What made you take the leap in entrepreneurship?
I was working in a high stress corporate PR job which eventually led to me developing debilitating migraines so painful I had to miss days of work at a time while I lay in a dark room trying to recover. I was in and out of doctors offices and was constantly sent home without a solution (other than a harsh prescription drug). After months of frustration, I decided to take matters into my own hands and get to the root of my migraines holistically. Through a special elimination diet and a focus on self-care, I was finally able to heal naturally and at the same time learned how to eat for my body in a way that was fueling me. After 12 years of yo-yo dieting, I was finally learning how to eat for nourishment (not deprivation) and I wanted to help other women do the same. So, I signed up for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a certified holistic health coach, quit my corporate job and relied on a myriad of side hustles to make it happen..and here we are today!
What’s your favorite part about being your own boss?
I love the freedom I have to grow my business exactly the way I want to. I can dream as big as I like and no one has the right to tell me it won’t work… I just stay focused on my “why” and keep moving on! I also really enjoy being able to plan my day in accordance with my working style and when I’ll be the most productive and passionate! I have a calming morning routine that really helps me set the tone for the day and I find that spending 15-20 minutes phone free is a real game changer.
Do you have any work philosophies that drive your business?
To always remember that my story is my gift and my “why” is fuel so as long as I can focus on those two things, comparisons or doubt won’t be able to hold me back from getting after the 2.0 version of myself and my business!
What does “bringing breath to business” mean for you and your brand?
When I think breath to business, I think taking a pause and asking myself- Does this feel inherently right for me and my brand? Am I making this move because I feel like I should in order to make more money or because it’s a genuine decision that lights me up? I am committed to only doing things and providing services that feel like ME and that I feel with provide a service that will really help people to get after their next level lives!
What’s your biggest tip for social media success?
Rather than focusing on number of likes, views and comments, focus on your message. Ask yourself “Is this something that I’m proud to share?” “Am I providing value to others?” “Am I posting this because I really want to or because I think it will get me likes?” When you only publish posts you’re proud of and focus on your message, the engagement will come. Quality over quantity all day!
What would be the one piece of advice you’d give to someone working to “find their passion or purpose”?/piece of advice you’d give to someone working on building a brand/business?
If there’s something you love so much that you can’t stop thinking about it, give yourself room to explore what it would look like to lead a life where that very thing was your career. Visualize yourself in the place of having that job. What would it feel like/look like/be like? Pull yourself towards that magnetic visualization and if you’re completely sucked in, this is a good sign it might be something you’d thrive in! Take small action steps in the direction you want to go and be kind and patient with yourself too because it’s a journey and not a race.
Try to delegate the tasks/projects you are not skilled in or that create frustration or dread. It may seem unrealistic to hire someone when you’re starting out but you can find amazing interns online and/or allocate a small budget to the tasks that are taking you away from moving your business forward. The age old phrase “you gotta spend money to make money” truly applies in this scenario!