Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Monica McClelland, Founder of Mind Your Gut, located in Taos, NM, USA.

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

I am a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practioner and offer multiple services for people struggling with digestive disorders and anxiety. I work one-on-one, virtually, creating health re-building protocols to detoxify, repair the microbiome and balance the nervous system. I utilize functional labs to find weaknesses in the body and bring a targeted approach to healing.

My clients are women and men who struggle with IBS, SIBO, and gut inflammation. They are eager to learn about their bodies and how to heal using a functional approach and are open to learning and exploring somatic and energetic tools to address the emotional causes of digestive disorders.

Tell us about yourself

I had chronic digestive problems for most of my life. I was born colicky, raised on a SAD (Standard American Diet), treated with antibiotics dozens of times, and riddled with anxiety. I was always running to the bathroom and unable to eat normally. I developed unhealthy, obsessive habits around eating and going to the bathroom.

Through many trials and tribulations with conventional medicine and functional medicine, I finally set myself on the path toward healing. And while the functional lab tests, supplements, and diet changes were vital to my success, it was something else that really brought me to a place of truly good health, nervous system and emotional balancing.

Now, my passion is integrating functional medicine with emotional healing so my clients can take full control of their health. If I can overcome a lifetime of digestive problems and anxiety, I know it is possible for everyone, and getting that message out is what keeps me going every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been seeing positive results with my clients. When I first started as a health coach, I had only my experience of healing and my education, so it was hard to feel confident in my ability to help others heal. As I started seeing people and allowing my programs, philosophies, and protocols to adapt according to the needs of my clients and my intuition, I began getting incredible results. There is no better feeling than helping someone overcome debilitation and seeing their transformation happen right before my eyes!

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is showing up consistently. This industry rewards those who create content regularly and understand digital marketing. I have always been a team of one, me! It can become very overwhelming to stay consistent with email marketing, ad funnels, endless social media posting, and mastering complex software.

I give myself permission to take breaks to prevent burnout and trust the fact that owning a business is a long game, so success and notoriety do not happen overnight, and that's okay! I also take time to feel gratitude and be proud of myself. I went from having no business or marketing experience to building all of my platforms myself and learning complex systems to organize, manage and market my business.

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

  1. Do not let anyone else's experiences or opinions bring you down. Starting and growing a business is hard work, you know that already, and if someone had a failure or a bad experience, that does not mean you will. If you feel in your gut that starting a business is your path and have the drive and ambition to make it happen, then that's what matters, and no one can tell you otherwise.
  2. It's okay to make mistakes, even financial ones. Most of the things that people warned me not to do, I ended up doing. For instance, my business coach said, "Don't offer customized programs. Have set programs with no modifications." Well, I found that I preferred customizable programs, and I was not in the financial position to turn down clients. I have also made expensive investments in business coaching programs that did not bring the outcome I originally wanted. But I do not regret making those investments; I am a better business owner and practitioner from those programs. You have to learn the lessons yourself, and you will make mistakes, but that is how you improve and get closer to wealth and prosperity.
  3. Find balance to prevent burnout. If you feel like you've put all your energy into making something (writing a book, posting on SM, creating a course, marketing yourself) and are not getting the results you want, it is okay to take a break. Take a break from Instagram, take a break from constant marketing and spending money on ads. Sometimes we need to take a step back to find our way again. And sometimes, all the work I did three months ago starts paying off six months later. I would recommend looking into the energetics of a business and how your experiences, attitude, and emotional health can impact the success of your business. When you are feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and hopeless taking a break and refocusing can be exactly what you need to come back and come back stronger.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mind-your-gut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mindyourgutcoach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyourgutcoach/

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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