Messineo Writing Services - Jennifer Messineo
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Messineo, MS, RD, founder of Messineo Writing Services LLC., located in Lindenhurst, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a freelance health and nutrition writer for businesses, brands, and nutrition professionals and the owner of https://creativemealplanning.com, a blog about meal planning on a budget. My services include blog articles, ebooks, and ghostwriting. I also offer a content strategy and "printables" such as infographics, planners, and workbooks.
Tell us about yourself
After ten years in publishing, I left a management position at a large publisher to return to school for a master's in nutrition and become a registered dietitian. My job in publishing had long hours and a long commute. I didn't get to spend time with my toddler during the week, and I knew it was time for a change. I was always interested in nutrition and wanted to start my own business.
So, I planned to specialize in eating disorders and eventually go into private practice while writing on the side. I provided nutrition counseling for another RD's private practice and a community organization. But, I quickly realized that I loved the creativity of writing more. I started by contributing to my employer's blog, which helped build my portfolio. Then I built a website and decided to write full-time.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm proud that by treating freelance writing as a business from the beginning, my business has been able to grow and evolve. I now offer more services and have a clearer idea of who I serve. The best part about being a business owner is choosing which projects I work on. Finding clients I enjoy working with has been the most rewarding part of the journey.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The best thing about owning a business is flexibility, which can also be challenging. Many tasks don't have deadlines and are not work that's directly for clients. I learned to have a business mindset and prioritize my work so I don't get distracted by things I have to do around the house. I keep set hours during the week, but my calendar system is the biggest key to my productivity. I make quarterly goals, monthly goals, and weekly goals and deadlines. Knowing what I want and need to accomplish this month helps me set realistic daily goals to keep me on track.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn from professionals you admire but don't compare your year one to someone else's year five.
- Don't underestimate the cumulative effect of small accomplishments. Make realistic weekly and daily goals and meet those goals. Celebrate your progress even when things aren't moving as fast as you would like them to. Over time, you'll be surprised to see how far you've come.
- You'll develop a clearer idea of what you want through action than you can through planning. When you feel paralyzed by indecision, make an informed decision, then change course if it doesn't work out. Take action and fine-tune as you go.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As an entrepreneur, I realized that my "perfect day" and the success of my business are up to me. Sometimes it's tempting to consider returning to work in an office for someone else. Then, I remind myself of my reasons for freelancing and blogging. The flexibility is a huge factor, but I'm excited about the future of my business and the potential of how it will grow and evolve.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jennifermessineo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenmessineo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-messineo/
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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