Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Allie Bourgeois, Owner of Make Life Peachy, located in San Antonio, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Make Life Peachy, a virtual private practice. I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who is passionate about helping others feel confident around food and in their body. I specialize in disordered eating and eating disorders, which means I work with a variety of conditions and food struggles, including binge eating, emotional eating, chronic dieting, PCOS, prediabetes, and more. Ultimately, my goal is to help my clients heal their relationship with food so they can live their healthiest life without food fears or a negative body image holding them back.
Tell us about yourself
I always dreamed of working for myself and starting my own private practice, but I never imagined it would happen due to a global pandemic. In 2020, I was working in clinical nutrition at a hospital but ended up getting furloughed due to the COVID pandemic. I started seeing clients virtually on my own until I could go back to the hospital. However, I soon discovered how much I enjoyed coaching clients and working for myself. I started accepting more and more clients as my social media gained traction, and I decided to work for myself full-time and focus on growing my business.
While working with clients, I noticed that many of them were struggling with disordered eating and body image. I niched down to intuitive eating after realizing this was the biggest need for my clients. Intuitive eating was also what I personally practiced because I had previously struggled with restrictive eating and body image, so this niche came naturally. Every day I wake up, I am grateful I get to do what I do and often have to pinch myself that I have my dream job. Seeing clients make progress over time and the positive impact this work has on their lives is incredibly rewarding and motivates me daily.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
There have been many accomplishments I've made as a business owner that I am proud of. Such as hiring an assistant, launching various products and programs, and getting in network with health insurance companies. But, as cliché as it may sound, I think my biggest accomplishment has been starting and staying consistent with my business even through the hard times. Looking back, I think the hardest part of starting a business was actually starting. Taking the leap into entrepreneurship took a lot of faith and belief in myself. It required me to face and challenge many limiting beliefs and fears. Then, after starting, there were many times I felt like I wouldn't make it or like it would be easier to quit. However, I kept pushing forward and kept building and learning, and this is what I am most proud of.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
When I decided to start my own practice, I quickly realized that my education prepared me to be a dietitian, but not a business owner. For me, the hardest part of starting my own business was learning the business side of things. I had a steep learning curve when it came to things like finances, sales, and marketing. With that said, I think one of the hardest parts of being a business owner is that you end up wearing a lot of hats!
However, this has also been one of the most rewarding parts of owning a business. It's a great feeling to learn, get creative, and problem-solve. Leaning into my favorite parts of the business has been fun, like marketing and delegating areas I do not enjoy, like accounting and administration. Overall, being a business owner means you are always learning. You will not only grow your business, but you will also grow as a person as you develop skills and leadership qualities.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start before you feel ready. It will never feel like the right time, and if you wait to feel ready, you may never start. I highly recommend starting now and learning as you go.
- Know that done is better than perfect. As a recovering perfectionist, this is something I often must remind myself of. Do not let fear of imperfection stop you from starting. Consider this quote: "Your first art will be awful. Your first photo will be awful. But you can't make your 50th without making your first. So get it over with, and make it."
- I would encourage anyone looking to start a business not to underestimate the power of social media. Many people will look up a business's Instagram before Googling it nowadays. So, take advantage of the free marketing! Tell your story, stay authentic, and have fun with it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://makelifepeachy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makelifepeachy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/make_life_peachy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/makelifepeachy_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-life-peachy-llc/
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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