Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Risa Morimoto, Founder, and CEO of Modern Aging, located in Greenlawn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Modern Aging is a company that focuses on healthy aging tips to optimize our health and well-being as we age. Our customers are health-conscious people over 40 who want to not only live longer but live well.
Tell us about yourself
My mother had a massive stroke in front of me when she was only 65. 8 years later, she developed Parkinson’s Disease. She passed away in 2019. My father was diagnosed with dementia in 2016. He passed in 2020. Taking care of my parents for almost 20 years inspired me to prioritize my own health, as I wanted to make sure I did not go down the same path. This was the initial inspiration for the creation of Modern Aging. I am also a documentary filmmaker. With my filmmaking and interviewing skills, I spoke with hundreds of health practitioners on how we can best optimize our health as we get older. This evolved into the Modern Aging YouTube Channel.
As western medicine continues to get more and more siloed, I want people to know that there are natural alternatives and integrative ways to approach our health. There are lifestyle changes that we can make that can further enhance our longevity. This motivates me every day to do what I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is connecting with our customers and fans – whether it’s our students who have taken one of our digital courses – Dream Retirement in Mexico, Get Strong Over 40, Strength Training Program for Women over 40, or our Medical Cannabis and CBD For Women’s Health. Or one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have viewed our videos on our YouTube Channel or listened to our podcast. There is a true sense of accomplishment when you know you have helped someone change their life for the better.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are definitely plenty of hard things when it comes to being an entrepreneur. For me, one of the most challenging aspects is marketing and connecting with new potential customers. It can be very expensive to run ads all the time so finding innovative ways to get the word out and connect with new audiences remains one of the more difficult things to do as a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do what you love. Make sure you are absolutely obsessed with your business because working on it day in and day out can get very stressful. If you don’t love it, you’ll likely give up pretty quickly.
- Make sure you have enough capital to start. While money isn’t everything, having a runway helps to ensure that you can continue to grow your business. When the money runs out, so does the business, so you always want to make sure you have a cushion.
- Progress, not perfection. If you have been thinking of a business idea that you want to pursue, starting is oftentimes the most difficult part. Just start. Don’t wait until the idea is perfect because the reality is that businesses are never perfect. They are evolving, ever-changing entities that ebb and flow. You will make mistakes. You will also discover great ideas that work. Learn from your mistakes and double down on what works. And keep making progress.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thisismodernaging.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismodernaging
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismodernaging/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-aging/
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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