The Power to Change Your Life - Lauren Rice Wellness

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lauren Rice, Founder of Lauren Rice Wellness, located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

I am an epigenetic nutritional therapist, plant medicine practitioner, and mindfulness teacher who helps individuals struggling with chronic illness or stress find more peace and balance in their lives by healing their bodies naturally through food, medicinal plants, and breathwork.

Tell us about yourself

I actually started out as a law student, but I contracted a complex autoimmune disorder in my early 20s. I also lost my mom to cancer a bit before then, and I wanted to find a natural solution to improve my health and well-being so that I could have a fulfilling life without feeling limited by my illness. In taking some time away from graduate school to heal, I began to study nutritional therapy and epigenetics, which shows us how our environment and health choices can shape our genetics. I became fascinated and applied what I was learning to my own life. I started to heal and eventually made a full recovery without prescription medication. This was something doctors in two countries at the time had said that I would never likely do. Then, because I was so passionate about what I was learning, my friends and family started to ask me questions about themselves. I quickly realized that many people that I knew were feeling really underserved by their current healthcare practitioners regarding what to do to feel better or choosing what to eat. I also learned that most doctors receive maybe one semester in all eight years of medical schooling (or even just one class!) on nutrition. I started a small practice, then joined a larger medical group. After about four years of getting some great practical experience in the Washington, D.C. area, I formed my own company again, and I have been in private practice now for almost 11 years. Now, I work primarily with women (but I still see men and children as well) and help them solve what I call the dis-eases of modern living: high stress with a lack of work/life balance, a lack of understanding of emotional trauma and how this affects our brain, hormonal and digestive health, poor food choices containing lots of processed convenience foods and "healthy" snack foods that aren't really optimal fuel choices, a lack of healthy sleep, and a lack of awareness of proper hydration and stress management tools like breathwork. I find watching discover, as I did, that they can be their own inner healer using such simple things as food and breath so inspiring. Each time seeing the inner and outer healing somehow feels magical, even though I really trust my methods and have worked with hundreds, if not more, at this point.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think the thing that has been the best for me is truly feeling independent. I can live anywhere in the world and serve people from everywhere as I run my practice digitally. Currently, I am living on a beautiful tropical island in Panamà, and next, I will be moving to Mexico. I can really balance my own work and life so much better this way and practice what I am teaching to others: to make time for play and rest as much as work. This is really healing.

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

I think being able to manage your time appropriately can be a challenge for some people. When you are the boss, it is up to you to set your hours and accomplish what you choose is important. Sometimes, there can be the temptation to over-work or to concentrate on things that do not actually have a positive impact on your goals. I use meditation and breathwork daily to help me stay grounded. I also have digital tools I love that help me stay focused and organized.

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

1. Don't jump in on your own immediately! Everyone can get so excited and want to just quit their jobs to work for themselves or not have any backup plan. Running a business is a skill, and often it is very different from the skill or trade that you might know and want to sell. When I first started, I was a great nutritional therapist, but I had no idea how to be an entrepreneur and generate clients on my own. I started slowly and built a client base, so I effectively made my previous job support me while I grew. Much less stressful!
2. Keep everything organized digitally! Use apps like Evernote or project management tools like CRM or Asana to be able to find everything when you need it.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help! Especially with things like taxes and accounting, and seek out a mentor! They have been where you are and can help you get where you want to go MUCH, MUCH faster.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.laurenricewellness.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenricewellness/

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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