Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Bonanno, a Wellness and Life Coach, based in Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a Wellness & Life Coach, speaker, and host of the Clean Beauty Scene Podcast. With over a decade as a wellness educator, I help women over 40 break free from dieting, release unwanted weight, and have more energy and less stress without counting calories or giving up wine, chocolate, and fun!
I'm the creator of The Body Harmony Method, my holistic, realistic approach that empowers women to feel comfortable in their bodies, fit back into clothes they love, and become the best version of themselves. I also help business owners reduce sick days and burnout while increasing productivity, focus, and morale with my innovative wellness programs and workshops.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a former network television manager turned stay-at-home mom of two boys who are now teenagers. I love living in Southern California, where the weather is beautiful, so I can spend time outside walking, playing tennis, and enjoying the pacific ocean. I've always been health-minded, but when I discovered how harmful environmental toxins are to our health, weight, and the planet, I felt compelled to enlighten and educate people on how important it is to reduce toxic load and help them avoid getting greenwashed.
I began writing for magazines and websites, then started a blog which was the catalyst for my wellness coaching business. I started coaching because I wanted to go beyond informing and help people transform their health, reach their potential and look and feel fabulous without restrictive fad diets and crazy deprivation.
I have food allergies and Hashimoto's disease. Despite the diagnosis, with healthy lifestyle habits, I am thankfully thriving and feel great. It saddens me when women over 40 feel they have to throw in the towel because of age. That is absolutely not true; this is the prime of your life. You can feel and look fantastic in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. I'm on a mission to empower as many women as possible to realize this and make it happen.
There is so much misinformation out there about how to truly live a healthy lifestyle and even worse information about nutrition. I love helping people get off the diet roller coaster. Diets set you up to fail. The diet industry has been feeding us lies for decades. I was my first client and now helping others lights me up.
People don't realize how much control we have over our health, longevity, and quality of life! I'm a fierce wellness advocate but not obsessive. I believe in moderation, not deprivation. I'm passionate about a healthy lifestyle but also about having fun and enjoying a good bottle of wine with friends and family. Fun is essential for good health. We must enjoy life!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What I find most rewarding is when a client breaks free of the diet mentality, gets her confidence back, and rocks her favorite sexy clothes. It's incredible when I help them master the mindset they need to be the best version of themselves and have the confidence to reach their health and life goals. I'm also proud of the fact that I'm helping the green movement grow. I often hear from others that I've changed the way they look at the products they use, and they think of me whenever they are shopping. This is incredibly meaningful to me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being a business owner is an incredible personal development journey. It's a constant series of ups and downs and roadblocks. It's easy to lose hope and allow setbacks to knock you down. It can be difficult to stay the course and remain committed, flexible, and open-minded, but we must if we want to be successful.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Build your email list. Social media can be important, but you must have your own email list.
- Adopt the philosophy of progress over perfection. When I finally did this, it was liberating. Clarity comes from action, don't wait for things to be just right; take imperfect action. Done is always better than perfect. Get it out there, that's how you learn what works and what doesn't.
- Take care of your mind, body, and soul. If you are not taking care of yourself, you won't have the energy and mental capacity it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. An unhealthy lifestyle can easily result in burnout. Nourish your mind with healthy thoughts, prayer, and meditation. We become our thoughts, and what you focus on expands. A healthy mindset is necessary to reach your business and all life goals.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kellybonanno.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3UrwEKU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybonanno/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellybonanno
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybonanno/
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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