Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Colleen Montgomery, founder of Wellness Within LLC., located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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

Wellness Within LLC proudly serves motivated women who are ready to take the reins of their heart health so they can feel vibrant again. We inspire gradual and impactful lifestyle change that imparts energy, confidence, and improvements in heart health that are leaps and bounds above what traditional healthcare can achieve. The wonderful women I work with range from those wanting to dip their toes into the pool of lifestyle change to those ready to dive right in. No matter their readiness, I have their back one hundred percent.

Tell us about yourself

I began my career working with heart patients in cardiac rehab, which is like physical therapy for heart disease. After years of witnessing many of my patients face worsening heart problems despite taking "all the right medications" and "doing all the right things," I knew there was a better way.

I supplemented my degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology with plant-based nutrition and health coaching certifications. I started my health coaching business to empower women in their heart health journey by combining the most impactful healthy lifestyle habits with the most powerful lifestyle behavior change techniques. This combination supports women in making daily changes that reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol, excess weight, and more in meaningful, realistic, and permanent ways.

I’m motivated not only by my client’s results but by how their results make them feel. When one of my first clients dropped her cholesterol by 100 points, lost 35 lbs., and, most importantly, felt strong and confident about her future, I knew I was right where I needed to be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm excited to have recently authored a heart health book and meal plan, Prevention's Ultimate Heart Healthy Meal Plan, in conjunction with Prevention Magazine to reach a larger audience and help more people! It can be found here.

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

Reaching the masses! You can offer the best product or service in the world, but without a wide reach, your services won’t get to all of the people it can help. I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error learning how to get in front of an audience so that my service will land in the right hands. Luckily, word of mouth is a powerful thing!

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

  1. Define your vision. Your vision may not be clear in the beginning, but write it down and add details as you go. Define the problem you want to solve, the people you want to reach, and how you plan to make that happen.
  2. Talk, talk, talk. There are people out there who need your services. You never know if they're right in front of you or if that person in front of you knows someone who needs you now. Talk about your business. Communicate your passion and how you want to help. Get the word out.
  3. Be patient. Expect lots of no’s, maybes, and rejections. Not everyone needs your product and/or service, but having patience and perseverance in reaching people will get you noticed–that is the key to survival. Also, remain positive and upbeat throughout the process.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Having confidence in yourself and your health is a cornerstone of a great quality of life. It doesn't, though, change the fact that lifestyle change can be intimidating. But with the right support, information, and techniques, feeling great and thriving (regardless of your current state of health) is entirely possible. Swing over to my website to find out how.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.wellnesswithinhealthcoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnesswithinllc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithinllc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-within-llc/

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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