Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Rahe, Founder of GST Body, located in Boulder, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
GST Body is a health and wellness company dedicated to advancing the science of body care through movement, providing programs for physical pain & rehabilitation, fitness & conditioning, and prevention + healthy aging. We help bodies of all ages heal, peak physical condition, and age gracefully using a fascia - a unique body system that provides the newest scientific advancements in body care, health, and wellness.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Anna Rahe; I fell into this industry 25 years ago as a result of my own severe body pain and complication that were not being addressed or improved by modern medicine -east and west. I studied and learned how to heal myself and formed my company so that I could help other people with the relatively new science of fascia and the resulting technology I created to work with this medium.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been to attempt and work hard to bring a very new, not well-known, or understood product to a market that is currently overly saturated with trends and misinformation. The movement and fitness side of the health and wellness industry has not evolved over time with new science like diet and nutrition. Taking this product directly to consumers rather than other businesses has been intentional but a slow process of needing to educate the public about what they need to have healthy bodies and live long and vital lives. I am proud that I have taken this challenge, although it has been discouraging and dark at times.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me about being a business owner is needing to wear so many hats, most of which are not my specialty, and the time and effort required to learn and know all aspects of the business so that you can operate effectively and efficiently. Running a business was not my goal when I started the company, but it has been required of me. I love the creativity and diversity of the work but would also really prefer to do what I do best and let others do the rest. The second most challenging thing is to find people who are as good at what they do as I am at my genius. If I could find these people, the challenges of business ownership would almost disappear.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Only start a business doing something you love, i.e., making T-shirts.
- Make sure doing the actual business stuff is also something you love. 90% of the time, you will not be making T-shirts, so love the other stuff- creative marketing, collaboration on solving operation problems, etc.
- Your business easily becomes an extension of you. Make sure you are consciously growing as a person as you grow your business- that is the way to make sure both are successful.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Always try to approach doing business with the attitude of being of service. Give more than you take. Aim to be a conscious capitalist.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://gstbody.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gstannarahe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gstbody/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarahe/
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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