Do You Have What It Takes To Run A Health & Wellness Business Online?

Running a successful business is hard work.

Running a business that is focused on helping people be the healthiest

that they can be & using the online platform as your storefront can be

EXTREMELY challenging. 

Is it doable?

Of course it is.

Are you up for the challenge?

That is a question that only you can answer.

While you are pondering this question check out this article I read on

DamyHealth.com and learn about the pros & cons of running a health &

wellness business online.

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I Love The School Of Greatness Podcast by Lewis Howes!

Lewis Howes has an awesome back story. According to Wikipedia, he is an author, entrepreneur and former professional arena football player. He often tells the story about how he was essentially homeless and living off of the generosity of his sister for a place to sleep. Many years later he has turned his life around and has become a catalyst for the motivational mindset movement.

On his podcast The School of Greatness, he interviews artists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to find out what makes them tick and what makes them great. If you are looking for a positive energy boost check out his podcast and read an article I wrote last year about mindset.

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STAY PRODUCTIVE IN YOUR BUSINESS WITH THIS CHEAT SHEET

How To Stay Focused & Not Get Burned Out When Building Your Business

How is your business doing? Do you have everything on your checklist done? What about client acquisition? If you're feeling overwhelmed then check out my previous post on how to get your motivation back and get back on track.

 

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How To Offer Your Service As Part Of A Wellness Employee Program.

So you have the skills, the drive & the passion for helping people be their best. But the only problem is you have no one to help. A great option might be to offer your services to a company as part of their employee health and wellness program. 

According to Inc.com, "Findings from 56 studies on worksite wellness programs that were published in the American Journal of Health Promotion showed an average 27 percent reduction in sick leave absenteeism, 26 percent reduction in health care costs, and 32 percent reduction in workers' compensation and disability management cost claims". 

Your services have a real impact on employees work life and the business owners bottom-line.

A win-win.

How can you get started with helping businesses & their employees?

Health & Wellness Consulting Companies

There are companies that exist to connect health & wellness professionals with businesses that have an onsite employee wellness program. Infinite Health Coach is an example of this service offering. They are a hub for businesses searching for practitioners. They use a RFP system to help with the matching process. 

Go Directly To The Source

As entrepreneurs, our job is part marketing and part service delivery. A great way to get business is to find out what companies in your area need health & wellness services and cut out the middle man by delivering it directly to them. WellSteps is an online site that has gathered over 50 wellness programs that you can use to start your research. 

The Possibilities Are Endless

This is your business created to share your unique talents. The marketplace is waiting on you to deliver only what you can deliver. These tools offer a great starting point to research and find your ideal clients and go on the journey with them towards a healthier lifestyle.

What are some other ideas you have on offering your services? Share in the comments below.

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5 Creative Ways To Make Money As A Health & Wellness Professional

Having a dream to be a successful health and wellness professional is great. But you need a way to get from your dream to your reality. Below are 5 creative ways to make money in this space.

1. Work with corporations and offer your service as a part of their wellness employee program.

2. Create an online program that is focused on your area of expertise.

3. Do group offsite classes or coaching.

4. Create a weekly podcast.

5. Offer your services as a part of specialized retreats and conferences.

There are many ways to make money as a health & wellness professional. In the upcoming weeks, we will take a deep dive into each of these ideas to see how you can take action.

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Show Me The Money!

We have all heard this famous movie quote from Jerry Maguire,

"Show Me The Money" 

And as business owners first & foremost we care about serving our clients with the best service possible.

But the bottom-line is well the bottom-line:

Are we making any money?

This month we will be looking at creative ways to make money in the health & wellness space and shine a light on those entrepreneurs who have reached their money goals ten times over.

So get ready to dive into how your clients can show You the money in exchange for helping them live the best version of themselves. Need some motivation? Check out one of my previous blog post on mindset & motivation here. 

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Why Stitcher is My Favorite Podcast Tool

Today I will keep it short & sweet.

I love consuming content by reading blogs, watching videos & listening to podcasts. The Stitcher app is my number one source for listening to all my favorite podcasts. It has over 65,000 podcasts to choose from and no I am not getting paid to share this with you.

Give it a try while you're working or working out. Last week I shared an awesome inspirational story I heard on Entrepreneur Onfire about John Morrow. If you haven't had a chance to check it out then go do it now. It will motivate you beyond your wildest dreams.

