Nutrition Entrepreneurs Ventures Summer 2022

SUMMER 2022

EDITOR

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN

INCOMING EDITOR

Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES

EDITORIAL BOARD 2022-2023

Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN

Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN, LD/N

Heather Rudalavage, RDN, LDN

Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT

Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RDN

The newsletter pertains to the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and reproduction rights are reserved

Publication of an advertisement in the Ventures newsletter should not be considered as an endorsement of the product or advertiser by the DPG Viewpoints and statements in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies and/or positions of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics © 2022 Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Note From the Editor

MEAGAN NIELSEN MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Just like that, we’re starting a new season with Nutrition Entrepreneurs� We’ve got a lot of exciting things on deck this year, and we hope you will find continued benefit from your membership We have an amazing lineup of Executive Committee members excited to serve you, so please read below to learn a bit more about each person�

When I think about what summer sounds like to me, it’s the crack of a bat on a baseball, lawn mowers and vendors shouting “ice cream!” from the stands So, the theme for this summer is: swing for the fences

Summer brings rejuvenating thoughts and lots of growth It is a time for you to kick back, relax, but also start brainstorming about ways that you can grow your business In this issue, you will learn how to connect with humans on a personal level, tips for running your own business, how to be true to yourself as a professional, how to make new connections at a greater level and how to pay yourself once those clients start rolling in

My hope, after you are done reading this issue, is for you to have some exciting new action steps to take as you continue to grow your business� Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, there is always room for growth It can feel overwhelming and a bit scary to put yourself out there, but the payoff can be monumental The great Babe Ruth once said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” If you sit on the bench, you’ll never see your business grow to its full potential� So, shake out your shoulders, put your game face on, and swing for the fences

Meagan

Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is a sports dietitian, private practice

owner, and is the team dietitian for USA Weightlifting In her free time, she enjoys picking up heavy things and then putting them back down (AKA training/competing in powerlifting)

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD,

Enjoying our new layout? Snap a selfie with this magazine in a fun place and post it to IG or Facebook with #VenturesNEwhere

Stay in the ZoNE

STEPHANIE DORFMAN MS, RDN CHAIR

Hi, NE members! I am Stephanie Dorfman - the current chair of Nutrition Entrepreneurs - and I am so excited for the year ahead We have so much planned for you; the NE Executive Committee is already hard at work putting together great resources for the upcoming year So let’s get down to it, here is my mantra for the year-: “Stay in the zoNE�”

We can all acknowledge a lot has happened over the last few years The world has changed, business strategies have been adjusted and new skills have been learned With this theme and these Chair Letters, it is my goal to help remind all NE members to “stay in the zoNE,” keep our heads in the game and adapt to our ever-changing world

Throughout my (not-so-long) journey as a business owner and nutrition entrepreneur, I have learned the importance of “staying in the zoNE,” specifically, my zone of genius When you work in your zone of genius, inspiration and ideas seem to come naturally, you innately use your strengths to your advantage and things get accomplished effortlessly

How do you discover your zone of genius?

y Think about the work you do that doesn’t actually feel like work

y Consider tasks that get done efficiently without much stress

y Imagine simply checking something off your to-do list

I hope as Nutrition Entrepreneurs you are all working in or aspiring to find your own zone of genius�

I have gotten to know myself better and where my own zone of genius is since becoming an entrepreneur I have learned my strengths, when to ask for help, how I handle difficult situations, when I need a break, areas where I need to continue learning and that I can do hard things

This year, I challenge all of you incredible entrepreneurs to find your zone of genius and stay in it! Use everything NE has to offer and lean on your fellow NE members for support to stay focused and stay in the zone

I am looking forward to another incredible year with my fellow Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RDN is passionate about all things wellness, running outdoors, puppies, peanut butter and spreading all of the joy When she’s not at her corporate food service job, you can find her running (usually in Astoria or Central Park), baking challah, or laughing with family and friends During the summer months, look for her at her favorite sleep-away summer camp, where her family still works and where her grandparents met Stephanie loves being able to combine all her passions into her profession every day

Meet the 2022-2023 NE Executive Committee

Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, Past Chair | Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, loves pizza She has a running list of her favorite places and places that she wants to try Her number-one pizza place used to be a luggage room in the golden days of Hollywood and has a fermented sourdough crust that is to die for

Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD, Chair-Elect | Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD, is the owner of a private practice specializing in intuitive eating and meal planning She’s also the clinical dietitian at a pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities� Jessica enjoys cooking, reading and training for the occasional half-marathon She’s also a proud cat mom; ask her about that time she crawled under a car to rescue a kitten

Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RD, Chair | Stephanie Dorfman, MS, RD, is passionate about all things wellness, running outdoors, puppies, seltzer and spreading all of the joy Stephanie is the owner of Stephanie Dorfman Nutrition and also works for a corporate food service company When she's not working or snuggling with her puppy Norman, you can find her running (usually in Astoria or Central Park), baking challah, or laughing with family and friends� During the summer months, look for her at her favorite sleep-away summer camp, where her family still works and where her grandparents met Stephanie loves being able to combine all her passions into her profession every day

Carly Siceloff, MS, RD, LDN, Treasurer | Carly Siceloff, MS, RD, LDN, lives in central Florida with her husband, two girls (Piper, age 5 & Stevie, age 4) and their dog, Bagel When she is not working full-time in corporate wellness, you can find her at Disney or hanging by the pool Her nutritional lifestyle is plant-based and dairy-free For exercise, Carly is a yogi and a runner (currently training for her 2nd marathon in Chicago)�

