True Healing From the Inside Out

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Kate Gowdy, Founder of Purely Rooted Nutrition and Wellness, located in State College, PA, USA.

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

Purely Rooted Nutrition and Wellness is an integrative clinical nutrition wellness center that works with clients to find the deep-rooted reasoning behind symptoms and illness and supports healing from the source. We work with anyone interested in true healing from the source.

Tell us about yourself

There are many reasons why I chose functional nutrition. Originally, I graduated with a BA in Psychology. After working in the field for a while, I realized that most mood and mental disorders stemmed from overall nutrition and lifestyle-related choices. I've always been interested in finding the root cause and needed to find a way to help people better. I received my Holistic Health Coach certification in 2012 and soon after ran a successful integrative weight loss program for a functional doctor and chiropractor. I loved it, but the program was starting to attract clients with more serious health conditions. I decided to return to school for my Master's in Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Health. I was certified as a CNS in 2019 and then licensed in PA in 2020.

Utilizing food as medicine, professional-grade supplements, stress management techniques, and functional testing has helped me help others in so many ways. I also lost a handful of friends and family members within five years around the time I decided to pursue a career in healthcare in a more holistically focused way. Watching their symptoms grow along with their medication list was just awful. I wanted to find a way to support my loved ones the best way I could. These are the main reasons why I started my business, and these reasons motivate me every single day to be the best practitioner I can be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

First of all, starting a business altogether! When your clients refer their friends and family to you, that is the ultimate accomplishment. Not only because they trust your skill set, but they trust you as a person.

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

Having every responsibility on your shoulders. The marketing, social media, health insurance, research, personalized protocols, etc. You are the face of your business, and keeping up with everything can get overwhelming at times, but it is worth it.

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

Work with a networking group in your area like BNI. It's important to get the word out that you even exist, and the best marketing outlet is word of mouth.
Get organized. Keep notebooks and/or computer notes for everything and keep them up to date—one for marketing, one for research, etc. Plan your marketing or social media plan and set aside the time to do this work weekly. Connect your calendars, so everything is there in front of you daily. This includes delegating tasks when you can.
Set aside time every week to have YOU time. When you're tired and overwhelmed, you won't put out your best work. Self-care is very important.

Starting your own business is hard work, and it's important to know that you may not get to a good place for 3-5 years. However, it is exciting and empowering work, and it is worth it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.purelyrootednutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurelyRootedNutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purelyrootednutrition/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-kate-gowdy-9674b147/

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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