Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Irina Dybkova, CEO of IrinaFitFoodie, located in Brossard, QC, Canada.

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

I help women over 35 lose fat, tone up, be physically stronger, healthier, and more confident by using my proven concept, which combines personalized exercise and strength training programs with absolutely no jogging or jumping together with a variety of meal programs that are not demanding or depriving and actually let a person eat most of their favorite things including pasta and drinking a glass of wine. Exercise and dieting are not only rewarding. They can be enjoyable and affordable and, above all, become part of a permanent and sustainable lifestyle.

Tell us about yourself

I am a certified Personal Trainer and a Healthy Lifestyle Advisor who owns and operates a private health and fitness studio called IrinaFitFoodie in Brossard, Quebec. I was born 46 years ago in Ukraine and subsequently immigrated to Canada with my mother at the age of 14. Our family's lifestyle was always a healthy one where everyone focused on being fit and where meals were balanced and very healthy, and every day was filled with physical activity. I liked any type of physical activity because it gave me a sense of purpose, made me feel good, and kept me strong and fit.

My grandfather, who was also the coach of the Ukrainian Olympic Weightlifting Team and who lived to be healthy and strong well into his 80's had a huge impact on my decision to do what I do today, as did my mom, who was a professionally competing athlete. I've always been passionate about exercise, diet, and fitness. The reality is that so many people need guidance on eating, dieting, and exercise, but I've also come to realize that most who want to fix a problem are afraid to ask for help for fear of being judged.

To make it easier for everyone, my plan was and continues to be to build personalized exercise programs that emphasize proper techniques and create custom meal plans that provide a person's body with a proper fuel source. Combining these two elements produces dramatic and very favorable results.

I will continue to introduce this "Life-changing" experience to as many women as possible and help them get in shape as quickly and as discreetly as possible. I also want to encourage all women to trust in the process and believe that the benefits of permanently modifying and improving their current eating and exercise habits will make them healthier, more active, attractive, and definitely more confident in the years to come.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being able to start and periodically operate the business through COVID times and still be able to grow IrinaFitFoodie's recurring client base over the past months with a totally committed group of women who have seized the opportunity to improve their health, looks, and confidence that can only come by working with a passionate and caring female professional coach and lifestyle advisor who understands their physiology and the challenges women face today. Helping all of my clients lose fat, tone up, and be happy and confident is my biggest accomplishment so far.

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

Time management - Finding the time needed to advertise and communicate internally and externally on social media and still manage to have some personnel time or time for family and friends.

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

  1. Do enough research (know as much as you can about the business) and select a niche that has a potential for growth or innovation and is not saturated with too many competitors or that requires too much of an investment.
  2. Make sure your finances are in order and that you can survive any financial setbacks over a reasonable period of time.
  3. Don't go it alone if possible. Find a suitable partner(s) and share responsibilities and workload.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My business would have been more successful if it weren't for COVID-19 and lockdowns. Although I'm proud of my achievements to date, I expect continued success because of my unique approach to understanding, promoting, and providing fitness solutions to women over 35 years of age. Growth is on the horizon.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://irinafitfoodie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irina.dybkova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinafitfoodie/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.