Aderet Dana Hoch, MS, RD, CDN, Secretary | Aderet Dana Hoch, MS, RD, CDN, owner of Dining with Nature by Aderet� You can just as easily find me roaming around the farmers’ market as you can with a glass of white wine in hand while binge-watching Chopped

Katie Breazeale, MS, RD, LD, Director of Member Services | Katie Breazeale, MS, RD, LD, lives in Texas Katie loves to play tennis and plays on a USTA league team When she is not working, you can find her shopping for shoes, playing with her two children or reading a book

Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, Director Elect of Membership Services | Despite transitioning away from entrepreneurial work this year as Jessica jumps into new roles in the field of women's health, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to give back to a DPG that has inspired her for over one decade Jessica has 15+ years of experience in public health, culinary medicine and group education, as well as writing and editing That being said, she works hard in order to play hard, soaking up the sun on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan with her three children, husband and boxer dog

Debbie Memmer, MS, RDN, LD, Education Coordinator | Debbie Memmer, MS, RDN, LD, has enjoyed many years as a clinical dietitian, preceptor and educator, but her passion lies with counseling CKD patients She loves how others react when they realize the impact correct food choices could make on their lives Debbie graduated from the Ohio State University and Kent State University Debbie lives in Ohio with her husband They are empty nesters as their children are exploring and building their lives She loves to travel to visit family and enjoy other climates

Adrien Paczosa, RD, LC, CEDRD-S, Director of Mentor Services | Adrien Paczosa, RD, LC, CEDRD-S, has lived by the motto of “building access to registered dietitians” for the past 20 years of her career From starting a group practice, iLiveWell Nutrition, 15 years ago, teaching RDs how to build their own businesses through Fearless Practitioners, and recently partnering with Nourish as its chief clinical officer to help build access to RDs through telenutrition and technology Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her new son and husband and building family memories�

Kelly Wetmore, BS, PT, Member Resource Manager | Kelly Wetmore, BS, PT, has a degree in health science with a nutrition concentration She is completing her DPD requirements at University of New Haven She aspires to be a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports dietetics She’s a personal trainer running Kelly Fitmore LLC, an online nutrition and fitness business Her passions include bodybuilding and sports nutrition research; basically living, eating and breathing nutrition 24/7

Shelley A. Rael, MS, RDN, Delegate | Shelley A Rael, MS, RDN, author of The One-Pot Weight Loss Plan and a life-long learner Shelley wants to experience or try nearly everything at least once in her lifetime, from trying a new adventure or experience, mastering a new skill, and of course, having a variety of food experiences� Interested in trying something new? Shelley will join you�

Susan Adams, MS, RD, LDN, FAND, Policy Advocacy Leader | Susan Adams, MS, RD, LDN, FAND, is a registered dietitian who consults with assisted living accounts and is an educator at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania She loves food, starting with the humble potato! She believes that food and nutrition heal others, and enjoys educating the next generation and the greatest generation

Nancy Farrell Allen, MS, RDN, FAND, Reimbursement Chair | Nancy Farrell Allen, MS, RDN, FAND, owner of Farrell Dietitian Services, eloped to the South Pacific Seas Cook Islands recently and embraced the island paradise� She loves the awakening of her senses at the beach: the blue waters, fresh air, varying breezes, salty undertones and sound of the waves You'll find her parasailing, snorkeling or charter-boat fishing when she’s not sampling fresh coconut, mango or pineapple

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, Director of Communications | Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, is the owner of Beth Stark Nutrition, a nutrition and food communications consulting business Beth finds joy in family time, a fresh cup of coffee, lake life and chasing sunrises/sunsets

Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, Newsletter Editor | Meagan Nielsen, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is a sports dietitian, private-practice owner, and is the team dietitian for USA Weightlifting In her free time, she enjoys picking up heavy things and then putting them back down (AKA training/ competing in powerlifting) She loves plants, being an auntie, and enjoying the sunshine outdoors

Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES, Incoming Newsletter Editor | Leda Medina, RDN, LDN, CDCES, owner of Latina Nutritionista, a blog to help Latinas gain food freedom� She loves traveling, cooking, exploring flavors from around the world and sharing this with others

Heather Rudalavage, RDN, LDN, CPE Coordinator | Heather Rudalavage, RDN, LDN, is the founder of Intuitive Nutrition� When she isn't working to help clients legalize carbohydrates and feel good in their bodies, she is probably traveling She is married to her high-school sweetheart, so while she can't give you dating advice, she has traveled to over 20 countries, so if you want tips on touring Italy to India, she is your gal

Leslie Weidner, RDN, Website Coordinator | Leslie Weidner, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a virtual practice in which she provides 1:1 nutrition coaching for women in perimenopause� She enjoys helping women over 40 learn how to eat in a healthy, balanced way that supports their hormonal health without any strict rules or diets Leslie is passionate about the principles of mindful and intuitive eating, which she discusses often on her IG and FB accounts On the weekends, you can find Leslie hanging out with her husband and watching their two boys play basketball, football, baseball or soccer, depending on the season

Sarah Whipkey, RDN/LD, PR Marketing Coordinator | Sarah Whipkey, RDN/LD, is the owner of The Plant Potential, a virtual private practice centered on reaching your health potential through the power of plants In addition to all things plant-based, she absolutely loves interior design and would love to have a business decorating or staging homes� Both Sarah and her mom have always had a knack for predicting decor trends

Megan McFadden, MS, RDN, LDN, Social Media Coordinator | In addition to her passion for nutrition education, Megan is passionate about the outdoors Ask her about her goal to visit all of the national parks Her current favorites include the Channel Islands and Rocky Mountain National Park!

