Better Future: Pioneering Growth and Community in San Diego and Beyond
As you walk or drive around San Diego, it’s nearly impossible to avoid encountering a Better Future brand. While the name of this private equity firm might not make sense, the impact of the brands it has nurtured is unmistakable. And it’s all down to two San Diego locals, Shannon and Billy Canu, who have […]
As you walk or drive around San Diego, it’s nearly impossible to avoid encountering a Better Future brand. While the name of this private equity firm might not make sense, the impact of the brands it has nurtured is unmistakable.
And it’s all down to two San Diego locals, Shannon and Billy Canu, who have built a company renowned for reshaping small businesses and transforming communities. Through BetterFuture, the Canus’ vision is straightforward yet deeply impactful: to identify local companies brimming with heart, potential, and passion, and to assist them in scaling, growing, and thriving within their communities.
Fox and Jane Salons
Since its inception, Better Future has been behind the creation and expansion of some of the most recognizable brands in Southern California. They include Renegade, a high-energy group fitness studio; YogaBox, a beloved San Diego staple for yogis of all levels; Maverick’sBarbershop, a modern grooming experience; FoxandJaneSalon, a top-tier hair salon; MellowMassage and SkinHabit, a leading facial studio. What sets Better Future apart is its ability to cultivate a sense of community and belonging in every concept it touches.
Their success story began in San Diego, where they opened the first Renegade in 2017. With just one location, their commitment to crafting exceptional member experiences helped them rapidly scale to multiple regional studios, while retaining core local community values.
The same story followed with Yoga Box, which quickly became a go-to destination for seasoned yogis and those new to the practice. These brands thrive in San Diego and have expanded into New York, Phoenix, Chicago, New Jersey, Denver and Toronto, reflecting Better Future’s adaptability and innovative business strategies.
Mellow Massage
Community: In a World laden with corporate culture, a company’s mission seems to transcend mere business development!
It would seem the spaces are catalysts for personal transformations with one studio manager of Yoga Box noting; “It’s a regular occurrence to see members of our studios sharing heartfelt stories about how our brands have helped them on so many levels, whether we’re challenging you to grow or just to be there with you on your journey.” It speaks to more than just physical or aesthetic improvements; reflecting deep emotional and social growth. Which in my opinion, is something we’re all striving for!
“Our businesses are more than just places to work out or receive a service; they are diverse community hubs where lasting friendships are forged, and personal breakthroughs happen regularly,” Shannon Canu explains. “Hearing how our community has embraced these spaces as their own, finding within them the support and strength to transform their lives, truly encapsulates what we strive to build.”
Yoga Box
Giving back:
Since 2017, Better Future has significantly enriched communities by creating thousands of jobs across the country, including getting involved in local events, donation drives and more.
“We believe in fostering spaces that are not just businesses but hubs for human connection,” Shannon Canu asserts. “Our goal is to leave the communities we serve better than we found them—whether by creating a dynamic fitness culture, offering a tranquil wellness retreat, or providing a stylish new haircut. Every venture we undertake is an extension of our belief that people thrive when equipped with the right tools, resources, and supportive environments.”
This spirit of community uplift is at the heart of Better Future’s mission, which transcends the boundaries of wellness, beauty, and fitness industries. The company’s ultimate ambition is deeply personal—transforming entrepreneurial dreams into thriving businesses and enduring legacies.
Building on a strong culture of giving back, Better Future remains dedicated to empowering other business owners by providing comprehensive mentorship, strategic financial investments, and hands-on operational guidance. “We didn’t get here alone,” Billy Canu reflects. “Our passion for collaboration is why we actively partner with entrepreneurs eager to elevate their businesses. We seek out not just innovative ideas, but passionate individuals determined to create something truly extraordinary.”
Yoga Box
Looking to the future:
As Better Future sets its sights forward, the company is keenly focused on broadening its geographical footprint across the United States. With an ambitious goal to establish a location in every state, Better Future aims to bring its successful model of business revitalization and community development to new markets nationwide.
Billy Canu explains, “Our future is about presence and accessibility. By expanding into every state, we’re looking to make our services and community impact universally accessible. This isn’t just about growing our network—it’s about weaving our philosophy of empowerment and local engagement into the fabric of every community we touch.”
This strategic expansion is designed to replicate the success seen in cities like San Diego and New York, adapting a model to the unique needs and cultures of different regions. The ultimate goal is clear: to ensure that no matter where you are in the country, a Better Future location is part of your community, helping to turn local dreams into national legacies.
