Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary-Catherine LaBossiere, Founder of Defy Nutrition, LLC, located in Colorado Springs, CO, USA.

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

My business is Defy Nutrition, LLC, where I serve both individuals and organizations. At Defy Nutrition, I offer individual nutrition counseling, personalized meal plans, and an online program to help individuals repair their relationship with food. I also provide interactive nutrition workshops for other organizations so that they can bring more value to their employees and customers.

Tell us about yourself

In the entrepreneurial space, they tell you to talk about your why, or in this case, the story behind my mission. In the summer of 2010, my life was changed forever. Leading up to that, my mom's health concerns had consistently been dismissed time and time again. She was told the ubiquitous statement, "Just lose weight," as though losing weight would solve all the world's problems. My mom had been eating well and exercising most days of the week, yet she could not lose weight. Unfortunately, as is common, no one asked about her food intake or exercise habits. They saw her size and immediately assigned judgment. I remember the oncologist saying that the tumors they found most likely had been growing for anywhere from 1.5-3 years, and if she weren't obese, maybe they would've caught it sooner. THAT is a problem. Obesity and weight stigma should not be an excuse to miss a critical diagnosis and, in her case, one that took her life within 11 days.

I am on a mission to empower and educate individuals to improve their relationship with food so that they can live longer, happier, and healthier lives. The key word to me is empower. At the end of the day, each of us knows our own body's best, and it's our responsibility to advocate for ourselves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is surviving and thriving through COVID and geographic relocation. I officially opened my LLC in January 2020, right before COVID went into full swing. I had to adapt from in-person to 100% virtual. In 2021, I relocated my business from Tennessee to Colorado, which was a feat in and of itself, especially when it comes to networking and getting my name out there in a new place.

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

For me, one of the hardest things as a solopreneur specifically is that entrepreneurship can be lonely. I am a one-woman show, which can be hard when you are more accustomed to a team environment. You get to take credit for all the wins but also have to take responsibility when you aren't hitting your targets. On top of being lonely, it can be a lot of pressure at times.

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

  1. Find cheerleaders that are "not" your family or close friends.
  2. Lean on organizations and communities made of like-minded individuals. For example, I am part of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) and the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce.
  3. Identify your why. There are times in business where it is an absolute rollercoaster. One month, you could have soaring revenue, and the next, you may be scrapping by. Having your "why" to return to can help you get out of bed in the morning and stay passionate.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://defy-nutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefyNutrition/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defy.nutrition/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marycatherinelabossiere/

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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