Kristi Coughlin, MS, RDN, Director of Meetings | Kristi Coughlin, MS, RDN, is not your typical nutrition entrepreneur After recognizing private practice wasn’t her thing, she opened Bring About Happy, an uplifting, product-based business In her spare time, Kristi can be found eating pizza, at the lake with her husband and kids or drinking coffee with friends

Pam Cornelius, RDN, LDN, Incoming Director of Meetings | Pam Cornelius, RDN, LDN, dietitian, personal trainer and health coach, just launched Pam Cornelius Nutrition LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina She offers fun, educational and supportive virtual weight-management and behavior-change classes She is excited to be part of such a dynamic DPG and looks forward to learning from and connecting with NE’s many inspirational dietitians!

Yvette Quantz, RDN, LDN, Member Awards | Yvette Quantz, RDN, LDN, will never turn down an invitation to connect over coffee Serving as NE's member awards chair, she loves supporting dietitians working to make an impact� When not supporting her clients, colleagues or community to nourish an elevated life with words, food and service, she's soaking up time and sharing adventures with the people she loves

Leah Tsui, MS, RDN, Director of Sponsorships | Leah Tsui, MS, RDN, is the owner of Leah Tsui Nutrition LLC, in which she does 1:1 counseling, corporate workshops and consulting for several start-ups Leah combines her love of sports nutrition and gastrointestinal health with an intuitive eating approach In her time off from being an RDN, you can find her coaching functional fitness at her favorite gym, reading a book (or two!) for the book clubs she's in or running along the beach

Andrea Ramos, MCN, Diversity Liaison | Andrea Ramos, MCN, is the founder and CEO of Healthy FRIENDZ Nutrition LLC Through interactive programs, she helps families with health concerns improve the quality of life with fresh foods, customized for ethnicity and cultural heritage Andrea is passionate about children, mentoring and giving back to our communities She believes children will learn through interaction and they are excited to take the lessons home to teach the family

Sarah Kiel, RD, Nominating Committee | Sarah Kiel, RD, is the owner of Sarah Kiel Nutrition She lives in northern Utah where her access to outdoor activities is unrivaled You can often find her out on the trails hiking and mountain biking

Elizabeth Reed, MPN, RDN, LD, CNSC, Nominating Committee | Elizabeth Reed, MPN, RDN, LD, CNSC, owner of a nutrition consulting business, has loved nutrition science from the moment she won the science fair in school Later, when her children were both diagnosed with celiac disease, she created a start-up, LZ's Homemade, a gluten-free baking company to provide gluten-free education with every baked good Now family life includes searching for gluten-free options as they travel our world Elizabeth enjoys roaming the meadows and mountains of Colorado with her horse, Dodie

Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT, Executive Director | Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT, considers herself lucky to be constantly involved with today’s nutrition giants pushing the boundaries She dubs herself a connoisseur of great sunrises, dark chocolate and sidewalk chalk art When not on the computer, she can be found strumming a guitar, creating impromptu workouts with her kids and, of course, cooking in the kitchen

Emailing Humans

YVETTE QUANTZ RDN, LDN

MEMBER AWARDS

About 15 years ago, I had this idea for an email newsletter service for nutrition, wellness and health experts I started this because I saw changes happening in our industry Personal brands such as Jillian Michaels and Clean Eating guru, Tosca Reno, were emerging with offers to improve my health, and these offers were landing in my inbox every week�

At first, I felt threatened What if these online pros spammed me out of work?

Then I remembered the words of my father, "Always remember, no matter what industry you think you are in, you are in the people business "

Yes, being online was going to be necessary But, we were still in the people business

I couldn't stop the businesses on the internet from luring people in with promises of weight-loss wonders and quick-fix solutions

What other businesses were doing online was out of my control I could either choose to pout and throw a pity party about everything wrong with these online wonders�

OR

I could remember the person in front of me who was seeking out my professional guidance and support on her/his very personal issue

Something inside me screamed, "While the internet is certainly here to stay, the need for human connections isn't going anywhere!"

People need people

"Always remember, no matter what industry you think you are in, you are in the people business� "

People want to connect with people

It CAN enhance connections and engagement But done with the wrong intention, it can also harm long-term relationships

Email streamlines how we connect and communicate with others It's another way of talking with people

When someone opens his/her inbox, think of it as that person giving you space in her/his home

y What are you bringing to the table?

y Are you bringing information with educational content?

y Are you sharing a new recipe?

y Are you inspiring with your words?

y Are you giving space to listen to your readers?

y Or are you just selling another ad?

