Personalized Nutrition Counselling

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and nutrition but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danica Jacobs, owner of Danica Jacobs Nutrition, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

My business is Danica Jacobs Nutrition, and I am a Registered Dietitian. I support folks with disordered eating, eating disorders, chronic dieters, and those interested in Intuitive Eating.

Tell us about yourself

I originally chose to pursue nutrition because I love food, enjoy cooking, and I wanted to work in a helping career. To become a Registered Dietitian in Ontario, you must complete an undergraduate degree and a 1-2 year master's or internship program. During my schooling, something wasn't clicking for me. I wasn't connecting to the weight and diet-focused approaches I was often learning about. As I started to work with clients, I also realized how these approaches weren't really working and were often leading to people becoming obsessed with food and increasing their guilt and shame with eating. I then began to learn about non-diet approaches to eating, like Intuitive Eating and mindful eating. As I started to integrate non-diet principles and spent more time listening and learning about my clients' whole stories with food, I noticed much more of an impact on my clients' overall nutrition and well-being.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is starting to support clients with eating disorders. Eating disorders are very complicated and personal mental health issues that are not very well researched or understood. There are not enough services and service providers who are providing the compassionate support in this area that is so needed. I am happy to be able to be a part of my client's recovery journeys.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner for me is wearing all the different "hats" needed to run a business. It can be hard to switch between my dietitian "hat" and business owner "hat." Thankfully mentors and coaches have helped me to be better prepared to manage all aspects of having a business.

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

Don't be afraid to invest in getting the support and mentorship that you need to feel confident in your work.
Networking with other business owners (especially when you work in mental health) is really helpful in building a support system!
Continuing education is so beneficial, and it can also feel overwhelming to choose from all the courses out there these days. I'd recommend doing regular continuing education, but also only choosing the ones that are aligned with your business and that is realistic given the amount of time that you have.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.danicajacobs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danicathedietitian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danicathedietitian/

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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