Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rebecca Walker, Managing Partner of Cambiati Wellness Programs, located in Lafayette, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Cambiati Wellness Programs in Lafayette, CA. We are a small, women-owned private functional nutrition practice. Our clients are typically women (although we support a few good men) who struggle with digestive discomfort, hormone, and thyroid dysfunction, weight management, fatigue, trouble sleeping, mood disorders, and even pain.
Tell us about yourself
I used to be really sick. I had a lot of digestive issues, was ill a lot of the time, struggled with sleep, and even went through a time where I gained 30 pounds in 30 days! I had a very big wake-up call when my father died unexpectedly of a heart attack. I felt that his death was preventable with proper nutrition and made major changes out of fear of dying that same death. When I changed my eating and lifestyle habits, everything changed for me. My digestion improved, I stopped getting sick, started sleeping, lost weight, and felt better than ever.
Most importantly, I wasn't afraid of dying young anymore. At the time, I was selling software, and while I loved what I did there, it wasn't changing the world. Since nutrition helped me dramatically improve my life, I was inspired to help others transform their lives with food, herbs, and vitamins.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Staying afloat during COVID is also something I'm really proud of. We had to do some reinvention and actually added a whole new area to our practice—vitamin IV drip therapy, which has been really popular and gives people immediate gratification and results. We're also best-rated on Yelp in the area and have won awards as a standout in the community, making us a go-to and trusted expert for our services locally and around the country. The most meaningful part of the awards is that they were voted for by clients, not industry-powered ones. That vote of confidence from clients and knowing that I am making a difference in their lives is my biggest accomplishment. There is nothing like someone coming in and telling you how much you have changed their life for the better.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a small business owner, there is always something to do, so it's hard to get downtime, even on my days off! In the early years, I also wondered if I was going to be able to make my passion profitable—which I'm so excited to say yes, I was! Recently, COVID really took a toll on lots of businesses, including mine. Being creative to get through that time was one of the hardest but most rewarding things I have done as a business owner. We pivoted our business, and while it was hard, it led to some incredible epiphanies and new ways of doing business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Have patience (not one of my virtues)! Growing a thriving business takes time, effort, and focus. Don't get distracted by shiny objects—stay focused on the things that make an actual difference and bring in revenue rather than adding more services or products and trying to do it all. Delegating to trusted employees and staff and using technology and automation is something else that has really helped streamline our business and allows me to spend time doing higher-level business operations. We use a lot of technology. Document as you go! We've developed lots of operations and procedures. Finally, if you can do something in five minutes or less, don't put it off until later!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cambiati.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cambiati/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambiati.wellness.programs/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambiati-wellness-programs/
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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