Check out stitcher.  What are your favorite tools to listen to a podcast? Share with me in the comments below.

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A Motivational Story On How A Man Who Couldn't Move Found Success His Way

Everyone get's distracted and even discouraged at times when working towards making life work for them.

Every 3rd Thursday of the month I will be highlighting how different entrepreneurs found the strength to turn lemons into lemonade.

My goal is to share these stories in an effort to encourage all of us as we go about trying to live life on our own terms.

The first story I will share is of John Morrow.

John has built multiple multi-million dollar businesses.

He has discovered what hustle & grit can accomplish if you choose to put them to work for you.

John can't move from the neck down.

Listen to his story here as he tells it to John Lee dumas on the Entrepreneur On Fire podcast.

Think.

Reflect.

Take Action Today.

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How to Stay Motivated When Building Your Business

Do you sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel that never stops? Like you are working towards your goals for getting your business off the ground but your not getting anywhere? I can sure relate to both of these feelings. And when I feel like I am hitting a brick wall I go back to square one to regroup: My "Why".

Simon Sinek describes your why as, "The purpose, cause, or belief that inspires you to do what you do".

It sounds simple but in the rush of everyday life, this idea can get lost. I would encourage you to write down a one-sentence statement that describes why you are interested in being a health & wellness entrepreneur.

Make it bold and personal.

On the days when you feel like you are spinning your wheels take it out and meditate on it. Or put your statement on a piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror. The point is to stay motivated and energized toward making your business a success. Take a listen to the TED Talk Simon did describing this "why" idea in greater detail.

What is your "why"? Tell me in the comments below.

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Are You Burning Out From Building Your Business?

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April is here and spring is underway.

How is your business doing?

How are you doing?

Are you stressed out trying to run your business and your life?

I know first hand how you can become burnt-out when you're trying to maintain the upward trajectory of your business. You want to succeed and not give the naysayers anything to talk about. If you are looking for tips on how to avoid burn-out check out this post I wrote back in November.

As we move ahead this month I will be sharing different ideas on how to market yourself so that you can build your client list. Like the Burger King slogan, you can "have it your way" BUT you must have a plan and take action.

This journey we are all on is worth it. As Wayne Dyer famously stated, "Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life".

So relax. Take a deep breath and let’s get ready to build connections and relationships so that we can help our clients be their best.

Start by reading my post on how to avoid burn-out and share some of your own ninja tricks below that keep you from burning the candle at both ends.

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3 Tech Tools You Can Use To Communicate With Your Clients

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The month of March went by way too fast!

We dedicated the whole month to taking a sharper look at how to give your health and wellness business a reboot, tips on how to make your online business more sound and ideas on how to attract your ideal client. As the month ends we will round it out by looking at 3 tools you can use to communicate with your clients. We all know it is hard to find good clients so ensuring they keep coming back is paramount to keeping your business healthy.

 Communication is key.

Using email only to talk to clients can get cumbersome. Here are 3 tech tools you can use to stay connected with your clients.

1. Slack: This is a collaboration tool with many bells & whistles. If you have a project with a team and you need a way to keep your client in the loop then this tool may be just the one to use. Check out how it all works here.

2. Ryver: This is a competitor to Slack and has a lot of great features. The best part of using this tool is that it is free. You can check it out here.

3. Google Suite: Google is the best when it comes to having tools for text-based chats, file sharing, email and video chat. The cost for the basic plan is just $5. 

There are all sorts of techie tools to use as a way of staying connected to clients. The most important thing to remember is to make sure your client knows how to use the tools so that you can make the most out of it. So what tools do you love using to stay connected to clients? Share in the comments below.

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How to make sure your client is a good fit for you

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How much time are you spending with potential clients before you take them on as a current client?

Last week we discussed tips on how to attract your ideal client and this week we take a deeper look into how to vet our clients.

In his article, Tips on Vetting Prospective Clients, writer Chip Camden states a golden fact: “We sometimes forget that not all business is good business." Wow! This is so true. 

As health and wellness professionals your time is very valuable and in demand. So using technology to consult with clients is a must in order to work in an efficient way.

Picture this: You kick butt doing all the “right” marketing things, you spend time networking online and in person. Finally, it all pays off in the form of a potential client lead. But what you do next will either leave you in a happy zen place or crying the blues. You must ask yourself this question?

What method should I use to vet my clients?

