Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joe Villegas, CEO of Paragon Well-Being, located in Pennington, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an employee health and wellness company serving small and midsize businesses. Now more than ever, physical and mental health needs to take a front seat, and we've been honored to serve groups thus far in doing so. We provide everything from seminars to team challenges and even ongoing wellness programs for companies looking to attract and retain talent, enhance workplace culture, and improve employee health and engagement. Beyond that, we also offer one on one coaching services ranging from weight loss and performance to mental health coaching and even clinical services such as blood chemistry analysis and food sensitivity testing.
Tell us about yourself
I actually started coaching back in 2011 at a CrossFit gym. I had no intention of becoming a coach, but the owner approached me and asked if I'd be interested, and I jumped on the opportunity. From there, I had friends and friends of friends who couldn't make it to the gym asking me to write programs for them and help with their diet. That quickly grew to have clients all over the US and internationally. Eventually, I had clients asking me to come into their businesses to give wellness talks, and that's what led to the Paragon you see today!
Getting to have an impact on people's lives and help them ultimately change the trajectory of their life and experience on this planet has been the greatest reward, and it's what gets me up each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'd say my biggest accomplishment thus far was our transition from one-on-one remote coaching to doing corporate programs. It's taken countless hours putting together programs, testing software, and creating content that it felt like we were climbing Mount Everest. Once we got ourselves onto what I believe was stable ground and got to look at what was created, I knew we were going to do some great things.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Delayed gratification is definitely something I struggled with in the beginning. You're putting in the hours, attending events, and reaching out to people, and it can sometimes feel very monotonous. Once you get a few solid wins, though, and realize it's a result of the time you put in, it makes you want to do more.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure it's something you're passionate about. I always used to hear this and think, "yeah yeah, okay," but it's true. If you're not passionate about what you're doing, you're much more likely to quit.
- Have a long-term approach. Anything great takes time to develop and probably a lot more time than you think. Don't worry about what you or your company can do in 1 to 3 years; look out 5, 10, or even 20 years at the impact you can have if you just do the work and trust the process.
- Don't be attached to certainty. Things are not going to go your way, and that's okay; it's part of the adventure! Embrace the unknown, and keep an eye out for all the amazing people you'll meet and magic moments that happen that weren't "part of your plan."
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.paragonwellbeing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paragonwellbeing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpwb/
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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