Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Theresa Petti, Owner of Living Well with Tess RN., located in Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA.

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

My business is Nurturing Roots Healing. I'm a Functional Lifestyle Specialist helping women connect to their innate healing power, using a functional and holistic approach to achieve their highest health & wellness potential. I also write a wellness blog called Living Well with Tess. I work with the individual through a functional lens, concentrating on finding and healing the root cause.

My years of experience as a registered nurse have focused primarily on symptom management. I desire to serve people from a different paradigm: to build a bridge between conventional and functional medicine. I believe that health and wellness cannot be placed in a box, and we must focus on the "whole person. I want to help as women as I can be an advocate for their health and wellness.

Tell us about yourself

I've been an RN for nearly 20 years. Most of my nursing experience comes from critical care, home health, and hospice care. As you can imagine, working in these areas gave me a great deal of experience working with people from all walks of life and dealing with a vast menu of health challenges.

Over the years, I discovered that people were getting sicker and not only sicker but dealing with these chronic conditions younger and younger. I began to realize that I wanted to help and serve people using a different paradigm, using what I believe is the missing link in our healthcare system.

That missing link is looking at the "whole" person instead of the symptom or the one-body system. Now, this requires time to spend with an individual. This time is not available within our healthcare system approach. With that time comes education. People are not well informed on how to go about lifestyle change and the tools to make that happen.

Although I have the utmost respect for my profession, I have always been passionate about a more holistic approach to health and wellness. I believe healing can only occur when the "whole person" approach is part of the care plan.

What motivates me is celebrating results and "Ah-Ha" moments with my clients. There's nothing better. When they win, I win! If I can make just one positive change and help them reach any of their goals, it's a great day!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was taking the plunge and doing what lit me up and doing it the way I envisioned. I am still evolving and working toward my desired business vision, but the journey is where the magic is.

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

Reach. Many women out there feel like their bodies are a burden, especially those 40 and beyond. Our bodies are unique with all of the changes across various seasons. We have been conditioned to think that it just comes with age.

That "it is what it is," and we have to deal with it. Well, we don't have to, and we shouldn't. We need to listen to our bodies. Our body knows what it needs to heal. We have to tune in and listen. Instead of feeling like their body is a burden, I want them to feel like it's a beautiful thing to discover.

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

  1. Don't give up.
  2. Trust Yourself.
  3. Just go for it!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I want to add that when a door closes, another one opens, and you may be discouraged when things don't go as planned. Surrender to the opportunities, even when they arrive in strange packages. Your challenges can end up being your greatest gifts.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://livingwellwithtess.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Livingwellwithtess/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithtessrn/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/LivingWellwithTessHealthCoach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livingwellwithtessrn/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.