Should you rely mostly on email, a phone conversation, FaceTime, Skype or some other face to face video tool to meet with them?

This issue was raised on a forum I am a member of and for the professional who posted it the outcome was not good. They chose to use email only. Their potential coaching client was located overseas so they believed that email would be the most efficient tool to use due to the time differences. The health coach mentioned that they should have spent more personal time with this client to make sure it was a good fit BEFORE they signed them up & took their money & subsequently had to offer a refund.

That is the price of not really thinking through how much time should you spend with potential clients before you sign on to help them. It is crucial to pick the right tool or tools so that your consulations produce good results. 

So what tools do you use to vet potential clients? Share your thoughts below.

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5 Quick Ideas To Attract Your Ideal Clients

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We are in business to deliver a service or a product or both to our ideal clients. What exactly defines an "ideal client"?

According to the site Business News Daily, " Your ideal clients are the people who see the value in your efforts, seek out your services and are willing to invest in your services and pay you what you are worth".

But there seems to be a "mystery" about how to attract our ideal clients. Here are 5 quick ideas on how to do just that:

1. Create a blog that adds value to their lives

2. Create a virtual event that showcases what services/products you sell that will change their lives

3. Create a community that connects them to others who are on a similar journey

4. Create a case study to demonstrate social proof of your services/products

5. Use social media to build your brand & create raving fans

The #1 key to attracting your ideal client is simple: Create value for them. Demonstrate in tangible terms how you can make their lives better. If you answer the "What's In It For Me" question clearly, then you will have more customers than you know what to do with.

Your turn. What are some unique ways that you have seen others try to attract their ideal clients?

Share in the comments below.

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3 Tips For Starting an Online Business in Health and Wellness

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You love all things health: nutrition, coaching people, holistic living. So you decided that you are finally going to follow your bliss and start your online business focusing on health and wellness. Or you may already be in business.  In any case it never hurts to do a business checkup periodically to make sure everything is running smoothly.  If you have jumped into the health and wellness space to help people in person or online via coaching or both, having the right business basics in place will help you to serve your clients well.

 Tip 1: GET A BUSINESS COACH

I think this is the best place to start when you are ready to move from being an employee to an owner. It's also great if you're an owner right now and your business is not growing. According to Entrepreneur.com, "A business coach is somebody who helps you move from where you are to where you want to be, and does so by solely focusing on your goals". Here is a great article on 10 ways hiring a coach will help you reach success. 

TIP 2:  INVEST IN YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

There is a myriad of ways to gain knowledge for your health and wellness business:

Podcasts: The Wellpreneur by Amanda Cook is a great audio resource for health and wellness professionals filled with great tips on how to make your business a success. The podcast Entrepreneur On Fire by John Lee Dumas will keep you inspired about your entrepreneurial journey.

Networking: If you are looking for a great place to learn about how coaching fits into your business and network with like minds then check out Dan Miller's site 48days.net. It is a hub for entrepreneurs in general but more specifically coaching entrepreneurs.

Certification: A great way to continue to stay abreast of the latest trends in the industry and display credibility to your clients is to have a certification in your field of focus. The Integrative Nutrition site is a great place to start the research process. This list on the Exercise Science Guide site is another great place to check out.

TIP 3:  PUT THE NUTS & BOLTS  FIRMLY IN PLACE

Do you have a robust internet connection? Have you maintained your business license or researched your business name? On the site Long Live The internet, they suggest that "One of the most important steps to starting an eCommerce business is getting organizing with a To-Do list". Here are a few things they suggest you have on your list:

• Define your startup capital $$
• Decide on a name
• Register your domain name
• Setup your email
• File your corporate paperwork
• Get a federal Tax id EIN
• Register with the State for Sales Tax
• Setup your bank account
• Fund your account
• Get checks and debit/credit card
• Get a phone number
• Decide on an accounting strategy
• Design your logo

The journey to being a successful health and wellness entrepreneur can be exciting. It will run more smoothly if you have a good plan in place. These 3 tips are a great place to start to help you along the way. 

Do you have some other tips for getting started or restarted as a health and wellness entrepreneur? Share with me in the comments below.

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How To Reboot Your Health and Wellness Business This Spring

Spring time is here and it is a great time to start or reboot your health and wellness business. During the month of March we will talk about:

• What business foundational basics you should have in place 

• How to attract the right customers that are your ideal fit

• What to do with them once you have found them

• How to keep your customers happy

The first thing we will start with is mindset. I have a great message on my wall calendar for this month:

Insert the Wayne Dwyer quotes!

