Starting A Successful Nutrition Business Even When Life Is Crazy Busy with Catherine Johnston, RD – Ep. 130
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What’s getting in the way of starting your own nutrition business? Is it fear of putting yourself out there? Is it a lack of time? Today’s guest felt this way but she didn’t let that stop her. If you’re in need of some inspiration to start your dream business, you need to listen to today’s guest’s story.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 130 OF THE FED AND FEARLESS PODCAST
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About Catherine Johnston, RD
Catherine Johnston is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and virtual nutrition coach.
She helps adults with gut discomfort from IBS or IBD create a personalized, whole person-focused wellness plan to feel their best and create the life they want.
Catherine grew up in the upstate of South Carolina enjoying fresh peach ice cream, garden-grown green beans, homemade dill pickles, and wild blackberries. She still lives there with her family of four and two pups. As a full-time working mom, Catherine understands the challenge of balancing responsibilities while still prioritizing her own health and wellness.
The Journey to Starting Her Own Nutrition Business
Catherine shares that she moved from clinical nutrition to corporate wellness, which was fast-paced and intense. While juggling her career, she faced personal challenges that caused a lot of stress. (She mentions that one of Laura’s podcasts resonated with her and helped her manage it.) Later on she gave birth to her twins which prompted her to rethink her priorities and desires in life.
After maternity leave, she realized she needed to balance family, work, and personal interests. Because of this, she began exploring work-from-home opportunities so she could continue her career while caring for her growing family. This gave her the space and idea to start her own private practice.
She started posting on Instagram to be more visible online, even a little uncomfortable at first. She took bigger steps later, like joining the NBA program and investing in her business. She credits her husband, and expresses that just being surrounded by supportive people is a big help to stay motivated. Despite being anti-debt, she made a financial investment and worked hard to pay it off. This combination of reflection, support, and determination was what helped her get to where she is now.
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth
Like most people trying something new, Catherine also experienced fear, often wondering “What are they gonna think of me?” when she was starting her nutrition business. She reflects on how the fear of judgment was a challenge at first, but gradually she overcame the fear by having a “Who cares? It’s fine” mindset and embracing personal growth which gave her the confidence to voice her own opinions, even on controversial topics.
When you find yourself afraid to begin something new, Catherine wants you to think about the skills and knowledge you already have. You’ll realize you are capable. Also, take a look at other people who are doing what you want to do. If they can do it, so can you.
The Importance of Choosing a Niche
One of the hardest parts when starting out is choosing a niche. We often want to offer everything to everyone. Yet, niching down will actually help your business more than being a generalist.
Catherine explains that she found all sorts of benefits once she focused on her niche. When she did so, she felt more empowered than before to grow her business. It gave her permission to say no to the wrong clients, ultimately giving her more freedom and a boost of confidence both in her business and personal life.
How to Start Your Nutrition Business Despite Being Busy
For those who are still hesitant to start their own business due to fear or time constraints, Catherine advises to focus on what works for you, whether that’s delegating tasks or starting small. She emphasizes the importance of seeking support and giving yourself permission to not follow a “cookie-cutter” path, and just focus on what you can do now at your own pace, while always staying true to your values.
What fears are holding you back from starting your business? How are you going to work past these? Here’s one of our latest blogs that might help: How to Overcome Fear of Commitment in Your Coaching Business
IN THIS EPISODE
- What led Catherine to become a nutrition entrepreneur [4:10]
- Why difficulties and fears are an individual matter of perspective [14:20]
- How to overcome your doubts and begin to take action [19:55]
- The benefits that come from choosing a niche [25:00]
- The difference between choosing to not share something and just being too nervous [36:30]
- How and why to confidently share an unpopular opinion [41:00]
- Advice for overcoming what’s standing between you and starting your business [53:50]
QUOTES
“I still want to work. I love being an RD. I love helping people, but I don’t want to fail to care for my other responsibilities that I’ve brought into this world now.” [9:22]
“All these other dietitians are awesome and doing great. But why can’t you have a little piece of that pie?” [21:50]
“In our culture, we’re very polarized. There needs to be just some hearing of other opinions and some open-mindedness involved.” [45:08]
“Give yourself permission to not to be like everyone else and to follow a cookie-cutter plan…. Go at your pace and do what’s best for you.” [55:21]
Design a profitable practice that honors your natural wiring so you can grow without the burnout. Explore coaching programs built for who you are.
LINKS
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Meal Planning Guide: A guide to help your weeks feel more structured, achieve your health goals + give you the space you
need to do the things that matter most.
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Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative
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I'm a strategic advisor and diagnostic thinker obsessed with helping established coaches and experts build businesses that actually fit who they are, so they can keep more of what they earn and stop swimming against the current in their own business.
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