Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susie Izzo, owner of Vitality, located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Focusing on the convention and meeting arena, Vitality seamlessly brings wellness into the workplace. With classes like desk yoga, guided meditation, breath work, and stretch, Vitality allows companies to truly invest in the health of their clients and employees. Beyond offering these beneficial classes during any work agenda, Vitality also organizes corporate events and retreats focused on wellness and self-development.
Tell us about yourself
I was a corporate event planner for many years and always loved healthy living and self-wellness. While I really enjoyed planning lavish events for big corporations, I wanted to do it in a way that served my clients and myself more meaningfully. So, I combined my knowledge of health and wellness with my skill set in event planning and created Vitality!
My overall motivation is being able to introduce a person to a practice or habit that will make them feel better and allow them to be happier, not only in their personal lives but in their workspace too. I want to give employers an opportunity to invest in their business by investing in the health of its people. And I just really enjoy event logistics too!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
A personal accomplishment as an owner is maintaining healthy relationships with the people I work with, whether they be clients, staff, or vendors. Professionally, the Amazon Distribution Center in North Las Vegas recently contracted Vitality for their employee wellness event called "AmaZen." That was huge. Along with live music, food, and drink, we had about a bunch of different wellness modalities—everything from Tai Chi to Goat Yoga to motivational speakers and art therapy walls. The America Prevention for Suicide came out along with equine and animal therapy. Successfully creating and executing that event was a big accomplishment this year.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to be self-sustained and self-sufficient. Sometimes you are IT, graphics, marketing, HR, etc. There are no days off, but the days are more fulfilling most of the time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have three types of budgets. One to sustain you during start-up, one to actually start the business, and one to make sure the business makes financial sense, aka a profit and loss statement.
- Don't be afraid to fail; failure can be your friend.
- Ask for advice from people who have done it before. Pay for their time if you need to. They have experiential knowledge that can be priceless.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
“A big business starts small.”
-Richard Branson
Where can people find you and your business?
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susieizzo/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vitlality
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.