Inspired by the realization that we should all be thriving rather than just surviving, Tanya made it her life’s mission to share this message with the world. She now creates mind-body-food-lifestyle strategies for her clients in her business, The Art of Health, LLC. Her interview inspires us delegate the peripheral tasks in our business so that we can dedicate ourselves to what we do best.

What inspired you to become a holistic entrepreneur?

Through years of research, countless experiments, alchemies, different teachers, teachings and practices I came to change my life, completely. From my mind to my body and everything around it.

 

These incredible feelings of content, peace, health and happiness that I was experiencing had to be shared. I soon realized we should be thriving instead of just surviving, that it is our birthright to feel at our absolute best. So I decided to make it my life’s mission to share this powerful message with the world.

 

Tell us about your business or practice.

As a holistic health coach I propose a mind-body-food lifestyle approach for health-minded creatives.

 

Through my health coaching programs, single sessions or food workshops I deliver very practical suggestions that can be seamlessly integrated into one’s routine. I brake things down into really digestible and accessible pieces that are fun and easy to implement. This guarantees that the client will create new habits that will be sustainable overtime, because let’s face it, if it’s no fun, no one will do it.

By the end of our work together clients, they have a new-found awareness that expands to all areas of their life. The result is a happy, healthy and balanced client.

 

What is your current business model?

Currently I work with clients one-on-one because I want them to receive full attention and accountability. This way my suggestions will be very personalized and tailored to the client’s unique needs, concerns and goals. This kind of service is very effective and ensures the client reaches his/hers desired lifestyle.

My meetings with clients are held both in person or though Skype. Although I greatly enjoy meeting clients in person, the pleasure of helping people all across the globe though the internet is huge for me.

I am planning on taking most of my coaching online.

 

What has been one of your favorite moments as a business owner thus far?

I have enjoyed every single moment of building my company. It is incredibly exciting and rewarding to create my own vision from the ground up.

After I finished designing the brand, contents and website, and it finally went live, people started contacting me with incredible results and feedback and success stories. When customers report happiness, joy and excitement about my offerings, I know I am on the right path.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in running your business or practice?

Until now as a solo-preneur I have taken on every possible role in the company. From coaching to web design, branding, content creation, to marketing, promotion, finances, accounting, and everything in between. This has been challenging because as I have had to learn everything along the way, everything has taken more time than I anticipated. Doing this takes a lot of time, and so many things come up along the way which get in the way of the essence of my work which is coaching and content creation.

 

How have you overcome those challenges?

I have decided to delegate to a virtual assistant who can help me with admin and customer service work, so I can dedicate myself to what I do best.

 

How do you find new clients?

Mostly through word of mouth, one client refers another and so the network keeps growing. The other way is trough my website, which I share though Facebook and Instagram.

These two platforms have been very helpful to me in the growth of my biz. I use them to share other content that is valuable to my tribe. This has brought me back new clients and referrals.

 

What have you found to be most effective in securing new clients to sign up for your services?

Interestingly, every one of my clients has come to our initial health history session knowing they would sign up. I love this certainty because it shows the motivation and determination people have to overcome their challenges and finally reach their goals. I guess this happens because I am attracting the right people.

 

What do you do to keep your existing clients engaged in the long term?

I like to keep things interesting so no one session is the same. I take clients though an incredible health journey where they get to know themselves very deeply though different practices, tools and exercises.

Clients never know what to expect. This surprise factor keeps them engaged and the positive results get them really motivated and excited to keep going.

 

As your own boss, what is your best strategy for staying focused and productive during your workday?

I have come to learn that I work best in the mornings, so I make sure to maximize work at the times that I am most efficient. As an entrepreneur there is no set schedule and work can easily take over life. For this reason I have decided to give myself at least 1 day off per week where I can do anything that is not work related. This is very relaxing and recharging to me, so I can come back more clear and focused.

I also depend completely on my calendar. Everything needs to be noted down to make sure I stay productive.

 

If you could start your business over again from the beginning, what would you do differently?

At this point, I wouldn’t change anything but I do realize I took too much time overthinking names, titles and domains. Looking back I could have saved some time and mental space on this.

 

What were some of the first mistakes you made that you would tell a new holistic entrepreneur to avoid?

Don’t hold yourself back thinking that you are not ready, because you are! It is important that you feel the fear and do it anyway. This is a good entrepreneurial quality to cultivate.

I would also recommend to avoid perfectionism. Trying to get everything done perfectly only slows you down. Realize that there is no perfect. Focus on progress, not perfection. Just get your stuff out and refine it as you grow.

 

What are the top three business tools or resources you couldn’t live without?

I can’t live without Evernote – a notes app where I store everything related to my business and personal life, I actually use it for everything.

I also love Ontraport – an incredible software and company that I admire. They are my email service provider, content manager, payment gateway and more. Ontraport allowed me to automate everything in my business which has been a huge time saver!

 

What has been your most effective method for growing your business?

This is something i am still learning and working on. Growing your biz is an ongoing process and it takes time and patience.

I have found that doing collaborations with other influencers has been really helpful. Things like creating recipes, articles, photographs and other content for different blogs and media publications. Doing interviews also helps 🙂

 

What is your favorite indulgence?

As I grew up in Spain, peanut butter was a fantasy that only appeared in american movies, so when I moved to NYC and I discovered both almond and peanut butter, they quickly became a favorite indulgence. I absolutely love dates with almond butter and apples with peanut butter. Soft baked cookies can also make their way into my list of favorite indulgences.

 

Most exotic thing you’ve ever eaten?

Sea urchin that I caught myself in seas of Greece.

 

Most memorable place you’ve ever visited?

Iceland, India and Brazil. Too memorable to choose just one…

 

Last book you read?

Currently reading YogThe Science of the Soul by Osho, one of my favorite writers/spiritual teachers.

 

If you could only have one kind of food for the rest of your life, it would be…

I would definitely choose my home mediterranean food. Based around fresh vegetables and fruits, some fish and meat, olive oil, almonds, figs and dates.

 

What is your go-to breakfast?

Smoothies. That is the quickest and easiest way to get tons of nutrients into my body. I like to alternate between smoothies, chia puddings, fruits and smoothie bowls.

As my gift to you come over to www.tanyabenet.com/gift and download a free ebook containing 20 of my favorite recipes!

 

What do you find most fascinating about the human body?

The intelligence of the human body fascinates me. The fact that the female body can create a whole new human, with his own set of hands, feet, eyes and nails, etc.

The fact that the human, given the right circumstances will always lean toward healing. You cut yourself the body heals on its own.

I think it is very important for us to acknowledge the hard work that our bodies do without our conscious attention. They are constantly repairing, digesting, detoxifying, etc. It is part of my daily practices to show love, gratitude and appreciation for my unique and special body.

 

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

The freedom to create and share my own vision plus the freedom to create my own schedule.

Tanya Benet is a Holistic Health Coach based out of New York City. You can find out more about Tanya and her business, The Art of Health LLC by visiting www.tanyabenet.com.