Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gabriel Wigington, founder of Elevated Wellness, located in Frisco, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I design weekly food menus that solve chronic health conditions(what doctors look at) and guide families, older adults, and picky eating children to develop a system for eating where their meals truly do become their medicine while arming them with strategies for when life gets in the way(Crazy Calendars, Mandatory Meetings, School Schedules) since most folks struggle with simply fitting in the three most pivotal habits which keep us healthy consistently.
Tell us about yourself
I embarked on a tenacious journey determined to solve my own chronic pain and nerve dysfunction, which led me into a whole world of human health science education I never planned on diving into since I was never very good at science. Neuropathy and numerous other nervous system conditions are complex, challenging to find solutions for, and require me to be relentless to be my own doctor in the hope of regaining the quality of life I once had. I've battled a variety of nerve symptoms that seemed to fit peripheral neuropathy, although after a never-ending training with doctors and specialists, which I think many people like myself endure in search of lasting solutions, the primary nerve laboratory test did not confirm this, so I'd like to warn people that many conditions can be similar in many ways while uniquely different and more complex than it may appear on the surface.
My experiences led me one day to think that health is a ginormous jigsaw puzzle, and as a kid, I was always good at solving puzzles! Now they just get a bit more challenging. I also lost my father, the most important influence throughout my entire life who was like my best friend as well since he and I did everything together, just the two of us for much of my adulthood, which, frankly, I consider the most pivotal season of life when many young adults lack wisdom in their decision making without a true father or mentor to guide them properly.
So I am eternally grateful for the precious quality time my father gave me and all the talks we had about handling challenging work situations, people and communication skills, and most importantly, how to pick myself back up when life hits you in the face. I saw my father do this during his greatest challenges. I think seeing a behavior modeled in front of us is powerful; otherwise, modeling wouldn't be taught to teachers who are involved with caring for early developing children.
I'm motivated primarily by helping others escape a world they feel trapped in, which is why I get excited to teach principles, build habits, and develop skills that build our health back, one puzzle piece at a time. If you've watched a loved one die in your arms in a moment you couldn't see coming, as I have, you know how precious and truly short life is and how crucial nutrient-dense meals, exercise, and rest are in order to slow down our stress and be our God-given best each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Never quitting despite running into some brick walls with the challenges of getting in front of people due to how content media had overtaken the worlds of wellness and having a simple conversation with people had become the greatest obstacle, which is different from when I began this journey.
My creativity, relentless fire in me to do something great, solve problems I know I'm skilled at solving through my rigorous clinical training, and ability to see the macro picture by thinking in "systems" give me a vantage point on health that I was told is ahead of my time.
Many people I've shared my innovative business ideas with over the years in the food industry, networking, and other industries have provided me meaningful compliments, including my graduate Clinical Nutrition professionals, who told me my gift in psychological assessment is beyond that of my peers.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The need to always adapt and not able to simply stick with one marketing method, service and generate new content constantly while juggling the combination of in-person travel(traditional networking- Old School) and virtual(electronic) social media-driven connecting with new potential clients, businesses, and markets you may not have considered or planned for as the world turns ever so quickly!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Write out, think through, and be able to articulate in many ways to different audiences(education levels- language-words matter) your Mission, Vision, know who your target market is(age, gender, problem you want to solve), and what matters most to you about this service or product you want to provide.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd like for people to know that we truly don't need nor were we as humans designed to constantly be "researching"(google searching) 24/7/365 just to simply have our basic health needs and brain/body functions.
Nor is buying the latest supplement, fitness gadget, or downing dangerous DRUGS as if they were CANDY a requirement to live well.
I'd also like to talk directly to those who are suffering from chronic pain or a chronic condition and feel TRAPPED with no way out. I want you to know that there's somebody who understands what that feels like, and I know what it's like to feel completely ALONE, not seen or heard suffering day-by-day quietly, and wonder if anyone would care or notice if you dropped dead. My heart is to stand for those who struggle with Anxiety, Depression, Fear, and the Loss of a loved one. I do not think Mental Health is addressed nor solved in the allopathic medical system, so it's up to us(we the people) to be proactive and seek out qualified holistic-minded, behavior change focused well-rounded wellness professionals and, most importantly, teaching the art of turning simple, sustainable whole foods into Medicinal Meals.
Lastly, I'll leave you with a note that I invested significant time in assessing all types of grocers in my local area, and I've noticed many improvements even in traditional stores I hadn't been to in years throughout my educational journey, so I believe strongly that I can show you and your loved ones key strategies in mapping out your own grocery routine that fits your "economic budget," local grocer availability, time/economic constraints, and coincides with your health history/doctor diagnoses in a way that is doable, sustainable, and last but not least, ENJOYABLE since I put a tremendous emphasis in my system for eating, on emotional eating enjoyment(our relationship with eating). I say confidently that until the big picture, the emotional-social-economic components surrounding food come together in the manner that health industries, businesses, professionals, and government approach and teach it to the people, we will not see the tide turn away from a nation filled with chronic disease, all around America. If you'd like to stay up to date with my 30 lessons in holistic health class that is unprecedented, showing my 15 + years body of work that can turn around a young adult generation, I'll be delivering very soon in the community, and virtually for those who'd like to sign up, you may reach me easiest by email(Gabe@ElevatedWellness.biz).
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.alignable.com/frisco-tx/elevated-wellness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.wigington/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyourwaytoanaeasyasabcd36/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-wigington-3510384a/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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