Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charlene Kennedy, owner of Kennedy Nutrition, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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

I'm the owner of Kennedy Nutrition. A group Registered Dietitian practice where we focus on giving 'Good Food Advice.' We all need to eat - that's a certainty. What, when, and how to eat is where it gets tricky for some people.

Our clients come to us for many reasons, and with our diverse team, we find the right dietitian to match the situation. From there, we strive to provide evidence-based yet practical guidance for our clients. Whether it be managing gut health, figuring out how to improve the intake of a picky toddler, or optimizing intake for diabetes, we pinpoint strategies to meet the needs of both the individual and family.

Tell us about yourself

My career as a dietitian began at our local children's hospital, CHEO. This is where I found my personal niche and love for pediatric nutrition. Eventually, I transitioned away from CHEO and into the flexibility of private practice.

I remember being interested in becoming a healthcare professional from a young age. I knew I wanted to help people in some way. And that's what I'm doing. Every day, I am able to make a difference in someone's life. I never have the Sunday night 'blah' feeling.

I look forward to my work and feel lucky to say I truly love my job.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say growing my practice to the point of being able to hire additional dietitians. It's been hard work, with many ups and downs, but I'm thrilled with where I am at the moment.

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

Definitely work/life balance. It's not a 9-5 job that you can walk away from at the end of the day. Vacations always involve keeping up on emails and returning phone calls. That being said, I've developed lots of strategies over the years to help with balancing everything, but it continues to be a work in progress.

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

  1. Just start. It doesn't need to be perfect. You will adjust, improve and optimize with time.
  2. Realize that being your own boss is likely more stressful than having a boss. Nobody's expectations will be higher than those you have for yourself.
  3. Give yourself grace. Mistakes will happen. Turn those mistakes around and use them as learning experiences to improve your business moving forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Deciding to start my own private practice was one of the best decisions of my life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://goodfoodadvice.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedynutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedynutrition/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.