What are some creative ways other businesses have used on YOU to gain you as a customer?

Share in the comments below and.....

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Social Proof

What do people say when you tell them you want to be a health & wellness coach?

Are they confused? Do they discourage you from doing something that seems so left field? Do you secretly have doubts that what you want to do is even a real profession?

Well here is some social proof to give you encouragement. According to an article published in The Hill, "Health coaches are the future of preventive health care". And the U.S. government agrees, by passing the recent Health and Wellness Coach resolution. "Both parties clearly understand and agree with the new research and a growing movement embracing a holistic approach to wellness with food and lifestyle as the new prescription of choice and health coaches as the guides".

Be encouraged and motivated to continue toward your dreams of changing lives by being a health & wellness coach! 

Have you been met with opposition toward your goals? How did you move past them? I hope this little snapshot of social proof helps you to side-step the naysayers.

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GO IN PEACE

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It's so easy to run yourself down while trying to help others so much that you find yourself in the need of care. Sound familiar? I previously listed ways you can live more intentional in 2017 by staying fit & removing the distractions in your life. Now it's time to seek out the #3 way to live more intentional in 2017:

Practice Meditation Type Activities

I will admit that I am still working on being in a quiet peaceful state. But I am learning when to say "NO" to tasks or activities that disturb the balance in my life. Some tools that I use to get back on track are:

Listening to spa type music that I find on my cable station Music Choice and of course they have an app to download so you can take your slice of serentity with you on a hike.

Practicing yoga by subscribing to my favorite yogi Rodney Yee at Gaia.com. Mr. Yee has been apart of my yoga experience for along time. I still consider myself a beginner but his training is great no matter what stage your in.

Finding quiet time first thing in the morning & just before I drift off to sleep at night to pray to God. This is my time to thank my Lord & saviour Jesus for waking me up in the morning and bringing me back home in one piece at night. Sometimes I listen to worship music to get my mindset in the right direction or a sermon. I like Pastor Rick Warren, John Gray, Joyce Meyers, Steven Furtick & of course TD Jakes. They all provide me with a different perspective on how to stay connected to my faith that feeds my soul.

What about you? What are some ways that you seek to establish more peace & balance in your life so that you can continue to serve others? Sharing is caring.

STAYING HEALTHY & FIT IN 2017

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So in my last post, I talked about how to live more intentional in 2017 by cutting down on the noise in our lives. Today I want to focus on getting fit by doing this:

Get Moving!

The new year's "I am going to get fit" resolution goal is in full swing for many people. I think it is a great goal to have but I also think we tend to get tired and bored just as fast. As health & wellness professionals you probably understand this behavior more than most people.

Time To Try Something New

I just discovered this event called Daybreaker and it looks like something I will definitely put on my list to do this year as a way to stay fit in a fun way. I love dancing in Zumba class and Daybreaker is all about hanging out with the fitness crowd and meeting up to dance. I know it sounds nuts but hey it looks like a lot of fun that will get your blood pumping. It's just one of the many new trends in the health & wellness space happening this year according to the blog Mind Body And Green. 

So what is your favorite workout activity to get you moving and energized towards keeping your fitness goals? Sharing is caring.

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How To Live More Intentional in 2017

The first month of 2017 is in the record books.

 It went by pretty fast in my opinion. Have you thought about what you want to accomplish this year in your business & in your life? Over the next few weeks, I will introduce some ideas on how to live more intentional so that you can move forward toward your goals with clarity & focus. 

Idea #1

Turn Down The Noise

If you're anything like me you're constantly surrounded by noise from the t.v. or the phone or from the computer.

We are so connected to our technology that when we can't find our phones we go into panic mode. And yes I am sure just like me you probably sleep with your cell phone in your bed or near it. But according to an article in the Huffington Post, "We’re consuming about three times the amount of information today that we did in 1960".

That is bananas!

I now stop all things technology one hour before bedtime and read a book or listen to soundscapes until I fall asleep. Here are some ideas for finding relaxing sounds to get some zzz.

I also turn my phone on airplane mode so I can still use my alarm but not get awakened by text messages or notifications. 

Action Step: Take a step back from your life & see where you can cut out the noise of technology. Let me know about your ideas. 

 Sharing is caring.

 

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