BusinessWeek Logo
Ramona Russell, Founder, Uptown Liz

Istvan Banyai

Ramona Russell, Founder, Uptown Liz

A one-woman Web site in Sacramento, Calif., that promotes products affiliated with charities; $10,000 in revenues to date

Stress Buster: Distance Running

Why It Works: Russell says long distance running alleviates the stress of a startup that’s not yet making money, but has deep personal meaning to her. Russell started the site to honor her fashion conscious sister, Liz, who died of breast cancer at age 28. “When I’m running, I might focus on a memory or an event, and sometimes I’m in a kind of hypnotic zone,” says Russell, who has completed six marathons. “It gives me great focus and energy, and it helps me sleep better.” Hourlong runs help ward off cabin fever when you work from home, she says. “I just leave the house with nothing and run.”