Think before you send it

There's nothing wrong with selling, for life itself is the act of giving and receiving Sales are simply another transaction

There was no denying; things were going online

However, I also knew that the clients I served were humans and it's part of our nature to connect with other humans

I believe that no matter how technology evolves (and it will), the need for human connection isn't going anywhere This has become even more apparent during these unprecedented times Social distancing forced us to pivot in the way we maintain our human connections Today, people have pivoted to technology to maintain their human connections

As we evolve in using technology to enhance the way we work, I hope we remember we are still working with humans

Don't let the shiny promises of seamless sales solutions make you forget this

Digital marketing, emailing, newsletters, lead magnets, social media, etc� can be fabulous tools to enhance and grow your business There is no arguing this After all, I started a whole nutrition and wellness e-newsletter business

Still, email and social media posting won't replace human connection

Do you want to be like the doorto-door salesman? You know, when you turn off the lights, pretend you're not home, and hope the person goes away?

Or

Do you want to delight your subscribers with the ping of your email arriving in their inboxes?

Remember this when hitting send: you're emailing another human

Yvette Quantz, RDN, LDN, will never turn down an invitation to connect over coffee

Serving as NE's member awards chair, she loves supporting dietitians working to make an impact When not supporting her clients, colleagues or community to nourish an elevated life with words, food and service, she's soaking up time and sharing adventures with the people she loves

What I Learned In My First Year of Private Practice

JESSICA BEARDSLEY MS, RD, LDN PAST EDITOR

After a year-and-a-half of running my private practice, I’ve learned a few things Here’s my journey of decisions, deliberations, mistakes and lessons

CHOOSING A BUSINESS NAME

Honestly, it was tough for me to choose a business name I am the type of person who can deliberate forever on these sorts of decisions I delayed it as long as I could and in the end simply chose to use my first and last name along with “Nutrition ” That way I could be sure no one would confuse my business with another practice or use the same name Also, I hadn’t fully decided on my niche yet, so I felt I couldn’t use a more descriptive name Would I change my business name now? Maybe but I’m still not sure what I’d change it to Honestly it works just fine My recommendation: Just pick a name and keep moving forward!

SOLE PROPRIETOR VS. LLC

Next I deliberated between running my business as a sole proprietor or an LLC (limited liability corporation) I watched YouTube videos, read blog articles and talked to other dietitians about what they did� Ultimately, I chose to start out as a sole proprietor There are benefits to establishing an LLC; you and your assets are more protected However it was another one of those decisions that I didn’t want to get bogged down with so I simply moved forward with the path of least resistance� As my practice grows I might decide to transition into an LLC� My recommendation: Consider your long-term goals. If you want to grow big and your practice is your main gig, then establish an LLC. However if you’re not sure, then you have nothing to lose by starting out as a sole proprietor. Keep moving forward!

WEBSITE

My website has gone through many iterations! It was easy to pick a nice, clean design from a website builder, but the hard part was figuring out what to include Over time I learned that a potential client is looking at my site to discover:

y Can I solve his/her problem?

y What’s the process like working with me?

y What does it cost? How much time does it take?

y What am I like? Are we going to get along?

y How do I schedule an appointment?

Your landing page should include the problem you’re solving and the life you are helping create for your client Potential customers want to get a feel for you before they contact you On your website, include a variety of photos of yourself working with a client or engaging in a hobby On another page include a general flow of your appointment process and information about payment, insurance, telehealth and logistics My recommendation: Anticipate what your clients’ questions might be and answer them on your website.

BOOKING CLIENTS

Clients want to know how to contact you to set up an appointment I learned that putting my phone number out there led to too many spam calls so I removed it I also include a contact form and my email address� However, I learned that this requires lots of back-and-forth between me and the client to schedule a time to talk Finally, I set up a scheduling system that is linked from my website to my booking calendar (through my electronic medical record) I’ve preset the times that I’m available and it syncs with my Google calendar so I don’t get double-booked Potential

clients simply choose an available time and schedule online All I have to do is call them at the scheduled time My recommendation: Streamline the process of booking a session to reduce any barriers to working with you

In order to create a thriving practice, you’ll have to make some decisions to keep moving forward and then learn from the mistakes�

In order to create a thriving practice, you’ll have to make some decisions to keep moving forward and then learn from the mistakes It's an iterative process and I’m sure I’ll keep learning as I grow

Jessica Beardsley, MS, RD, LDN, is an anti-diet sports dietitian in North Carolina She started her private practice to help clients find food freedom through intuitive eating With previous careers in bioengineering and graphic design, Jessica loves to incorporate her varied expertise in her dietetics practice with nerdy science and creative handouts Her top three forms of self-care are rock climbing, working on jigsaw puzzles and jumping on trampolines (you can’t help but smile on a trampoline!)

Stop Comparing Your Swing: Impostor Syndrome is Very, Very Real

JESSICA OSWALD MS, RDN/LD CHAIR-ELECT

Close your eyes (not really, because I need your eyes open so you can keep reading but pretend your eyes are closed) and imagine …

y You’re scrolling through Instagram and you see all these dietitians absolutely killing it with reels and stories that look so professional You think “my Instagram looks nothing like this …”

y You’re collecting information to set your rates so you check out what other dietitians in your city, county, state, region are charging which means that you are looking at websites and all these websites look amazing You think “my website looks nothing like this …”

Raise your hand if this has ever been you Both my hands are raised!

Raise your hand if this has been you and if this had led to feelings of incompetence or feeling like a fraud or phony Again, both my hands are raised!

