Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Aiello, Founder of HappiHuman, located in Kamloops, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Brain Health Professional, and Certified HeartMath Practitioner, I offer nutritional consulting services, meal plans, and recipe e-books. People work with me when they want to improve their brain health, mental clarity, and cognition, as well as those looking to naturally manage anxiety, depression, or post-concussive symptoms.
Tell us about yourself
I first became interested in nutrition, specifically neuronutrition, after my husband sustained a brain injury years ago. Traditional medical approaches were lacking, and medications only made his symptoms worse. When I discovered how nutrition could be used as medicine, and he started to progress in his recovery when we drastically changed his diet, I knew I had to share this knowledge with others!
That’s when I traded my teaching career for one in natural nutrition. A short time after completing my certification, I became a Brain Health Coach to deepen my knowledge of brain health and what the brain needs. What motivates me daily is hearing all my clients' success stories after following my recommendations - especially if they have been suffering for years without relief.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To date, my biggest accomplishment has been the recognition I have received from the alumni association of the nutrition school I attended by being the 2021 recipient of the Julie Daniluk Award. In addition, I have been overwhelmed with the support and recognition I have received over the years from my local community as I have been awarded the “Kamloops Reader’s Choice Award” for Top Nutritionist the last three years in a row and have been published in several “Good Life” magazines produced by Nature’s Fare Markets.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is time management and balancing time between my family and work.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
For anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today, I’d say go for it! If you are passionate about what you have to offer, then you owe it to the world to share your gift!
What initially helped me to create a schedule of tasks to be completed each week, then stick to it. I determined all the things I wanted to accomplish, then divided those tasks among the days of the week, so I knew what I would focus on each day. To help maintain a healthy work-life balance, I made sure to schedule dedicated time for my family and me.
Another tip I would provide new business owners is to realize you cannot do everything on your own! Ask for help when needed, and do not try to take on everything yourself. Realize it is okay to say ‘no.’ If you don’t think your mental wellness can handle taking on any more responsibilities, then it’s in your best interest to turn them down. It’s better to be great at a few things than spread yourself too thin and end up doing a poor job at many things!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://happihuman.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenutritionalnerd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritionalnerd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-aiello/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kellyaiello
Podcast: https://happihuman.com/nutritionalnerd
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.