Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Angela Tam, Founder of Angela Tam Behaviour Nutrition Coaching, located in Aurora, ON, CA.

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

I am a behavior nutrition coach, and I support busy women in finding an enjoyable, sustainable, and practical way to eat that helps them feel their best. I know how it feels to be confused by all the messages out there about nutrition. I have been there myself. Many clients also came to me because their previous diets were restrictive, and they had to eliminate the food they enjoyed or grew up eating. They missed out on eating with their family and friends and felt guilt and shame for not being able to adhere to their diet. They felt disempowered because they were stuck in the cycle of yo-yo dieting, and they felt like they couldn't trust themselves.

I help my clients cultivate a flexible, self-compassionate, and growth-oriented mindset, practice being mindful of their body's hunger and fullness cues, hone their skills to make informed and intentional decisions about their nutrition, enjoy meals with friends and families without feeling anxious and stressed out, and eat in a way that makes them feel great physically, mentally, and psychologically without having to give up their favorite desserts or their cultural foods.

Tell us about yourself

My master's degree is in behavior analysis, and my specialty is behavior change. I worked in Autism services for many years, and I had the vision to use the science of behavior change to help more people eat a healthy and balanced diet. It took me several years to start transitioning into my current role as a behavior nutrition coach. I was very much being held back by my unhelpful thoughts, self-doubts, and fear of failure. Learning more about the science of mindset and psychological flexibility has helped me finally make a career change that is so fulfilling.

Seeing my clients gain confidence and progress in their mindset and health-focused habits motivates me daily. Many of my clients are moms, and they take so much pride in modeling what healthy and sustainable nutrition habits look like for their children. These habits are built from a place of self-compassion, self-care, and having a healthy relationship with food, rather than from a place of restriction or hating one's body.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is putting myself out there every day, even though it feels scary and I had no idea how to run a business. I had to step outside of my comfort zone and learn many things that were completely new to me.

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

Learning how to run a business is an ongoing challenge, and I still have so much to learn. I am a mom of three young children, and learning how to balance work and family life is not easy.

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

  1. Sit down and brainstorm your vision for your business: What kind of problem(s) are you trying to solve? Who will you be helping? How will you help? How is your business going to be different?
  2. Clarify your values and why you want to own your business. It is not easy being a business owner, and things will get hard. Connecting to your values and whys will make it easier to push through the challenges, and your effort will feel much more worthwhile.
  3. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I have learned that most people are happy to help and support you, whether hired help or just having a casual chat to share their experiences. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help, and you can't do all of it on your own.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

"Healthy" eating goes beyond just the food we are eating. It is not healthy if we are constantly stressing over food, spending hours shopping and meal prepping every week, and missing out on opportunities to share meals with our friends, family, and colleagues. I aim to make healthy eating more accessible, inclusive, practical, and enjoyable for more people so that we can continue to eat this way for a long time to reap the benefits.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://itscoachangela.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itscoachangela
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itscoachangela/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/itscoachangela
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsuangela/

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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