This is impostor syndrome Impostor syndrome, sometimes referred to as impostor phenomenon, was originally defined in 1978 by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes They loosely defined impostor phenomenon as an internal experience of feeling like a phony 1 Since this original definition, other definitions have popped up that expand the definition of impostor syndrome An article in the Harvard Business Review defines impostor syndrome as “a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success ”2 Recent research in regards to dietitians and impostor syndrome defines impostor syndrome as “the notion that otherwise competent and qualified individuals feel that they have secured esteemed roles or professional positions because of ‘oversight’ or ‘plain luck ’”3

Often, feelings of being an impostor are brought on because of comparison We compare ourselves to the work, careers, social media graphics and

perceived success of others This makes it hard for us to recognize and celebrate our own success and achievement because “their website is better” or “they have more clients” or “so-and-so has more followers” or “their business is more successful than mine ”

There are some unwanted side effects to impostor syndrome It is linked to psychological distress, feelings of selfdoubt, a fear of failure and strained relationships 4 None of us want these things and none of us want to feel like a phony but it seems like impostor syndrome is going to pop up from time to time no matter what Since that’s the case, what can we do to limit impostor syndrome in our lives and mitigate the unwanted side effects?

Recognize it. We know this one� Many of us help our clients with thisawareness In order to begin creating change, you must first be aware of the problem so start paying attention to your impostor feelings When do they happen? What are the feelings?

y It may also be beneficial to name your impostor-feelings gremlin What does the gremlin sound like? Who does the gremlin sound like? Giving the gremlin a name can make the feelings easier to identify when the gremlin arrives� My imposterfeelings gremlin sounds like my high-school guidance counselor I know, I know, high-school guidance counselors are supposed to help I wish that were true in all cases My high-school guidance counselor was, unfortunately, the first person to really plant the seeds of self-doubt in my brain� Talk about it. It can be scary to talk about feeling like an impostor After all, it can seem like saying the words out loud may make it so However, talking about your own imposter-syndrome feelings can help you cope and move past the feelings Your bravery in speaking up may help someone else Talking about it can also help you and others feel like you are not alone in the struggle with impostor syndrome

Be kind to yourself. We are our harshest critics This inner critic does not help with feelings of imposterism When you identify that your impostor-feelings gremlin is showing up, pause, and reframe the narrative to be kind to yourself

Use social media wisely. There’s a pretty decent chance that social media may be contributing to your own feelings of being an impostor Social media can be an amazing tool for connection but it can also be an enemy in your path to recognizing your own successes and worth Use it wisely and if you often feel impostor syndrome creeping in when you are on social media, give yourself permission to take a social media break

Refuse to let it be in control. Do not let impostor syndrome hold you back Do not let it control your decisions and your ability to pursue your goals Stop comparing your swing! Keep going! You’ve got this!! You are an amazing nutrition entrepreneur!

REFERENCES

(1) Clance PR, & Imes, SA The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice 1978: 15(3): 241–247

(2) Corkindale G� Overcoming Impostor Syndrome Harvard Business Review 2008: https://hbr org/2008/05/ overcoming-imposter-syndrome

(3) Landry MJ, Bailey DA, Lee M, Van Gundy S, & Ervin, A The Impostor Phenomenon in the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022: 19: 5558

(4) Landy MJ, Bailey DA, & Ervin A You are Not an Imposter: The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Impostor Phenomenon J Nutr Educ Behav 2021: 53: 625-530

Jessica Oswald, MS, RDN/LD, is the owner of a private practice specializing in intuitive eating and meal planning She’s also the clinical dietitian at a pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities Jessica enjoys cooking, reading and training for the occasional half-marathon She’s also a proud cat mom; ask her about that time she crawled under a car to rescue a kitten

Things You Didn’t Expect You Needed to Know in Private Practice

LEAH TSUI MS, RDN DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP

You don’t know what you don’t know.

This phrase has stuck with me since I officially started my private practice in November 2020� It helps me come from a place of exploration and curiosity, while also giving myself kindness and compassion for not knowing everything

I attended a conference called The Big Reset in October 2020, which was an awesome digital summit with workshops, live mentoring and selfreflection activities in the time of the pandemic One of the sponsors was Squarespace, and using the momentum from the summit, I used its coupon to set up a domain name and a website to launch my private practice

While I worked on making my website pretty and inviting, I started searching the internet for resources on how to start a private practice This is where I built upon what I assumed were the basics to get started: an electronic medical record (EMR), a scheduling system, an accounting system and a business bank account

In the months that followed, I learned from other RDs in Facebook groups and my business coach about having systems: customer relationship management (CRM), email marketing and syncing payment systems to EMRs These helped automate my business, making it easier to focus on my clients and the work that I was doing

I also started to learn about many more aspects that come with being a business owner - how I needed to set boundaries, how to shift my mindset from what “I need” to what “the business needs” and how to identify where the business is aligning with my values and mission The biggest thing I didn’t expect with having a private practice was to plan and set aside CEO time I didn’t realize how important it was to carve out time to work on my business, instead of just in my business.

Yes, I want to ensure that I’m taking care of my clients, creating a successful marketing funnel to attract new business and keeping my website upto-date But, the day-to-day tasks in my business weren’t necessarily moving my business forward Having designated CEO time means that I can envision what I wanted for big-picture goals - to see where I want to take my business one year from now and break it down into quarterly goals As with seasons in life, there are also seasons in business, and being strategic about how I spend my days, weeks and months is what helps my business ultimately grow

Some reflection questions I have used and still turn to now:

y What does my ideal day and ideal week look like?

y When do I want to see clients and when do I not want to see clients?

y What does the business need from me in order to be successful?

y What are areas that I can hire help for and what are areas that I know I can learn to do myself?

y Is this what I want to be doing?

y Does this align with the business mission?

y What can I realistically work on in the next quarter? How does this look month-to-month, week-to-week?

y What are some dreams and reachgoals that I have for the business?

