Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniela Ginta, Founder of Nutrition Matters, located in Kamloops, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a nutrition consultant specializing in healthy aging (by reducing inflammation which is a common denominator for many aging-related diseases), and I also provide nutritional guidance for women as they go through perimenopause and menopause.
My customers are people who want to see themselves aging with dreams and adventures in place rather than give up on them because of physical or health limitations that can be avoided or mitigated. They want to maintain a sharp mind and a strong and healthy body which allows them to pursue activities well into their eighth and ninth decade of life. My customers are people who share the belief that our bodies are resilient and capable, and they want their eating and lifestyle habits to reflect that.
Tell us about yourself
I have a strong science background, and I started teaching science at a nutrition post-secondary school while also writing about health topics, with a particular interest in prevention. An almost two-year position with a medical research company proved to be the catalyst to starting on the nutrition counseling path. I literally transitioned to 'walking the talk' once I realized that people around me, family and friends included, but also the general population, are quick to accept that aging is a process where the body falls apart slowly, and there is nothing we can do about it.
Hearing from people I work with that they feel better in their bodies and wake up inspired to work at maintaining or bettering their health is a powerful motivator. Also, still a science geek through and through, I am constantly amazed at the amount of health and nutrition information available. While it can be nauseating to comb through, it is also uplifting to know there is so much that our bodies are capable of doing if we employ the right tools to support them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far (my business is still in a very early stage) is my commitment to providing science-backed reliable information to my clients and site visitors. Part of my commitment is sending out a weekly newsletter that provides worthwhile actionable information for people. Hearing back that it makes a positive impact and that it's something to look forward to receiving every Friday reinforces my belief that providing a valuable product to clients is how I envision my business as it grows.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Initially, it was the 'deer in the headlights feeling once you start putting yourself out there. There is doubt, the ever-creeping imposter syndrome, and the nagging 'what if this fails' thoughts. The good news is that putting one step in front of the other and finding the education resources plus a community to rely on can help with all that.
Once you're out there, a few other difficulties rear their heads, including learning to manage time properly to allow for all the tasks that need to be accomplished and navigating through slower times without thinking the worst right away but instead finding ways to keep motivated and refresh perspective as required. Another one is being able to disengage and allow for time away from anything that my business represents, including reading books, listening to podcasts, and researching, all of which I love doing but realize that it can get draining if done relentlessly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find the WHY of your vision that will become your business. Having a solid reason as to why you want to pursue something is like having a lighthouse that will help guide your journey home when you get too far away from solid ground and feel a bit panicked.
- Find a specialty (niche) in your chosen field/business. As much as we want to cater to everyone, things become easier in terms of learning and handling the business once you know who your customers are.
- Maintain a growth mindset. Be willing to learn a lot, so you can stand behind your services with confidence, knowing that you offer a quality product/service, which can also help quiet the 'imposter syndrome voice' that pipes up when least expected.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
One piece of advice I heard from many accomplished business owners and made a big impression on me was that you need to get out there and start doing things rather than aim for perfection before you launch your business. It's easy to get lost in polishing a website or curating the social media feed, but what really gets you the inspiration and motivation you need to 'swim' is actually jumping in the water.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://nutritionmatters.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritionmatters_kamloops/
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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