Rosie was embarking on her own health journey when she decided to enroll in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Now she creates programs with the goal of empowering parents and providing them with tools to nourish their children while still managing their own busy lives. Her interview inspires us to say no when it’s needed and to commit to consistency in our businesses.

What inspired you to become a holistic entrepreneur?

It actually happened by accident. I was on my health journey and was hungry for some more knowledge about nutrition, I wanted to change [careers] and get into the field of nutrition via whole foods but wasn’t sure which path I was going to take. I came across The Institute of Integrative Nutrition 2 days before that sign up period was about to close. I knew a few people who I’d found inspiration from had done this course so I just signed up. It wasn’t until I was a week into it that I realized it was training to become a health coach!

 

Tell us about your business or practice.

I am only just starting, but my goal is to provide programs for families (specifically mothers) that take the hard work out of meal planning, shopping list planning and sourcing recipes and getting families back into the kitchen and cooking quick, easy and nourishing meals.
Also to provide a program for families that have allergies and intolerances to deal with, that will help them learn how to implement these dietary changes into their lives while still having delicious tasting and nourishing food to eat.
The health of our kids is where my passion is and my hope is that these programs to help empower parents and provide them with the tools to nourish their children while still managing their busy lifestyle.
On a world scale, I’d like to become well known within my industry to join forces with others in my field to create awareness and programs to help fight childhood obesity, diabetes and behavioral issues.
In the short term, I would love to be part of the change of canteen menu’s at schools and have foods that are high in sugars and contain colours, additives and preservatives banned from the school menu so our kids can learn without a chemical storm brewing in their brains!

 

What is your current business model?

I am currently offering one on one both in person and virtually, but I plan on expanding this into group programs. I will also offer products that I personally use and align with my values and beliefs.

 

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

Meeting other people in the field! I am so inspired by others doing amazing work and who want to achieve the same things I do. Connecting with like-minded, driven, determined, passionate and inspiring entrepreneurs gives me so much motivation to keep moving forward.

 

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

Tech stuff! I am SO behind when it comes to knowing anything about computers or the online world. The hours I spent watching YouTube tutorials and trying to build a website were insane! There is so much to learn, for me, it feels like I’m back in kindergarten again but in technological school. If I can give anyone any advice, even if you have no idea what you want to do in life, learn to use everything online and in the computer world now!
Negative people and their energy. I cannot stress the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are positive and who are going to lift you up. There are going to be days you are going to need it. Get rid of or drastically reduce the time you spend with people with negative attitudes, they will slow your growth and development down. How they think your business will go is a reflection of them and their experiences, not you! If your values, morals etc don’t align then don’t invest in them, they’re not going to take you where you want to be.

 

How have you overcome those challenges?

I paid a website builder! I can’t express enough the value in just paying someone to do the tech stuff for you if you have no idea. It has helped me enormously and given me more time to concentrate on putting the content into my programs.
I kept practicing how to say NO!
I got really clear on my ‘why’ and with practice, got better at recognizing things that didn’t align with it so I didn’t waste time investing in things that weren’t going to help me achieve my mission.

 

How do you find new clients?

Being active on social media and going to sites, pages etc where I think people who would use my services would hang out. Also if there is an event or an opportunity that presents itself such as being interviewed for someone else’s website, I take it. Just being active every single day, even if it’s just a picture on Instagram, making sure my presence is always out there.

 

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

Doing the free consultation and really taking time to get to know them and reassuring them that you have heard them. Following up with an email and a free something, even if it’s just a recipe or a link to some info that you think might help them. When people see that you have listened to them, and that you actually care about what they have told you, they start to trust you and are more inclined to use your services or remember what you did for them and recommend you to others.

 

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

Follow up, follow up! Stay in touch, and actually care about them. The same in converting new clients as with existing ones, if it’s a random email they aren’t expecting that brightens their day or a postcard with a nice picture that you think they will appreciate it. It’s doing the things that come from the heart that they aren’t expecting that keep them engaged and believing in me so I can help them believe in themselves.

 

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

This is a hard one. With 3 small girls to run around after sometimes it is really difficult to stick to a schedule. I make sure those who I have committed to get my 100% attention. If I feel like I can’t commit 100% then I won’t take on more clients. As my children grow and as I develop my business, I hope to be able to develop programs that not only offer the kind of support that I want to more people but allow me more flexibility in my own family life.
Oh, and the biggest thing, SAY NO! Set a limit of social commitments and don’t go over them, just say no, nicely, but stick to it, or you’ll never get anything done!
And limit time on social media if it’s not for business. It is such a big distraction and the time you waste checking what other people are up to, is time you could be using to find new leads and grow your business.

 

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

I’ve only just started, so ask me this in 2 years time and I’ll let you know 😉

 

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

The tech stuff. If you’re not that way inclined, just pay someone to do the big stuff. But do everything you can to learn in the mean time. Get on YouTube, watch tutorials, build a dummy website to get your head around how it works and all the terms etc. Comparing myself to others and listening to that nasty self doubting voice in my head, hands down the biggest waste of time ever! Still trying to master it actually, but awareness is the first step and I am committed to growing and shutting that voice down.

 

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

My computer/device, google, positive affirmations.

 

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

Consistency, doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. Consistent effort every single day, and, not listening to that nasty voice inside my head that brings up fears, anxieties, what if’s etc. Being aware of that voice, shutting it down and pushing through it, even when it’s really hard and uncomfortable, will move you forward personally and professionally in leaps and bounds.

 

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever for done for your business?

Rack up about $3000 worth of training on my credit card with no idea how I was going to pay it off! The training has been first class, so I have no doubt it will pay itself off in the long run.

 

What is your favorite indulgence?

Dark chocolate and Soy Chai Lattes, yummo!

 

Most exotic thing you’ve ever eaten?

Kangaroo I think, when I was a teenager.

 

Most memorable place you’ve ever visited

Rarotanga, The Cook Islands. In 2 words, Paradise and Perfection

 

Last book you read?

The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard

 

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

Chicken Soup

 

What is your go-to breakfast?

Eggs on toast or Chia Pudding and fresh berries

 

What do you find most fascinating about the human body?

It’s ability to function for years on end with constant environmental abuse and it ability to heal itself.

 

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

That every day I never feel like I’m “at work”. You just never know what opportunities are going to come your way from one day to the next! And how much personal growth comes from doing it all yourself. It’s a constant learning journey and I’m always looking for ways I can learn and grow and become a better version

Rosie McCarthy is a Holistic Health Coach based out of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. You can find out more about her and her practice at www.rosiemccarthy.com.