Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and nutrition but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Katie Reines, Owner of  Vitamin Katie, located in Venice, CA, USA.

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

I help driven women finally feel confident about their plant-based lifestyles as well as develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies so they can feel confident and free, making a positive impact and inspiring others to do the same.

Tell us about yourself

I have been interested in disease prevention since a young age as my father is a medical doctor who would frequently talk about the frustrations he had with his patients who need not be in the hospital if they didn't eat so much fast food, smoke or drink so much alcohol. It was quite sad to listen to.

The desire to not end up like one of my dad's patients led me on a path to health, teaching fitness classes, working at a plant-based restaurant, and interning as holistic health and nutritional counselor in high school, later graduating with a master's in human nutrition and become a registered dietitian. I have struggled with my own insecurities and obsessiveness with food and health, and being able to relate to other driven women who seek a balanced and holistic approach is what motivates me the most.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To me, my biggest accomplishments are the testimonials of people's lives being changed forever for the better. Getting to hear how inspiring and life-changing my cooking classes are and getting to taste for themselves how delicious healthy options can be. I also am proud of the publication of my "Heart Disease Cookbook."

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

Staying organized and time management. I know I am good at what I do with nutrition. The business side of things trips me up with keeping track of payments, organizing documents and emails, and ensuring I am carving out time for other things besides work ^o^!

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

  1. Fake it till you make it. Don't beat yourself up for not being confident and successful right away. Confidence and success build over time. I am so proud of myself for pretending to be confident right off the bat. I got to a point where I realized that no degree or validation would provide me the confidence to overcome my imposter syndrome, and I had to trust that the only way to get better at coaching and running my business was to get my @$$ in the saddle and coach and run my business.
  2. Followers aren't everything. I used to think I needed more followers to get clients. That is not the case. Thirty followers who follow closely and care what you have to say are a lot better than 3,000 who breeze through your content.
  3. Go coach shopping and hire one who isn't trying to scam you. I have had the most success with my business in times when I'm working with a business coach. Some coaches out there are super prices and leverage you with their incredible salesmen tactics and get you to feel super desperate emotionally. Don't go dropping $10,000 on a coach like I did. Shop around, find someone you really connect with and trust and that you can reach out to personally. Someone who sees your vision and that you can see yourself sticking within the long haul.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Right now, I do take on clients on the side, I also work part-time at the Create Cures Foundation in Santa Monica, and I teach farm-to-table cooking classes in Hawaii. I love the flexibility of my lifestyle, and I hope it inspires others to create a life they love!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://vitaminkatie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktreinesy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitamin.katie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vitamin_katie

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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