This is not to say that you should have all this figured out before you start your private practice� You can get started with the bare minimum, add things in as you go along and see what you really need to make your business run successfully

I love this quote from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better � Then when you know better, do better”

This applies to a variety of situations and I find it resonating as a business owner with a private practice As you start, grow or scale your business, set aside that CEO time to bring intention and strategy to your work

Leah Tsui, MS, RDN, is the owner of Leah Tsui Nutrition LLC, in which she does 1:1 counseling, corporate workshops and consulting for several start-ups Leah combines her love of sports nutrition and gastrointestinal health with an intuitive eating approach In her time off from being an RDN, you can find her coaching functional fitness at her favorite gym, reading a book (or two!) for the book clubs she's in or running along the beach�

Product Reviews:

Title: The 30-Minute Prediabetes Cookbook

Price: $15 99

Publisher: Rockridge Press

Date: March, 2021

Review: People are talking about prediabetes There are qualified professionals writing cookbooks on the subject to educate, empower and inspire in the area of prediabetes I have the honor of reviewing one of them for you right now The 30-Minute Prediabetes Cookbook written by Ranelle Kirchner, RD, CDCES, MS, is an important cookbook There are many reasons why; let me break them down for you

To set the stage, let’s first talk about the author Ranelle Kirchner comes at this book with experience in many areas that make her the perfect author for a cookbook of this nature She is an RDN and certified diabetes care and education specialist, so she is highly educated in nutrition and diabetes, BUT to top it off, she is a trained chef as well� The tone she sets in this book is informative and conversational The material is delivered in a very clear and practical way which leaves the reader feeling informed and inspired The book covers the basics of prediabetes, prevalence, issues, concerns and impact, as well as distinguishing between the other diabetes terminology that readers have heard of (gestational diabetes, type I and type II) Once that foundation is laid, it is off to the races with the how-to The

Title: Cooking with Madhu

Author: Madhu Gadia, MS, RDN, CDE

author makes it clear that some work will be involved initially to get the basics for developing ways to manage health through diet, but she assures the reader that the approaches, strategies and recipes in the book will surely help on that journey All along, the reader is reminded of the power of food and nutrition and its potential impact in the specific area of prediabetes I particularly appreciated the attention given to setting up for success by focusing on the environment - setting up the kitchen and pantry with supportive foods and other essentials� It is always great to receive recommendations on essential and recommended equipment In this book you will find a primer on the basics of carbohydrates and cholesterol as well as considerations for someone with prediabetes Then, she gets “right to it” discussing which foods to embrace, those to enjoy in moderation as well as portions and timing of meals and snacks for someone who has prediabetes Included are sections on label reading, grocery shopping and tips for carbohydrate counting

Once these basics have been discussed, the recipes come rolling in There is a vast catalog of recipes that includes a chapter on breakfast where you will find sweet and savory options There is a focus on time-saving ways to enjoy the fantastic recipes included on any day of the week There is an entire chapter on salads which offers up some hearty and delicious options that taste like meals I order at some of my favorite restaurants� Soups and sandwiches also have an entire chapter in which you will find mouth-watering recipes like “Miso, Tempeh and Carrot

Wraps” as well as “Smoked Turkey Chili�” She provides many creative snacks and side dishes in this book to complement the main dishes that will draw you in

A vital part of any cookbook for me is whether or not desserts recipes are offered, as well as the presence of a section (or chapter) on seasonings, sauces and dressings - all of which you will find in this recipe compendium� Although the cookbook is under 200 pages, it is chockfull of great information and delicious recipes for anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes, or just someone who wants to cook great-tasting food that is packed with nutrition

Whenever I review a product or resource, I always ask myself “Is there anything that could be modified, corrected or changed to be more effective or better? In the case of this product, the only thing I can think of is to create more of this type of tool/resource It should be noted that the author is aware that some of the recipes are mislabeled as gluten-free Due to publishing issues this has been difficult to correct in the current edition If sharing this book with clients who have a gluten allergy, be sure to educate them on gluten sources This book checks so many boxes that qualify it as a great resource that I recommend it wholeheartedly What a great tool to add to your nutrition practitioner toolbox, so check it out!

Reviewer: Toni Toledo, MPH, RDN

Title: Co-host PATH Positive Approaches To Health Podcast, dietitian at Teen Kitchen Project and SJSU instructor

Date: 2022

Publisher: Videos available on YouTube @ madhugadia1 and cuisineofindia com

Price: Free Review: Get ready to fall in love with the cuisine of India (as if you haven’t already!) and discover your own potential in creating Indian dishes at home Cooking with Madhu, the website and video series of dietitian, chef and cookbook author Madhu Gadia, will become your go-to resource for Indian recipes, healthy meal patterns and culinary demonstrations that will make you wish you were in the kitchen with her An Indian cooking expert with over 25 years

of experience as a Registered Dietitian, Madhu has amassed an impressive collection of cooking videos which appear on both her website and YouTube channel She has an engaging yet relaxed demeanor on camera as she describes the steps of each recipe, which motivates even the most novice of home cooks to increase their culinary confidence Several of the demos contain great tips, such as utilizing a wider pan when cooking rice to prevent it from sticking together, and smushing a single grain of rice with your finger and checking the texture to determine if it is done cooking

