Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elena Zinkov, Co-Founder of Proactive Health Naturopathic Clinic, located in Bellevue, WA, USA.

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

I am the co-founder of an award-winning functional medicine clinic, where I specialize in helping women of all ages uncover the root cause of their hormone-related symptoms.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up as a semi-professional tennis player, and as a competitive athlete, I had access to nutritionists, coaches, psychologists, and a whole team who worked to make sure I was mentally and physically healthy. My passion for health and empowering individuals to live their best life led me to pursue Naturopathic Medicine--which is essentially an integrated form of medicine combining alternative and conventional medical practices. Because I struggled with hormone imbalances most of my life and was able to heal myself using what I knew about hormones, I made it my life's purpose to help others.

Hormones are complicated, and many physicians do not take a whole body approach to balancing hormones in women. Through my clinic, I designed a one-on-one program that is highly individualized for every patient, with no-rush, comprehensive visits, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching, and an integrated approach to health.

It brings me great joy to help people understand their bodies, be symptom-free, improve their quality of life, and do what they love instead of struggling to make it through the day. Every day I practice, I am motivated by the positive changes I see in others as a result of our work together. I always say, "If I can help one person today, I've succeeded." But, of course, I want to help many more people and make health accessible to all.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The number of people I've helped regain their health and vitality, and how I am changing the medicine paradigm one person and conversation at a time.

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

Work, life, family balance. You have to have firm boundaries; otherwise, you can work 24/7. When you're working on the business and in the business, it can be very consuming. As a business owner and an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to take care of yourself, your family and make sure your business is thriving. It's a never-ending challenge that you face in all stages of business growth.

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

  1. You have to enjoy the process, which means enjoying the ebbs and flows. Remind yourself of your why and why you're doing what you're doing.
  2. Take full ownership of what happens and never blame anyone else. As a leader of your organization, you always have to take responsibility for what happens. It's not the person you hired, your business partner, your parents, or anyone else--the decisions you make in your business are 100% yours. It's liberating and empowering when you look at it this way because it means you are in control.
  3. Evolve, learn, pivot. Part of being a business owner is that you have to keep up with the latest technologies, market trends, and the different ways that you can scale and improve your product or service. You also have to be flexible in order to pivot quickly when necessary and not be attached to an idea or concept that is not working in your favor or not satisfying your customer's needs.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Prioritize your health and wellbeing as a business owner. Never let business growth compromise your health and relationships.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://proactivehealthnd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drelenazinkov/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elena-zinkov-nd-56127755/

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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