Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Kitchens, Co-Founder of Plant Centered Nutrition, located in Durham, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Plant Centered Nutrition has helped hundreds of people who were discouraged by strict diets and overwhelmed with the amount of information out there. We also know first-hand what it's like to struggle with food-related GI and health issues... It is not a good time! Our motto? Take it step-by-step. We're all on different journeys, and nutrition doesn't look exactly the same for any two people. To build sustainable, healthful eating habits, you need a personalized approach and a deep dive into the root causes of your concerns. Perfection is so boring. We're going for progress. Our customers are plant-based, looking to go plant-based, or wanting to ditch diets and strengthen their relationship with food.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up on an Angus cattle farm in small-town Indiana. As you might guess, meat and dairy were a big part of daily life. Unfortunately, so were GI issues like chronic constipation. For years, I was told to manage my issues with medication instead of considering the food I was putting into my body. I earned my Masters of Public Health and Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and became a registered dietitian in 2012. But, even after all that, my issues didn't completely go away. It wasn't until I did personalized research to dive deep into my own life and my own eating habits that I noticed a significant change. For me, this meant transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle.
After that transition, I knew there were others who could benefit from a diet filled with more plants. I also knew it was critical for the coaching they received to be based on a deep understanding of their unique situation. That's when I realized why I became a dietitian. I made it my mission to help others transition to a plant-centered way of eating through a holistic approach and intuitive eating practices. I'm motivated by helping people and by building a business that allows me to live the life I want to live.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping hundreds of people thrive on a plant-based diet or ditch diets for good. I never would've thought I'd be doing what I do now. Believing in myself and creating this business, and quitting my consulting job is a huge accomplishment for me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part about being a business owner is feeling like I can't shut myself off like I have to be on and going 24/7. It's a work in progress, but that's my biggest struggle. In addition to carrying the weight of being a business owner, who better to bet on than yourself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle.
- Start taking action while focusing on the first couple of steps, not steps 99 and 100.
- If it's too overwhelming, but you feel like this is what you're meant to do, hire a coach.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://plantcenterednutrition.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/plantcenterednutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantcenterednutrition/
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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