Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mike Davis, founder and CEO of Guardians Nutrition & Fitness, LLC., located in Raleigh, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm an online nutrition and fitness coaching company that works primarily with frontline workers (paramedics, firefighters, police, and nurses), which I chose to work with because I was a paramedic before coaching. This demographic gives so much of themselves but often neglects their own health and fitness. I want to change that!
Tell us about yourself
As I said, I was a paramedic before this. However, I have always had a passion for fitness. My undergrad is in exercise science, and I love seeing people reach their full potential. Not only physically but mentally too. Mindset is a big part of someone's fitness journey, and I love to see their mindset shift and really start achieving meaningful long-term results.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am currently transitioning from a 1:1 coaching business model to a 1:many coaching model. I have maxed out the number of clients I can effectively serve 1:1. So to have a bigger impact on more people, I am redesigning my delivery and bringing on additional coaches. That's been a big accomplishment for me, positively impacting as many people as I have and continuing to grow to impact even more.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning all of the things that go into being a business owner. I know nutrition and fitness, but business was something new to me, which I had to learn as I went. It's been an awesome experience but a challenging one. Just when you think you're getting a handle on it, your business grows, and that means learning to run a business at that new level. Like I said, I love it, but it's definitely one of the hardest things about owning your own business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take action! A lot of people will stop just before "pulling the trigger." Just take that imperfect action. You are going to fail and make mistakes, and that's ok.
- Trust your gut. There will be scary things, and it will feel right in your gut, but others will tell you, "it's not going to work" or "you should do this instead." If what you want to do feels right to your core, then do it. You may have to adjust along the way but listen to your gut.
- Invest in yourself and get a mentor/business coach. Save yourself the headache of making those silly mistakes early on by investing in a reputable and ethical business coach or mentor. It will save you time and money in the long run.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you're at a point now where you're thinking about starting your own company, but you are just waiting for something to fall in place or be juuuust right, stop it! Take action! Set a date not too far off in the future and make that your day to start your company. The perfect time doesn't exist; if you think about it too much, you will talk yourself out of it and delay forever.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.guardiansnutritionandfitness.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3OqkWwu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guardians.nutrition/
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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