Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samantha Gladish, founder of Holistic Wellness, located in Waterdown, ON, Canada.

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

My business is very multi-faceted. We have our nutrition services that focus on helping women heal their metabolism and optimize their thyroid. We have self-paced programs and more in-depth 1-1 coaching services. After 15 years of working in the health and wellness space and creating a brand and business, I pivoted to support other health practitioners and wellness coaches in starting their online businesses. Ultimately, my team and I support women in achieving both health & wealth 🙌🏻

Tell us about yourself

From a young age, I was very connected to food and nutrition. It was very natural for me to study this and make a career in it. In my teens, I suffered from PMS symptoms and hormone imbalances, as many teens do, so I was very curious and passionate about studying how nutrition can support PMS and hormonal health.

I always joke that I’m unemployable! I worked for numerous health companies and brands over the years and, quite frankly, was very unexcited by it. I would see other practitioners building their own brands and coaching clients, and I was so inspired by that. At first, I couldn’t see the path forward and how to get started, but I ended up getting fired from my job, and it was then that I created a no plan B and dove in head first, learning everything I could about building an online business.

The universe did for me what I couldn’t do for myself, and I’m so thankful for that experience. I’m motivated each day by possibility. I get to use my creative gifts and talents; with that, anything is possible. I’m also motivated by my clients. Being able to witness their successes and see them transform, both professionally and personally, is such a gift.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There are tangible accomplishments like getting a book deal and publishing my first book that I’m super proud of. But outside of that, my biggest accomplishment to date has been not giving up. Even when it’s hard and uncertain, I continue to hold to my vision and work towards it.

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

The uncertainty! Although, I feel even a corporate job has many uncertainties. I think many of us have felt uncertain in these past few years especially. There can be many highs and lows with running your own business, and it’s very confronting. Also, being a coach and holding space for others can definitely be a challenge.

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

  1. Just start! I know people don’t often like to hear that as they want something more tangible, but it’s true. Answers and clarity don't come to you while sitting back and thinking about it. It comes from taking action.
  2. Hire a coach. You don’t know what you don’t know, which is why having someone who can guide you, support you and provide you with some strategy will give you so much momentum.
  3. Let go of timelines. Business growth takes time. So if you tell yourself you only have a year to make it work, you’ll add a ton of pressure on yourself and lose sight of the bigger picture. If you want a thriving business - it takes time and dedication. It can take years to get to where you want, which is why setting a timeline is so limiting.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I encourage anyone considering starting their own business to get clear on their why and vision. Starting a business just to make money isn’t a big enough force. There needs to be a bigger context. What’s the legacy? What’s the impact you want to have? Think bigger. It’s this vision that will help you continue to show up for yourself when it feels like nothing is working.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://holisticwellness.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolisticWellnessFoodie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticwellnessfoodie/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.