Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julian Hayes II, Founder of Executive Health, located in Nashville, TN, USA.

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

Executive Health is a boutique concierge that creates and implements bespoke, holistic high-performance health and longevity strategies for forward-thinking executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. Our focus is on providing state-of-the-art concierge executive care.

Each of our clients receives a highly personalized approach starting with developing a comprehensive profile to identify what makes them truly unique. We'll leverage genetic testing & analysis, fitness & nutrition assessments, DEXA scans, advanced performance analytics for stress & recovery, micronutrient testing, NAD testing, extensive longevity blood panels, anti-aging assessments, cognitive & nervous system assessments, and much more. We mostly work with clients online and have an in-person component for those who want the highest level of attention and detail.

Tell us about yourself

I'm an executive health & performance advisor who acts as the CEO of my client's health so they can have peace of mind and focus on living life at its pinnacle. I've been involved with health for over 15 years in various forms. I host a podcast called Executive Health & Life. Lastly, I've had 300+ articles published in Inc., Entrepreneur, SUCCESS, & many more publications.

I'm most excited about playing a role in redefining what it means to age and perform throughout our decades of life. Thriving at 100 should be the new normal. And running around with your great-great-grandchildren—not just seeing them should be the norm. These sort of "radical ideas" is what provides fuel for me each day. These people having abundant amounts of energy and optimal health throughout the decades isn't just beneficial for them but also for those closest to them and society as a whole.

All of these ideas and visions make the tough days where nothing seems to be going right, along with the sacrifices throughout the years, worth it. My origin story started with the pursuit of becoming a doctor (an Ophthalmologist, if we're specific). However, after one year of medical school & some chance encounters in New York, I left to pursue an even bigger dream: starting my firm. I've had multiple iterations of my business along with the direction I was taking it in throughout the years. Outside of work, I'm a hybrid athlete who also enjoys reading, checking out restaurants, listening to music non-stop, learning languages, & working on my salsa (along with many other Latin dances).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Taking the chance and betting on myself. It wasn't a popular decision to leave school. It also wasn't a popular decision to shift my focus away from the typical fitness body transformation world over into the longevity and performance space. My ability to endure and show up regardless is my biggest accomplishment because it's made me a better person in all facets of life. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that seeing a handful of clients radically change their identity and purpose in life due to taking control of their health has been an honor to witness.

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

Being consistent even when you don't feel like it. When you're building from the ground up or beginning any meaningful project, there will be a lag between seeing results and your effort matching up with each other. You'll have to ignore your current reality and keep taking action regardless of what you see in this present moment because your desired future will only become a realization by taking the appropriate actions in the present moment.

Being a business owner is a mental game more than anything. People around you will not often understand times or see your vision, so you'll probably feel lonely at times. But it's worth it! Lastly, developing or at least maintaining a solid personal life can be a struggle (or maybe it's just me here).

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

  1. "Fail fast" — There's no such thing as failure unless you quit, so wrapping your mindset around that is key. Most people's definition of failure is falling short of a desired goal or project. But falling short is just feedback. The quicker you "fail," the quicker you get feedback and learn for the next iteration of your product or service. Put yourself out there and review afterward.
  2. Embrace your uniqueness — It's tempting to look at your industry norms and people who seem to be succeeding and emulate them. Resist this habit. What will help you succeed long term is your uniqueness. For example, there are numerous personal trainers, nutritionists, health coaches, consultants, and so forth. But each of them has a unique personality, methodology, and way of saying things that people resonate with, which ultimately helps them. Take the fundamentals of your industry and then put your unique spin on them. I studied and took inspiration from industries unrelated to health and infused them to create my service and brand. Also, realize that you're always constantly evolving, so don't be rigid on your details, but stay rigid on your vision.
  3. Stay patient, but also stay aggressive — These two seem to be the opposite, and they are. But one of the most important skill traits is to have the ability to juggle two ideas at once. Realize that great things take time to come to fruition, but this doesn't mean that you just sit back and coast. This mentality and skill trait is something that will come over time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.executivehealth.io/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejulianhayes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/

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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