Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Norine Khalil, Co-Founder & Registered Dietitian of One Elephant Integrative Health Team and Lifeberry, located in Oakville, ON, Canada.

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

In 2013, I created Lifeberry, my consulting company where I focused on one-on-one nutrition counselling and corporate wellness. I've never loved the term "side hustle," but I suppose that's what Lifeberry was at the time. I focused on working with a variety of clients looking to create a healthy relationship with food and discover the power it has on the way they feel. I also work with those who struggle with: weight management, diabetes, heart disease, digestive issues, and food allergies/intolerances. It wasn't until 2017 that I decided to dive completely into private practice and build this business that I knew I wanted. As a Dietitian, my passion has always been to help people discover the best version of themselves through the power of food. But, I've also always known in my heart that working with a team of like-minded health professionals would elevate my business and ensure that my patients would have the full level of support that they need and deserve. In 2019, alongside two other incredible women and the best team of clinicians I could ask for, I co-founded and opened One Elephant Integrative Health Team, a collaborative healthcare clinic in Oakville with a mission to provide excellent patient care through integration, education, community, and clinic research. One Elephant Integrative Health Team is a women-owned business with a diverse and unbelievably passionate team of providers. We have built a business on the basis of community, respect, and collaboration, and we are only getting started!

Tell us about yourself

I would say that the seed to have my own practice was planted very early on. Nutrition was never the game plan for me, but looking back now, it made perfect sense. I've had life-threatening allergies my whole life, so food was never "fun" for me. On the contrary...it was often a source of fear. So, when it came time to pick a major in university, nutrition was intriguing because I wanted to understand food and truly appreciate it. Throughout my undergraduate degree, and later on, my Master's Degree and dietetic internships, I began to realize that my passion was not food necessarily - it was helping people. Digging deeper into what we eat, how we eat, and most interestingly, why we eat what we eat was all I wanted to do with every patient I met. I knew right away when I started my education that I wanted to build a private practice and make space for these conversations.

My motivation is quite simple. My patients motivate me. The strength, determination, and resilience they all show each day makes me want to show up and help them crush their goals. I absolutely love meeting with my patients each time and celebrating their wins and helping them troubleshoot the challenges they face. Helping my patients reach their highest potential through health is the part of my job that I love the most.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment thus far has been starting the One Elephant Integrative Health Team 3 months before the pandemic hit and seeing it thrive through one of the most challenging times we've seen in a long time. We had no idea what was in store for us when we opened our doors, but coming together as a team and pivoting as best we could to make sure our clinic could continue to support our patients confirmed how dedicated we were as a team to see this dream through.

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

I would definitely say the balance is the hardest part. We see this perfect picture of entrepreneurship on social media, of people working with beaches and sunsets behind them...and as much as this may be true for some, it's not the norm. To build a business takes time, lots, and lots of time. And once that business is built, it continues to take time and effort to nurture it, make it and see it evolve. That can often come at the expense of time spent in other areas of life for a little while, and that's been the hardest part. As a new mom, I've had to find this new balance between motherhood, family, and my business. It's been challenging and beautiful all at the same time. I know it will continue to surprise me - but at the end of the day, it's incredible to be able to be able to see that all of the balls being juggled are my own. I created the chaos (haha!), so I know I can manage it too.

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

  1. Don't overthink it. Just start. Analysis paralysis is a real thing, and it can stop so many things from coming to fruition. Starting doesn't have to be perfect, so if you really feel passionate about what you're building, just start and stay consistent.
  2. Challenge imposter syndrome when it creeps upon you. Remember that there is always someone out there who connects with you because of who you are and what you represent. You are 100% capable, and it's important to remind yourself of that as often as possible throughout the journey.
  3. Don't forget to have fun and celebrate your wins! The road to starting and growing a business can feel long and tough, so stopping to smell the roses is an important part of the journey. Enjoy the ride - because it can actually be quite the exciting rollercoaster.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.oneelephant.ca/
http://lifeberry.ca/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/oneelephanthealth
https://www.facebook.com/lifeberryrd/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/oneelephanthealth/
https://www.instagram.com/lifeberryrd/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-elephant-integrative-health-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/norine-khalil-00740649/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.