Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shaylyn Tinari, Founder of Shay Tinari Nutrition, located in Springfield, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Shay Tinari Nutrition is my virtual private practice that uses a weight-inclusive and Intuitive Eating approach to help people improve their relationship with food, movement, and body. My goal for my clients is to free them from the cycle of dieting, help them never fall victim to another fad diet or weight loss plan again, and rediscover the pleasures of eating and movement through a well-defined, evidence-based model called Intuitive Eating, all while improving their overall health and wellbeing.
My clients are people who are struggling with their relationship with food or body image, who may have been on several diets, who have struggled with losing weight or have been told they have to lose weight to improve their health, or who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Tell us about yourself
I was first introduced to Intuitive Eating in 2017 during my dietetic internship, and I am forever grateful for that. I realized that despite what we have been taught, people could be healthy in all shapes and sizes and improve their health without changing their bodies. Seeing the research to support that and then having professional experience (clients improving their health markers such as A1c, cholesterol, and triglycerides without losing weight) has been amazing. It is such a motivator to continue to do this work. It is an honor to guide my clients along their journey of reconnecting with their bodies. There is nothing more special than seeing the ah-ha moments my clients experience throughout their journey of improving their relationship with food.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started my business in Fall of 2020, and by Dec 2021, I had to take a step back for a few months to go on medical leave. I am really proud of myself for how I handled that transition period and how I have handled coming back from medical leave. It certainly wasn’t easy, but I feel like I am in such a better place with my business - I will never take that for granted.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Imposter syndrome. I know it is something all people deal with, and as I talk to my clients, it is important for me when I am experiencing imposter syndrome to be compassionate with myself and seek out supervision from other professionals in my field to work through my thoughts and feelings.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be gentle with yourself! You have to start somewhere - try not to compare yourself to others.
- Network with other like-minded individuals to get support.
- Rest! In order to be your best, you have to rest. Set aside time in your day (or in your week) to do things you enjoy.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.shaytinarinutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaytinari.rd/
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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