Reach Your Health Goals One Step at a Time - Kayla Merritt

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and nutrition but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kayla Merritt, owner of RD Wellness Solutions, located in Pike Road, AL, USA.

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

I have an insurance-based nutrition practice where I provide nutrition counseling and education to clients. There are many areas of nutrition I cover with my clients. They range from meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, mindful eating, helping clients improve their relationship with food (disordered eating), and teaching about food groups, calorie needs, macronutrients, appropriate serving sizes, and portion control. I also provide "Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)" to clients who have been referred to me by their primary care physician or specialist. MNT is a type of therapy to help others manage their nutrition-related chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, fatty liver, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease.

Most of my clients find me through word of mouth and social media or are referred to me by their doctors. Although my client base is variable and large, I specialize in weight loss and tend to have a lot of female clients between ages 25-55. Helping women lose weight and improve their health through proper nutrition is my biggest passion.

Tell us about yourself

I have been a registered dietitian nutritionist for 13 years, where I have mainly worked in the clinical setting. For the past nine years, I have had a remote, 9-5 job in renal nutrition, working with patients who have kidney disease. I have enjoyed every position I have had in my career, but I knew I had always wanted to start a private practice where I could be my own boss, help people in a big way and live out my passion. It was a big leap of faith, but I knew I would regret it if I didn't take the first step. I am now growing my practice each day and absolutely love getting to see people's lives change for the better.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is becoming contracted with insurance companies as a nutrition provider. This is not an easy process, is very time-consuming, and requires a lot of patience. By having the ability to take insurance, I can provide services to people who may not have been able to afford it or just do not have extra income to use on my services. I have become an in-network provider with several insurance companies, and I am able to reach more people, and that makes my heart happy!

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is that you don't just wear one hat or do one thing in your position. Especially when you are just starting out, you are the administrator who schedules appointments, you are a salesperson who markets yourself on social media and to medical clinics, you provide the counseling and see the clients, you do the billing and claims, and the list goes on. The perk to this, though, is that you know everything going on in your practice and that your clients are being served well. Lastly, I enjoy what I do every day, which is most important.

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

1. Just get started. You will never feel like it is a perfect time or that you are completely prepared, so you just must start somewhere.
2. Be ok with learning as you go. In my opinion, this is the best way to become an expert in an area to muddle your way through it until you understand it. Also, keep in mind that growing your business will take time. Maintain a growth mindset through your journey and try to avoid letting yourself get down or discouraged. This has been very helpful for me. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of you and your big dreams.
3. Take time for self-care. Being a business owner is like riding an emotional roller coaster sometimes. So, taking time out for yourself to do things you enjoy will go a long way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rd-wellnesssolutions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kayla.RDWellnessSolutions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdwellnesssolutions/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylamerrittRWS/

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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