Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyle McRee, Founder of Wellness Your Way, located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Wellness Your Way was created to help individuals and businesses meet their definition of wellness. Too many people have negative experiences with healthcare-related fields because they feel as if they are being told what to do.
Instead of that method, Wellness Your Way wants to understand what makes you tick so that we can help guide you to your happiest self. Our individual customers are people that want to explore all aspects of wellness besides physical health, which is our specialty.
Being well is so much more than a number on a scale or counting your calories, and we understand that very well. Our corporate clients are those that feel a need to integrate corporate wellness into their overall business strategy. By doing this, companies can experience gains in financial stability, employee morale, and company culture in general. Just like with our individual clients, Wellness Your Way will have thoughtful and meaningful discussions with corporate clients to understand how to best serve them. Plus, it will be at a manageable cost compared to a nationwide vendor.
Tell us about yourself
Before I started this business, I worked as an exercise physiologist at a local hospital in the Triad area for four years. Primarily, I worked in the weight management program setting up exercise programs for weight loss surgery patients and those under medically supervised diets. I still enjoy working with the exercise side of things, but I felt like I was getting stagnant after four years.
Going back to college, I had always wanted to get into corporate wellness. When the pandemic hit, it felt like a good time to start putting things together for that transition. I went back to school for my wellness management degree and health coaching certification to broaden my skillset and make a difference for people beyond personal training.
One of my biggest motivators is that I have always enjoyed the feeling of people telling me that I have made a difference for them. That has brought me joy all the way back to working with weight management patients. From a business perspective, I enjoy having different things to work on during the day to get some variety. I can spend a few hours on a topic and transition if I want to. My biggest motivator is that I have overcome my own health challenges, and so this business is the method by which I can make sure I don't waste my newfound health. Sitting back and saying I own my own business is also a pretty neat feeling.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It may sound like a cop-out, but my biggest accomplishment is that I made it to year two as a business owner. It signifies that the clients I was able to generate thought enough of me to keep investing their time and money into my services. Obviously, without recurring clients, there is no recurring business operation.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Personally, the hardest thing has been the marketing side of things. That has been a big challenge as someone who doesn't mess with social media and has no marketing background. As a new business, you've got to market yourself, so I have had to take a lot of time to read about and explore varying marketing techniques and concepts.
Secondly, being a business owner is tough in general. However, it's important not to lose your motivation or willingness to work at it if your client sheet isn't filling up quickly. It takes time, unfortunately, but keeping perspective on it will help.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Particularly if you are a new business owner, make sure you have invested time in your marketing efforts. Develop a fully detailed plan to help make the most of your time and effort on this component.
- Don't be afraid to talk about your business. Anytime you get the opportunity to mention it, you have to do so. You never know whose interest you might pique with your services.
- Have a dedicated workspace for your business. Whether you have a physical location or work from home, separating yourself to focus on your business will make a huge difference. It doesn't matter if it's a small part-time business you do after your 40-hour/week job or the business is your sole income. Separating yourself from distractions and getting in the proper mindset will help you become successful with it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wellnessyw.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065658662743
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-your-way/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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