her business model, connect with investors, and accelerate the development of her platform.
Her work in the food and beverage sector has been recognized through awards for increasing restaurant sales and improving customer retention. At the core of her leadership philosophy is empathy-driven problem-solving, approaching challenges from the perspective of both business owners and customers to design solutions that create lasting value.
Beyond her entrepreneurial work, Neika is committed to service and community impact. She volunteers with the American Red Cross and actively contributes to conversations that support innovation, leadership, and growth within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through her work, Neika continues to advocate for smarter operational systems, stronger food safety culture, and technology that empowers business owners to lead with confidence.
• ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems Certified
• Specialist Auditor Certification
• ISO 22000 Lead Internal Auditor
• Quality Management System Certified
• HIPPA COMPLIANCE CERTIFIED
• National Environmental Health Association
HACCP Certification
• Certified ServSafe Proctor & Instructor
• Human Factors in Aviation Certification
• William Jewell College – Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration, Management and Operations (In Progress)
• Food & Beverage Industry Award (2023)
Recognized for increasing restaurant sales by 10% and significantly improving customer retention.
• Startup Founder Member — Peachscore
• Founder Member — Oneday Entrepreneur Community
• Participant — Entrepreneur of Impact with Daymond John
• Volunteer — American Red Cross
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my growth to the founder communities that have supported my journey, particularly One Day and Peachscore. These programs have given me the opportunity to step into rooms I once only imagined being in rooms filled with founders, investors, and innovators.
For the first time, I was able to present my vision and speak about the platform I’m building in front of investors who understand what it takes to bring an idea to life. Those experiences pushed me to think bigger, speak with confidence, and believe that the solutions I am building can truly make an impact in the industry.
Success, for me, is never a solo journey. It is built through the people, communities, and mentors who create the environment where founders are encouraged to grow, challenge themselves, and bring their ideas into reality.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have ever received is that entrepreneurship requires the courage to step outside your comfort zone and the resilience to fail forward.
Failure is not the opposite of success, It is part of the process of building something meaningful. As entrepreneurs, we hear “no” many times before we hear “yes.” What matters is the ability to keep moving forward, learning from every challenge, and believing in the vision even when others may not see it yet.
That mindset has shaped the way I approach every opportunity and every obstacle in my journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: do not wait for permission to lead.
There will always be moments when you question yourself, especially in industries where leadership roles are still evolving. But your perspective, your voice, and your ideas are valuable.
Build your knowledge, surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow, and most importantly, stay committed to your vision. The path may not always be easy, but the impact you create will be worth it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing two of the most important roles in my life: being a mother and being an entrepreneur.
Building a company requires time, focus, and relentless dedication. At the same time, being a parent means showing up for your family and creating a stable, loving environment for your children.
There are days when that balance feels incredibly challenging. But it also serves as my greatest motivation. Everything I build is driven by the desire to create a better future not only for my business and the industry I serve but also for my family.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value that guides both my professional and personal life is empathy.
I believe the best solutions come from understanding problems from multiple perspectives not just our own. When I approach a challenge, I try to see it from the viewpoint of the customer, the business owner, and the people affected by the outcome.
That perspective allows me to design solutions that are not only practical but meaningful. In business and in life, true impact comes from understanding others and creating solutions that genuinely serve them.