Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Juliana Leamen, Founder of Naturally Joyous Inc., located in Kitchener, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Naturally, Joyous Inc. is a health and wellness company founded by Juliana Leamen, with the mission to provide a new model of care for weight loss for women during the menopause transition and post-menopause, what she calls weight release, moving away from the 'diet mindset' and helping women find confidence from within.
Tell us about yourself
Juliana Leaman (MSc, BFRP, FDN-P), the founder of Naturally Joyous Inc, is a Board Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner specializing in empowering women transitioning through menopause with mindset support to optimize their weight release efforts. She is the author of 'Release - A Woman's Guide To Releasing Weight In Midlife Through Becoming Your Body's Best Friend,' the creator of the Release Methodâ„¢, and the host of the Confidence From Within podcast. Her journey of overcoming many health issues, including a spinal surgery in 2012 and persistent weight struggles, drives her passion and mission to change the weight loss conversation in midlife, so women can age gracefully by becoming the leaders of their own health.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Publishing my very first book, titled 'Release,' is at the top of the list. I've wanted to write a book for over ten years, but the timing was not right until recently. Even though the writing portion comes easy to me, I discovered that publishing a book takes a lot of work and a lot of skills! I was blessed to work with a great group of people to make this dream a reality.
With this book, I hope to reach a broader international audience, as I believe women from all around the world can benefit from this fresh perspective when it comes to their weight loss journeys.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a solopreneur that only recently started to build a team, having to master many tasks was the hardest part for me. There are so many moving parts when running a business, and to do them all well takes a lot of coordination, accuracy, and patience. I am happy to have waited as long as I did to start hiring help, as having a base knowledge of all areas of my business is important to me, so I not only know what I want to delegate but also how to help my team succeed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My first tip would be to get very clear on your own story and what motivates you to wake up every day and get to work. During difficult times, this is the most reliable source of inspiration we all have to tap into.
Secondly, I do not recommend growing a team right away. I know it can sound great to delegate tasks we don't like to do, but delegating too soon not only impacts cash flow, but it can also be difficult to properly lead the team if we do not fully understand aspects of the business.
Lastly, always start, then make it pretty. When I moved my business fully online during the pandemic, I created my very first signature program. Before spending thousands of hours and dollars on it, I launched and pre-sold a beta version, confirmed there was a need, got client results, then re-launched its prettier version with all the tech automation behind the scenes. I find too many business owners get busy building pretty websites or creating offers before doing much validation if there is a need for it in the market, so start there!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would like to briefly speak about my book, 'Release.' I am very pleased to share the last ten years of my career through this book to help women in midlife regain their confidence and feel empowered.
This is not a book about weight loss, another diet trend, or a magical solution you have not tried yet. This is instead a rebellion against hating our bodies and trying to change who we are. I often say I want women to read this book BEFORE their next diet, but for those currently on a diet, this book will help you change how you see the journey and will help you get better results, no matter the strategy you are currently following. More on the book here www.naturallyjoyous.ca/book
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.naturallyjoyous.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliana.leamen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturally.joyous/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naturallyjoyous/
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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