Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Parker, Founder of The Fit Cookie LLC., located in Gillette, WY, USA.

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

My business is my website, where I mostly share allergy-friendly recipes with my readers. Most of our readers/customers are busy people who have food allergies or are caring for someone with food allergies and need to find delicious recipes that fit multiple food allergies.

Tell us about yourself

I originally started my website back in October 2011 as a hobby to share some of the recipes that I had been making to fit my family's food allergies. Between my kids and I, we have quite a few different food allergies and special diet needs that we had to work around. I really enjoyed baking, but I had put baking on the back burner because of our food allergies. Once I started tinkering with recipes, I was able to start baking again regularly, this time for a purpose: to help people with food allergies enjoy delicious food that they can share with friends and family. Having severe allergies can feel isolating sometimes, and being able to share a great meal or treat with others can help with stress and anxiety around allergies. I am motivated each day by knowing that I am helping others and the variety in my work (I film videos, take photos, cook, create graphics, etc.). I really enjoy what I do and love that it's flexible as well; I am able to take time off when family and friends need help.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is seeing how my recipes have reduced stress and improved life for people with food allergies. Especially parents of kids with food allergies who have been newly diagnosed and are feeling overwhelmed by having to completely change how they cook.

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

Being able to stay focused and productive. The internet is such a distracting place, and since I do so much of my work online, I usually end up struggling with staying focused on my tasks and not having my attention drawn away to other things.

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

  1. Find ways to serve others through your mission and business. Whether you are donating a percentage of proceeds to charities or serving needs directly with your business, it brings fulfillment, adds a sense of purpose outside of just making money, and helps to keep you motivated, knowing that you are improving the lives of others.
  2. If your business is web-based, make sure to put the work into good SEO from the beginning! My older blog posts were not SEO friendly at all, I didn't actually know anything about SEO early on, and now I'm working on re-writing old content to improve my website.
  3. Never stop learning, and always have an attitude of being open and willing to learn. Life changes fast (especially in the online world), and we need to be willing to learn new skills and sometimes step outside of our comfort zone. For me, that has included learning how to film and edit video better, learning SEO, and trying new recipe ideas and ingredients. Plus, learning new things all the time "exercises" your brain!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thefitcookie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefitcookie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefitcookie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefitcookie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjparker1/

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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