Are you considering starting your own nutrition business?
Maybe you’d rather be employed?
We’ve put together some information that can help you make the best decision for you!
This article covers:
- Are you an entrepreneur?
- What does it take to run your own nutrition business?
- Do you want to be your own boss and are you ready?
In this article we’re going to look at the pros and cons of running your own business, so that you can decide which option is best for you!
Are you an entrepreneur?
Firstly, what does the word “entrepreneur” make you think of?
For some, it paints a really intimidating picture of a CEO or lofty, Ivy league educated businessperson…
For others, it might inspire visions of something a little more attainable and closer to home, like owning your own brick-and-mortar shop.
The truth is that anyone can be an entrepreneur!
Anyone with a viable idea and a plan to execute it can start and create a profitable and sustainable business…
And yes…
This means you!
However, not all nutrition professionals have ambitions for running their own business…
In fact, many thrive under the umbrella of a larger company, where they can feel safe and comfortable working for someone else.
Both are good options, and it really depends what works best for you and your goals.
What does it take to run your own nutrition business?
Yes, what DOES it take to run your own nutrition business?
That’s quite a loaded question!
First and foremost…
You need to have a REAL passion for helping others and an interest in nutrition on a personal and professional level.
Once you’ve established that, the next step is to see what foundations you need to get your own nutrition business going…
Here’s a short Business Essentials Checklist to help you get an idea of what you’ll need to get started.
- Do have the funds available or would you need external funding, such as a loan? Then you’ll need a business plan that includes information on your marketing strategy and revenue projections.
- Are you planning to grow your business later on? Setting up your own company does not cost a lot and will become crucial later on. Ask a knowledgeable friend or expert for advice.
- Do you want to see clients face to face? Then you’ll need to pinpoint a location.
- Do you have hopes of working with clients remotely (such as online)? You’ll need a plan for running your nutrition business remotely, including the many technologies you might need.
- Do you have a list of goals? Make sure that they are achievable, and both long and short-term.
- Do you know your target market? Before you start creating marketing materials, make sure you have a good idea of who you want to work with and help.
- Are you confident working with clients? Make sure you test-drive client interactions so you see what works.
- Have you built the right expertise to help your target client? Make sure that you’ve obtained the relevant credentials to kick-start your nutrition business.
- Do you have the right client tools? You’ll need client assessments, health questionnaires, and various other bits of hardware.
- What kind of insurance coverage will you need? You want to make sure both you and your clients are protected from harm.
These are just some of the essentials, and it may help prompt other questions that you hadn’t originally thought of. Each practice is different.
You can also adapt the above list should you decide to pursue your business as more of a side hustle while you maintain your regular job.
All of the above can seem intimidating…
But if you genuinely want to become a nutrition entrepreneur, it’s all doable with the right education and level of support!
What does that mean? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons…
Pros of running your own business:
- You can call the shots, make your own plans, and design a nutrition business around YOUR goals
- You can focus on the activities or outcomes that you believe to be the most valuable
- You can decide who to work with and control the volume of work you’re taking on
- You have the freedom to build a schedule around your needs
- You aren’t limited in the amount of income you can generate (break free of the salary standards!)
- You have the power to decide how fast or slow the company grows
- You can decide when (and whether) to build a team of people you KNOW are qualified to help!
Of course there are also various cons – not everyone is as successful as some of our graduates. For example:
- You’re responsible for your funding and running costs
- You’ll need to identify, find, and sign up your own clients – and keep this going
- You’ll need to organise your own activities and schedules
- You won’t have a guaranteed income unless you build up a solid client base with quality clients
- You’re ultimately responsible for the success or failure of your business
- You might find that you have to prove many people wrong who think it’s more stable to work for a larger corporate instead
It’s therefore extremely important to weigh all your options and to be as informed as possible before committing to either career path…
Do keep in mind…
You can change your career path at any time.
We constantly see students shift from wanting to learn for themselves, to wanting to set up their own nutrition business.
Are you ready to be your own boss?
Take a minute to reflect on the checklist above, together with the pros and cons for each path.
Maybe even take it a step further…
Print this out, grab a highlighter, and mark the pros and cons that are the MOST important to you!
The most important thing is to evaluate what aligns most with your personal and professional goals.
This will help you develop a clearer idea of whether you’re ready to be your own boss, or whether you’ll thrive working for a company!
Either way…
If you want to grow your own nutrition business, and want to work with your own clients, we’re here to help.
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