Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dana Leipold, Founder of Third Act Wellness LLC, located in Castro Valley, CA, USA.

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

Third Act Wellness teaches women over 45 how to reduce their stress, calm their minds, and take care of their bodies through yoga, meditation, breathing, and wellness coaching so they can make the most of their third act in life.

Tell us about yourself

I hit my mid-forties and noticed that my body began to change, and it seemed like it was out of my control. No matter how much exercise I did, I couldn't lose the weight...and I was TIRED ALL THE TIME. I drank coffee to stay awake at work and wine at night to "unwind" so I could sleep. Then after turning 50, I realized my teenage kids didn't need me as much anymore. My husband was deep into his career, and I didn't know what to do with myself. It all came to a crescendo when I started experiencing severe pain in my lower back that ran all the way down my right leg and on the right side of my neck. I found I could no longer sit at my desk and do the job that I'd been at for over 20 years without suffering. My doctor told me I had sciatica and said I should quit my job if I didn't want to live in pain. Anxiety gripped me (and I drank more wine to ease my anxiety) as I tried to figure out how to heal myself so I could earn a living.

Feeling worthless, with no direction, and self-critical, I discovered a book called Life Reimagined: The Science, Art, and Opportunity of Midlife by Barbara Bradley Hagerty. After reading it, my whole perspective changed about the possibilities for my future. Then I decided to study yoga, holistic nutrition, and meditation. My body AND my mind began to shift into ease I had never experienced before, and my pain was gone! I noticed that I was stronger, had more energy, and, most importantly, developed equanimity (the ability to stay calm and centered, especially in difficult situations). I wanted to share this new perspective with every woman over 45 on the planet! So, I created Third Act Wellness LLC.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Seeing how simple acts of self-care and movement make a massive change in how my clients feel and carry themselves. My biggest accomplishment is focusing on one client at a time and not getting hung up on the fact that I don't have hundreds of clients. My goal is to help whoever comes to me, ready to focus and make positive changes so she can feel great and age well.

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

For me, there are too many "experts" out there with systems, processes, and solutions designed to help small business owners market and grow. I've taken way too many business courses and boot camps, some of which have been useful, but it's easy to get caught up with these programs. When you're starting, you really don't know what you're doing, so you look for help, but in the end, it's better to keep it simple, focus, and do what works for you. Ignore everything else because it's all just a major distraction from doing the hard work.

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

Here's what I've learned and what works for me:

  1. Focus your product or solution on ONE ideal customer. Do everything with your product or solution to make that customer's life easier and better. Do that REALLY well and keep doing it longer than you think you should because you'll gain momentum.
  2. Make your processes as simple and easy as possible. This includes how your customer finds, learns about, and purchases your product or solution. Forget complex marketing, sales funnels, or complicated checkout. If it's confusing, you'll lose customers.
  3. Unless you're looking to be an influencer on social media, don't stress or spend too much time on social media. I'm in the business of building relationships, and it's hard to do on social media. At the same time, you need a presence, so videos are the best way to show people how you speak and articulate yourself. But I'd suggest only focusing on one or two social media outlets. It's very easy to fall down the rabbit hole so try your best to pick a social media outlet that works for you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thirdactwellness.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.thirdactwellness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdactwellnessnow/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leipold/

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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