Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & nutrition but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mara Miriam Marilisa Trautwein, Founder of NaturaMara, located in Leer, Niedersachsen, Deutschland.

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

I'm a plant-based/vegan dietitian offering nutritional therapy, one-on-one coaching, courses, workshops, recipes, and more. I work mainly online, but I also see patients & clients in my region. I mainly focus on plant-based/vegan nutrition.

I am also an expert and work on many other topics like IBS, SIBO, weight management, PCOS, nutritional intolerances, lifestyle-related issues, and many more. I work with a holistic approach, taking the whole picture into account.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Miriam Marilisa Trautwein, but you can call me Mara since that's the nickname I grew up with. I am a Registered Dietitian (RD). I studied Nutrition & Dietetics in The Netherlands, graduating in March 2019 with a BSc. In Nutrition & Dietetics after 4,5 years of studying. In my study, I chose to specialize in clinical nutrition. I also took courses like Online Lifestyle Coaching, Cooking Instructor, Nutrition and Sports, and Medical English. I also worked on projects about malnutrition and the Low-FODMaP Diet in Belgium.

While studying, I gave up my student home in the Netherlands. I then lived for half a year in Indonesia, where I volunteered at the Kolewa Foundation in Bali. I also traveled to Indonesia while working on self-development and learning about different cultures. After coming back from Indonesia, I moved to Germany again. Nationality-wise, I am half Dutch and half German, and I grew up multilingual (NL/DE).

In January 2016, I decided to go plant-based because of personal health struggles (including IBS, SIBO, and leaky gut). I made the switch overnight and have stuck with it because my health issues and overall health have improved. The switch to a plant-based diet gave me an extra critical view and questioned everything I learned during my studies and elsewhere.

I did lots of self-study to answer the questions that came to my mind. It left me with an all-time strong desire to research and figure out everything by myself and not just blindly believe the statements of others. Therefore, I also tried many (plant-based) diets and fasting methods to gain experience. I am very passionate about lifelong learning.

On a more personal note, I love being creative in many different ways. This greatly influences how much I love experimenting in the kitchen to develop new recipes. I also love to express my creativity through photography, producing content, and more. Besides that, I am passionate about exploring the world, other cultures, and nature. I am quite an active person and never get bored. In 2020, I experienced a lot of personal growth again. I developed unique coping mechanisms to deal with many life situations, be happier overall, and find more peace, even in chaotic times.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think setting up the construct of my business, getting my certificates, getting the paperwork done, building work routines for myself, learning about rules and regulations, etc., and having my first sales and patients/clients have all been significant steps and accomplishments along the way.

I feel like it's a journey, and you always get new obstacles to overcome and things to accomplish. But of course, getting the first money to flow into my business is probably one of the most exciting accomplishments because, then, finally, the hard work starts to pay off.

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

I think the starting phase, where you put in loads of time, work and effort without yet getting anything back for it, is probably the most challenging phase where you sometimes might want to give up and feel overwhelmed, maybe even haven't gotten the appreciation for your work yet.

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

  1. Especially in the beginning phase, it's essential to constantly remind yourself why you started this, what your dreams and goals are, and why it's necessary to keep going, but also be ok and flexible with the turns your path may take.
  2. Make a business plan where you not only plan out your business ideas but also address eventual goals B and C in case plan A doesn't work out. Make sure to be realistic about the financial side and get a good plan for how you will sustain your startup and all other (private) costs. Things will almost always cost more time and money than expected. Make a plan for what you will do when you get short on cash.
  3. Seek support in your social surroundings. Talk to family, friends, partners, or anyone you want to talk to about your plans and ideas. Look for networks and connections that align with your objectives. Don't try to do everything alone; get support whenever you need to, and share your ideas and struggles with like-minded people or people in your business niche.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://naturamara.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturamara.dietitian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturamara_dietitian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Natura_Mara
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-m-m-trautwein/

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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