Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chante Tonia, Founder of Whole Body Natural Wellness Center, located in Saddle Brook, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I help women balance their hormones to improve menstrual health, energy, and sleep. I am a licensed Naturopathic Doctor that believes in the body's capability to heal when obstacles to cure such as poor diet, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle are addressed. Trained in herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, clinical nutrition, and physical medicine, my goal is to identify and remove factors that cause disease with the use of natural therapies. My areas of special interest include women's health and hormone balance, digestive health, and supporting nutrient deficiencies in the body.

Tell us about yourself

Naturopathic medicine found me in 2009 while attending a women's conference. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but the conventional medicine route did not align with my core beliefs, and I was disappointed with the conventional medical model. My Pastor's wife invited me to attend a women's conference, and little did I know that this would be where I'd be introduced to a field of medicine that would change my life. One of the guest speakers happened to be a Naturopathic Doctor. Something inside me sparked as she spoke about her career path and role as a Naturopathic Doctor. I immediately knew that naturopathic medicine was my calling, and so my journey began.

While attending naturopathic school, I was able to experience first-hand the benefits of naturopathic medicine. The stress of school and going through a divorce significantly impacted my already low-functioning thyroid. My endocrinologist had me on the highest dose of levothyroxine for my weight class. Yet, my body was not responding to the medication. Naturopathic medicine saved me when conventional medicine had nothing more to offer. My naturopathic doctor used botanicals and micronutrients to take my body out of "fight or flight" mode so that I could better absorb levothyroxine, and within a few weeks, my thyroid hormones started to normalize. This experience confirmed that I was on the right path. I'm so grateful that naturopathic medicine found me and allows me to help many individuals meet their health goals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Having a front-row seat and playing a vital role in the health journey of each client is so rewarding. I explain to my clients that I merely give the tools essential for optimal health, but it's up to them to put in the work. Witnessing health transformation is my biggest accomplishment and fuels my passion to keep doing this work.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the challenges that I've had to work through is meeting clients where they are on their health journey. There have been times when I put together what I thought was a great protocol that would help clients, but they were not ready for change. I've learned that as much as I want to see each client improve and experience optimal health, they have to be willing and ready to make the changes, and if they are not, I have to be ok with that.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. "Success doesn't come from what you occasionally do; it comes from what you do consistently." I live by this quote, and I truly believe that as you are growing your business, you have to make up your mind that giving up is never an option.
  2. What is for you will always come to you, so develop this mindset, knowing that you will attract your ideal clients, and your business will grow in time.
  3. You have something special to offer, and there are individuals looking for you to be the solution to their problems, so don't doubt yourself!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't compare your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20. Focus on your gifts, talents, and the unique attributes you have to offer your clients

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.drchante.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChanteND
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3ct5imJ

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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