There is also a large educational component to her content, including detailed explanations about the differences between products sold in Indian grocery stores vs U S stores and how to modify recipes depending on the ingredients you have Chef Gadia is someone who uses her knowledge and passion to make homestyle

Indian cooking accessible and appealing to people of all backgrounds, cooking abilities and familiarities with Indian cuisine This sentiment is echoed throughout customer reviews for her cookbooks Fellow RDs will get just as valuable an education from Cooking with Madhu as clients looking to improve their dietary choices

I personally adore Indian food but have felt intimidated to try cooking it at home due to concerns it would be complicated and time-consuming But Cooking with Madhu has given me the courage to break out the spice box and embark on an Indian home-cooking journey!

Reviewer: Alison Rosenstock, MS, RD

Title: Registered Dietitian and Youth Meals Coordinator

Affiliation: SDNutritionWriter com and Feeding San Diego

SEO Tips and Tricks for Beginners

ANGELA HOULIE MS, RDN, CDN GUEST AUTHOR

As a small-business owner, you need to decide where to prioritize your budget and your time My goal has always been to learn as much as possible and eventually pass off jobs to others

As with any area we master as dietitians, I think it’s necessary to have a working knowledge of SEO

How did I learn SEO basics? Through free courses online and tools Do I have it all figured out? No, but it’s a good starting point knowing my website is optimized for SEO

A basic definition of search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the position and appearance of a webpage through organic search

The processes and best practices of SEO are constantly evolving Understanding the basics will ensure you’re off to a great start

USE FREE RESOURCES THROUGH YOUR WEB HOST

Before choosing a web host, check out its SEO features and go with one that offers SEO guides, webinars and integrations For example, when I write blog posts on Squarespace, there’s an SEO tab under the settings It allows me to create an SEO title and description to optimize search ranking

KNOW THE HEALTH OF YOUR WEBSITE

Frequently test the health of your website using free tools through Google analytics or Ubersuggest These tools will run tests on your website to check your ranking, correct page errors and make suggestions to improve your overall rank� For example, Ubersuggest allows you to run a site audit to uncover any issues and make sure your website meets Google standards

MAKE CONTENT STAND OUT

A headline and metadata description of your content is one of the first things people will see in Google search results It’s like your first impression, so you want to make it a good one!

With time and practice, you’ll understand what’s trending and relevant to your brand and make content that’s more meaningful

Click-through rate (CTR) compares the number of people who click on a result and how many see it CTR is a top factor in where you rank on Google - if people aren’t clicking on your link, Google will notice this and drop your rank

You can use free tools to find keywords to use with high CTR Placement matters! Make sure to place high-ranking keywords at the beginning of your headline so Google picks up your “signal ”

The more SEO knowledge you have, the greater the likelihood of your content appearing through organic search� Otherwise, you are essentially writing for your family and friends but missing out on a greater reach

That’s typically one of the first things I do - keyword research, see which terms have a good CTR score, and find ways to incorporate those keywords creatively throughout my content

BACKLINK

Were you quoted in an online article or have a journal article published? Link to these things in your posts This is a critical ranking factor, and links from reputable sources can improve your SEO ranking over time

Some ideas to get more links include offering to write a guest post for a favorite brand or influencer and getting on the HARO listserv

ALL ABOUT SPEED

Certain things like images can slow down the speed of your website If something causes your website to load slowly, this will negatively affect your SEO rank�

Use free tools to frequently check the speed of your website Most audit tools will make suggestions to fix speed, such as removing unnecessary plugins, reducing image size or choosing higher-quality video content

You’re in the SEO race - you want to have the right combination of keywords, speed, links and good website health to get yourself a great rank on Google

When in doubt, don’t be afraid to Google a website of a person or brand you admire and see how it’s being done With time and practice, you’ll understand what’s trending and relevant to your brand and make content that’s more meaningful

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, is the owner of My Fruitful Body Nutrition PLLC My Fruitful Body Nutrition comes from the organic process of nurturing your body from the inside out and seeing the fruits of it through living long and healthy lives Angela loves working with families and helping them experience food freedom, making the process as simple and stress-free as possible In her spare time, Angela loves baking, spending time with family and friends and going to the beach

Setting Prices: You Are Worth It

SARA HAAS RDN, LDN GUEST AUTHOR

What are you worth? What is your time worth? These are some good first questions to consider when setting prices for your services If you’re anything like me, then placing a value on your work is one of the hardest things you have to do But after years of experience, I’ve finally got it figured out, sort of

I started my career in clinical dietetics, working in hospitals and long-term care But I didn’t love it, so I signed up for culinary school and thus began my adventure into self-employment� Little did I know that it would also be the beginning of determining what my services are worth

To be completely transparent, I really don’t like money I don’t like discussing it and I don’t like managing it And I really don’t like tossing out numbers to potential clients and then waiting to hear if they agree what my services are worth But it’s a necessary part of business, so I’ve learned to approach it as such�

In an ideal world, everyone agrees with what you think you’re worth Or better, they think you’re worth more But this is the real world, so we have to adapt and problem-solve� Luckily I have some tips to help�

KNOW WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE (AKA EXPERIENCE)

This means your education, but also your actual experience How many years have you been practicing? How advanced is your skillset? Know your strengths and weaknesses and be honest with yourself�

KNOW WHAT YOUR TIME IS WORTH

Time is finite, so you must consider what it is worth This is especially important if your client has an urgent deadline (a fast turnaround should equal greater pay) or if you already have a slew of projects on your docket I like to write out my projects in terms of timelines, deliverables and amount of hours each will take This helps me shape a rate that ensures I’m getting paid appropriately

KNOW YOUR SKILLS. ARE THEY WORTH A DIFFERENT AMOUNT?

