Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Bohnengel, founder of Nourish Life Nutrition, LLC., located in Ashland, OR, USA.

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

Making a baby may be natural, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. I can help. I'm a registered dietitian, trained at the National Institutes of Health, and have a decade of experience in women's health - both in my private practice and at OHSU. Through my business, I offer coaching and online programs, teaching women how to take control of their fertility and prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

Tell us about yourself

After earning my MS in Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University in 2012, I trained in clinical research and medical nutrition therapy at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. I kissed the east coast goodbye and moved to Portland, Oregon, to accept a position at OHSU to develop and manage wellness programs.

I had the opportunity to help develop a curriculum for public health intervention, Pregnancy Exercise, and Nutrition. I saw the powerful impact of small changes on a woman's fertility and how well she felt during pregnancy. I became obsessed with prenatal health and hadn't looked back.

Personally, I now get to say I'm a proud mamma of two boys, but it wasn't easy to get here. I started TTC at age 34, one year shy of 'geriatric,' so I knew there might be challenges. But I was overall pretty healthy, so I did not anticipate the full extent of time-sucking medical drudgery. Now, I'm dedicated to sharing what I've learned - to teaching women how to claim control over their health & fertility where they can.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Getting to play a role in helping people grow their families - there's nothing more rewarding!

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

Because I'm a solopreneur, I do struggle with loneliness. I miss having a collaborator to bounce ideas off of, strategize and celebrate wins together.

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

  1. Try it before you do it. Before quitting your day job, get into the weeds and do the work of growing a business and make sure it's for you. You may be passionate about your service or product, but when you run your own business, the passion area becomes a small fraction of your day-to-day.
  2. Get mentorship. As soon as I invested in business coaching, my business took off. Yes, you can learn "it all" for free online, or at least a lot, but it takes so much time. It's so much more efficient to learn from others who have gone before you.
  3. Build relationships. My business growth and my happiness as an entrepreneur have benefited most from the relationships and community I have built.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I feel so incredibly lucky to get to do the work I love and be able to support myself while doing work that makes a positive impact on others' lives. I believe this dream is possible for any of us and that good things are worth working for.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.fertility-nutritionist.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourishlifenutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfertilitynutritionist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FertilityNutri1

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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