Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Adrian Langford, Owner of Integrative Wellness Partner, located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I offer a hybrid of expertise wellness modalities that give clients the best results for mapping out their lifelong dream (Life Coaching for professional or personal discovery, recovery, sustaining balance in body and mind to move clients forward to success).
For those who want more flexibility, focus, strength, and improving the body while calming the mind, I teach individual yoga tailor-made for the student's needs. This is gentle therapeutic yoga with a guided meditation at the end of each class.
Tell us about yourself
My passion for food and wellness spans over decades (been cooking since I was eight!). I suffered from viruses as a young child (I had earaches galore and sore throats). At age 20, I lost my balance literally for almost a year and had loads of diagnostic tests that came up with no answers. One day as I was lying in bed, I decided I would get up and get a job and an apartment (I was living at home with my mom). And that is what I did!
The severe lightheadedness and off-balance feeling (like getting off a merry-go-round) are with me occasionally to this day. However, many years ago, I realized that I had to discover the answers myself as the medical community had no real answers for me. I changed my diet and began jogging for the first time in my life. Several years later, when I had children, I attended natural health classes, and that stoked my passion for wanting more knowledge about nutrition, herbs, vitamins, homeopathy, aromatherapy, energy healing, connection to nature, and fitness.
Eventually, I became Certified in Nutrition, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Personal Trainer, Yoga, Health Coaching, Culinary Coaching, and Life Coaching.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Adapting to the Pandemic and doing sessions via online with yoga students. I had to develop my own approach to assessing a student and helping adjust their poses and body through Zoom or other video media. I had to redo my website (still undergoing changes!) as well to let clients and students understand how to connect online and what to expect.
It was a 'work in progress' plus I realized the best way to give yoga students what they need was on an individual basis instead of in group classes. Once yoga client has achieved a certain level, they can join group classes. For my health coaching, I amped up my expertise and got Certified as Life Coach as my clients needed more strategies for redirecting their lives (professionally or personally) to become more productive and satisfying.
The smiles I see on my yoga students' faces and the smiles in my clients' voices plus their success stories now ('I can touch my toes now!' and 'I now know what I need for balancing my life and career - Thank You!' - those comments and more are deeply rewarding.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When things go wrong - you are the responsible one! The technical aspect when the internet and/or computer or cell phone is not working properly or at all - or your client is having difficulty with their devices is very frustrating and time-consuming. And the loss of electricity during a yoga Zoom class - had it all happen. One must be prepared and be flexible and patient at those times.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do your homework! Research ALL aspects of whatever business you wish to start today. If possible, interview people in the field of business that you are looking to start. Take notes, read books on the subject, listen to podcasts, etc., on the topic of the line of business you want to start and how to go about it. Check out the Small Business Bureau in your area as they are a huge resource and sometimes have a mentor they can connect you to that has a background in the field you are interested in.
Check out your financial situation and be realistic about what your need financially to survive for at least a year while you grow your business. Find out if a business loan is appropriate for your business needs (can you repay it over how many years and interest?).
Build in time for YOURSELF! Assess your health physically and mentally, and seek a health coach, life coach, or other professionals to make sure you are in the best possible (or working your way towards it) shape you can be to perform to the demands of starting a business while maintaining a stable positive home life. Develop a support system of professionals, friends, and family to deal with the ups and downs of starting a business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.integrativewellnesspartner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdriansFOGA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-langford-21947131/
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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