I wear many professional hats, which means I offer many services� But they’re not all equal (photography vs culinary demo, for example), so I price them differently You should do the same If you’re counseling private clients, that rate will look different than consulting on a book or developing recipes

KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES AND ASK FOR THEIR INPUT

It’s okay to talk shop As RDs we need to band together to make sure we get paid equally and fairly Find RDs in your niche and ask for them to help you figure out a rate that matches your services NE can be a great resource to find fellow entrepreneurs!

KNOW YOUR COMPETITION

Take a look at what others in your area of expertise are charging Don’t change your rates because theirs are different Instead, try to

figure out why they charge that rate Do they offer more/less than you? Are they more/less qualified than you? Once you have the intel, then consider adjusting your rates

KNOW HOW TO ADJUST COSTS TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

If you’re looking to build a relationship with a new client, you can consider adjusting pricing For example, if a smaller brand wants to work with you but doesn’t have the budget of a larger brand but the brand is something you want to work with, figure out terms that work for both of you That does NOT mean adjusting the cost of your services, but instead modifying the services you offer to fit the person’s/ brand’s budget So maybe you provide two of the three line items for a lower cost This educates the other person/ brand too - that you’re worth it!

When it comes to setting prices, remind yourself that you and your expertise are worth the rates that you set

Sara Haas RDN, LDN, is a food and nutrition expert with formal training in the culinary arts

She works as a freelance writer, recipe developer, food photographer, media authority, public speaker and consultant dietitian/chef Sara is a former culinary and nutrition instructor and served as a National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics media spokesperson Sara has been featured in Eating Well Magazine, Shape Magazine, Parents Magazine, U S A Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Epicurious, BabyCenter, O Magazine and Today’s Dietitian Magazine Sara shares her love of food and nutrition on her website and on Instagram where she posts recipes, as well as nutrition and cooking tips

How Connections Help to Establish Your Business

OLIVIA FLEDDERMAN RDN, LDN GUEST AUTHOR

After discovering your true passions, so begins the search for opportunities that allow you to practice your passions and leave you feeling fulfilled Securing such opportunities on your own can be difficult; however, when other individuals know your passions and abilities and have your best interest at heart, the process becomes easier�

Networking can be a way to share your passions and your abilities with other individuals When networking, a genuine connection with just one person will often lead to countless other connections and opportunities Once someone knows who you are and where your interests and talents lie (or as I like to say, what sets your soul on fire), the person will begin mentioning your name and your work to other individuals� As this happens, potential clients may begin reaching out to you for your services rather than you always having to market yourself to each of them

The following are some networking tips that I believe can help you to be more successful as you establish and maintain your business

1 Volunteer: Volunteering can be a great way to meet other individuals Dietetics/nutritionspecific volunteer opportunities are great for connecting with other professionals within the same field; however, non-dietetics/nutritionrelated volunteer opportunities can be equally as impactful With any volunteer opportunity, you never know whom you might meet and what collaboration opportunities may present themselves

2 Introduce yourself: Take the initiative to introduce yourself to new people, and do not be afraid to talk about your passions and your interests Your physical presence and your voice are two

great marketing tools that allow you to express your true passions and personality, which can oftentimes help clients to see how your services could benefit them�

3 Accept opportunities: Preparing meals for an entrepreneurial couple, serving on a local food council, and giving a nutrition presentation at a local YMCA are just a few of the opportunities that I accepted in the recent years As you begin your business, understand that some opportunities may not always fit directly within your desired niche, or the payment may not be what you would prefer� However, accepting various opportunities will allow you to gain experience, find your true interests, market yourself, and lead to additional opportunities later on I have done several volunteer and minimal payment events while establishing my brand over the past year, and I am already starting to see how the connections formed through those opportunities are now leading to paid contracts and additional business

4 Reach out: If you believe there could be collaboration opportunities or networking benefits between yourself and another individual or business, introducing yourself via email or a phone call can be appropriate If the initial response is not what you had hoped for, remain confident knowing that you have taken the initiative and the other party is aware of your brand and your services You never know when the person may reach back out For example, I emailed a local gym owner a year ago and did not get the response I had expected However, now that I have been landing other opportunities and have a social media presence, the owner of the gym reached back out to me and we are planning a collaboration

These are just a few tips for how to network and build connections with others It is not the method of networking that you choose that is

most important, but rather the result from your networking efforts As long as you are creating genuine connections and making your passions and your abilities apparent, I believe you will experience a positive impact on your business

Olivia Fledderman, RDN, LDN, is the owner of Sprouted in Strength, LLC, which focuses on community nutrition efforts When Olivia isn’t busy building her new business, she enjoys spending her time outdoors She loves hiking/backpacking (especially at national parks), kayaking, gardening, and all things related to fitness Olivia is a big fan of positive mindsets and she strives to live a life full of happiness and adventures