Mellow Massage
Commitment to Giving Back
Since 2017, Better Future has significantly enhanced communities by not only creating thousands of jobs nationwide but also by actively participating in local events and organizing donation drives. “We aim to leave the communities we serve better than we found them,” Shannon asserts, “whether it’s by fostering a dynamic fitness culture, providing a serene wellness retreat, or delivering a fresh, stylish haircut. Each venture we undertake is an extension of our belief in empowering individuals through proper tools, resources, and supportive environments.”
This ethos of community elevation is deeply embedded in Better Future’s DNA, influencing its engagements across the wellness, beauty, and fitness sectors. Their ultimate ambition is profoundly personal—turning entrepreneurial dreams into thriving businesses and lasting legacies.
Better Future
What’s next? Everywhere.
As Better Future sets its sights forward, the company is keenly focused on broadening its geographical footprint across the United States. With an ambitious goal to establish a location in every state, Better Future aims to bring its successful model of business revitalization and community development to new markets nationwide.
Billy Canu explains, “Our future is about presence and accessibility. By expanding into every state, we’re looking to make our services and community impact universally accessible. This isn’t just about growing our network—it’s about weaving our philosophy of empowerment and local engagement into the fabric of every community we touch.”
This ambitious expansion seeks to replicate their proven model in diverse locales, tailored to meet the unique needs and cultures of various regions. The ultimate aim is straightforward: integrate a Better Future location into communities nationwide, turning local aspirations into national success stories.
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Studio S
AUGUST 28, 2026
The Art of Slowing Down at Little Frenchie
Inspired by the effortless charm of French cafés, this taste of France on Orange Avenue invites guests to embrace the simple pleasure of taking their time.
Strolling down Orange Avenue on a sunny afternoon, you’ll hear the hum of beach cruisers rolling by and visitors making their way toward the Hotel del Coronado. Dogs pause to greet one another on the sidewalk, palm trees sway overhead, and for a moment, you’re convinced you’re living inside the postcard from the gift shop you just passed.
Then the scene shifts. Towering white columns, black café awnings and gold-trimmed windows frame Little Frenchie, where woven bistro chairs spill onto the sidewalk and servers deliver bubbling crocks of French onion soup. The scent of caramelized onions and melted Gruyère is practically an invitation to ask, “How long for a table for two?”
That feeling of pulling up a chair and staying awhile is exactly what inspired Little Frenchie. French cuisine has a reputation for feeling a little intimidating, but the restaurant is rewriting that narrative with food and wine that feels approachable.
“Sometimes when you read a French menu, you come across words you can’t even pronounce,” David Spatafore, the owner of Little Frenchie, says. “We wanted to create a restaurant where people felt comfortable.”
Little Frenchie was designed to capture the spirit of the French sidewalk cafés that inspired it. Dating back to 1917, the space already carried the charm of a Parisian bistro, with architectural details that felt more at home on a European street corner than in Coronado. The team saw an opportunity to create a restaurant that matched the character of the space while filling a gap in the neighborhood.
The result is a French restaurant that honors tradition without taking itself too seriously.
At Little Frenchie, classic French techniques are at the heart of the menu, but there is always room for creativity. A cassoulet featuring Toulouse sausage and duck confit pays homage to the recipes and regions that inspired it, while a rich hot chocolate made with ingredients imported from France brings a taste of French café culture to Coronado.
The team loves finding unexpected ways to make familiar dishes feel new. A burger becomes a showstopper when it is finished tableside with melted raclette, while a French Dip gets elevated with prime beef and Wagyu makes its way into the burgers. Even Eggs Benedict gets a French twist, swapping the traditional English muffin for a buttery croissant. The GB&J, Little Frenchie’s take on a grilled cheese, brings that same playful approach with seasonal jam and French Brie layered into a comforting classic.
Nearly everything at Little Frenchie is made from scratch, with ingredients carefully chosen to match the restaurant’s standards. Even the bread receives special attention. Each morning, the team sends a car to Prager Brothers Artisan Bread to pick up freshly baked loaves, ensuring every element of the meal reflects the restaurant’s commitment to quality.
Wine is woven into the experience just as naturally as the food. Inspired by the effortless pairings found in French cafés and bistros, Little Frenchie’s by-the-glass selection invites guests to sip their way through different regions and discover new favorites without the pressure of knowing all the rules.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
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