Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Wilson, FNTP, RWS, BCHN, Founder of Nutritious Endeavors, LLC., located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I teach people suffering from autoimmune diseases how to nourish their bodies through food, movement, stress mitigation, and community connection so their body is a comfortable places to live. This takes the form of long-lasting energy, balanced blood sugar, less “brain fog,” and a reduction in the other wide and varied symptoms autoimmune warriors endure daily. I primarily work with women between the ages of 35 and 65. My approach is to meet people where they are and work at a pace that makes sense for them – no one size fits all plans here.
Tell us about yourself
When I was in my 20s, I didn’t think too much about what I ate. If it tasted good, I ate it. I didn’t make the connection between how I fed my body and how well or unwell I felt. I was just starting my first career and worked crazy long hours that didn’t leave much time to take care of myself. Then, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and given a prescription. No education. No conversation about how this diagnosis could progress and impact my daily life. No discussion about how my lifestyle and diet contributed to the symptoms I was experiencing.
Fast forward ten years, and my allopathic doc tells me I’m on the way to becoming pre-diabetic. Again, there was no discussion about what that meant. There was a declaration. And then a whole lot of NOTHING. So, I did nothing. I didn’t take it seriously. Why should I? If my doctor didn’t feel the topic warranted a conversation, then was there really anything to worry about? Another ten years go by, and I learn I am knocking on DIABETES door. That got my attention! But again, there was no education on how I could take better care of myself.
I knew there had to be more to managing my health than just taking a pill. I learned how to balance my blood sugar which reversed the trend toward diabetes and reduced the hypothyroid symptoms. I had found a way to help myself! This experience inspired me to obtain formal education, so I could show others how to heal themselves, and Nutritious Endeavors was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Graduating from my first class of RESTART® participants! They shifted to a real food diet like champs and were thrilled with the reduction in everyday aches and pains, sugar cravings, and improved energy that they achieved. That experience motivates me to continue doing this work.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Oh boy, this is a good question. Figuring out how to make the most of my time and the money spent on marketing my services. I have lots of tools in my healing toolbox, but when it comes to marketing, I’m not nearly as skilled. A close second would be bookkeeping. I just do not enjoy it, so it makes it hard to be consistent.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get comfortable with asking for help. It’s impossible to know everything, so let yourself off the hook and engage an expert when it makes sense.
- Be aware of how competitors are marketing their services but don’t let it dictate what you do.
- Just get started. Don’t wait until everything is perfect (it never will be!). Most likely, you will end up making adjustments to forms and processes anyway. Get started now and be ready to shift and adapt as the need arises.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
There will be missteps along the way. Be gentle with yourself when they occur. Learn from mistakes and keep moving forward.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://nutritiousendeavors.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nutritiousendeavors/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritiousendeavors/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-wilson-fntp-rwp-bchn-502956228/
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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