Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Teresa DeNike BS CCSH, founder of Sleep Better NYC, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

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

Sleep Better NYC is a company for sleep coaching and care coordination. Our customers fall into two categories- "consumers" and "clinicians." The consumers we help are individuals who are experiencing a decrease in their quality of life due to poor sleep. They want information and support without all the generic, confusing information they see online. These people may want to stop snoring, improve their overall health, achieve a fitness goal, or increase their energy levels to be more successful at work.

The clinicians we work with offer our services to their patients. They are seeing so many patients every day and don't always have the time to educate and ask all the questions they need about sleep. They work with us to provide that information and help their patients get through the process of sleep testing and treatment when necessary.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in medical and dental consulting for about 14 years, and when I got into the sleep field, things instantly clicked. I saw the incredible transformation that patients experienced when they were treated for sleep disorders, specifically sleep apnea. I also realized that so few people knew about sleep and the options.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Just getting started! Honestly, I have been so fortunate to meet some of the best researchers and doctors in the field, I am working on partnership agreements with well-known companies, and I have helped some really amazing people along the way. But, none of this would have been possible if I didn't decide to put full effort into my personal goals. I left my full-time employment with a big company, got my clinical credential, started my business, and decided to put all my effort into it to make it work.

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

For me, it's the never-ending "To-Do" list. I love my job, and I want to grow, so I'm always thinking of what's next and what I have to do. However, it's not good for anyone's mental health to be "on" all the time. I have to manage my time efficiently, remind myself that I can't do everything at once, and take a break and/or seek help when necessary.

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

  1. Visualize your goals. Visualizing helps keep your mindset positive and can help manifest your ideal future. It also helps you to understand all the details of your process and prepare for potential breakdowns before they happen.
  2. Stick to your boundaries. You need to set boundaries to be able to focus on work and get things done, but you also need to set boundaries with work to prevent burnout. More importantly, you need to stick to these boundaries, and you need to surround yourself with people who appreciate them as well.
  3. Don't worry about the competition. I'm not saying don't do market research or ignore what they're up to. But- you've got to stay focused on your own business and your own products to serve your customers the best way you can. Otherwise, you could get stuck in a cycle of doubt and change, with little time to actually get things done.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

As adults and as business owners, we get used to being stressed and tired. The truth is, we don't have to accept total exhaustion and burnout as "normal." There are plenty of small steps you take to improve your daily habits and mindset that have tremendous effects on your sleep & wellbeing. Sleep disorders are also very common and treatable, so don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or a sleep coach if you need help!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sleepbetter.nyc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepbetternyc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepbetternyc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sleep-better-nyc/

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.