Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Beth Warren, founder and CEO of Beth Warren Nutrition, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We inspire clients to live a healthier lifestyle, mind, and body, with the power of quality nutrition and all areas of wellness. As a team of registered dietitians, we believe in the power of food to not only manage weight but improve overall health, manage chronic diseases, boost mood, increase energy, and improve sleep and quality of life. Our BWN Method is unique; it teaches scientifically based nutrition strategies while working with clients' individual goals and lifestyles. We go beyond "just food" and work with a client as a whole, getting to the root of the issue as to why they are not meeting their health goals and keeping them motivated the entire way.
Tell us about yourself
I'm motivated by the clients sitting right in front of me. Most of them are overcoming personal and other challenges getting in the way of caring for themselves, their weight, and their health. I am in awe each day watching them surpass their wildest expectations in what they can accomplish to meet their goals despite the immense struggle. It motivates me each day to push through my own challenges, and I am lucky to be in the expert position I am to not only help them but help myself as well.
I'm a mom of 6 kids, author of 2 diet and cookbooks, an avid boxer, and involved in many other hobbies and projects that keep me passionate and give my life so much more meaning. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help inspire others to fight to keep themselves a priority through self-care that includes healthy eating and living, mind and body, while they follow my own.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was going back to school for my master's in nutrition and registered dietitian certification while working part-time and having kids. I continued to build and raise a family, blessed with six kids, and grow a largely successful private nutrition practice. I'm also proud to have written and published two nutrition cookbooks during that time. I will never forget the feeling of holding my books in print and seeing them on the shelves of Barnes & Noble. I feel most accomplished when I see my clients accomplish their goals too.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's hard as a business owner when you get bogged down in the "business" part when you want to throw all your focus on counseling clients. The reality is you are constantly balancing both, including managing a team, marketing, accounting, and insurance issues. There is always a fire to put out but building a great team is key. Holding on to the work-life juggle struggle is real, but I've come to a point after 11 years where I have a pretty good gage at establishing boundaries to protect myself while prioritizing my family and work too.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right to you, it's not.
- Seek trusted mentors. Take their advice to heart, including constructive criticism.
- Be a sponge. Every experience is a learning one. You are not above anything. You need to learn from everything.
- There is no such thing as competition. You are only competing with yourself, always look back inward to push yourself and grow beyond what you were doing before. This will make you inherently proud and happy in what you're doing, and that light shines brighter in attracting the right people to work with you. There's only one original. Being supportive of others only helps you make your journey more meaningful.
- Be authentic. That's what pulls clients towards you.
- If you're not 1000% passionate about what you're doing, stop. Because only that drive pulls you through the tough times, and there are many!
- Learn not to take everything personally, while taking everything personally!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't allow anyone to tell you that you can't. If you want it, you can. You need to work harder than you ever worked. You will get thrown off many times, but the strength that builds is how you keep coming back. Have a focus, but learn to be flexible and pivot. Build a strong support team around you, and do not listen to anyone putting you down or making you feel like you cannot because you can!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bethwarrennutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethWarrenNutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beth_warren/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethwarrenrd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethwarrenmsrd/
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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