Ventures 2016 Membership Issue

Ventures Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Create and Maintain a Winning

Mastermind Group

Membership 2016 Volume XXXII Number 5 Growing Your Support Network: Where Do You Turn For Support?

In This Issue: Create and Maintain a Winning Mastermind Group �������������������������������1 NE and Me. NE and YOU. ����������������������������������2 Delegates’ Corner ������������������������������������������������3 The Power of Coffee ��������������������������������������������3

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN Chair Elect Harmony. Commitment.

Growth. Excitement.

These are all words which help to describe a Mastermind Group. According to Napolean Hill, a mastermind group is a group of at least two or more people who “work together to brainstorm ideas, create and implement goals, and provide accountability and support for one another with total honesty, respect and compassion.” Hill formally introduced the mastermind concept back in the 1900s in his book, Think and Grow Rich. Since developing this concept of a structured, intimate community of supportive people, many have started mastermind groups to help enhance one’s professional and personal life.

I’ve been a part of many different mastermind groups over the years. They have always been extremely beneficial to my growth as a dietitian and a business owner. In the groups, I have developed strong relationships with people and made a lot of fabulous friends.

These people have become sounding boards for me whom I can call, text or email any time of the day for some quick advice or a virtual shoulder to cry on. In addition, everyone has a different perspective and outlook so I get a variety of solutions/suggestions to my situations and goals. Most important, the mastermind groups have kept me accountable for what I know I should be doing or can sometimes slack on. When I show up to meetings, I want to be prepared with my homework and goals completed. This is especially effective for business owners who may only have themselves to be accountable

to. Ultimately, I have found my best support group through the mastermind scene.

Welcome to New NE Members! ����������������������4 Where do I turn for support? ��������������������������4

The positive outcomes of a mastermind group are plentiful. However, sometimes there are drawbacks. Mastermind groups can fall through the cracks when people are not consistent and committed. The meetings do take time and should be done on a regular, frequent basis. Lack of consistency results in less accountability and less productivity. Lack of commitment results in less support and structure.

Here are three ways to create and maintain a winning mastermind group: 1. PICK YOUR PARTNERS: I personally like groups with three to five people in them because it brings more diversity and brainpower to the table. Pick people who are problem solvers, go-getters and actionoriented to help with the accountability and goal-setting components of the group. Also make sure the members are very committed and share the same type of drive and work ethic so everyone is on the same page with expectations and actions.

2. SCHEDULE A WEEKLY OR BI-MONTHLY MEETING: Set a designated time every week or every other week to meet. Having a set schedule will help keep structure and stability. Most meetings I’ve been in are 60 minutes.

3. SET AN AGENDA: This can be structured with a written agenda prior to the meeting or just casual where people take turns talking. Most mastermind meetings are conducted with each person taking a turn

Breaking Out of the RDN Bubble – More than Hot Air ����������������������������������������������5 We All Need Somebody to Lean On ��������������6 Four Reasons You Need a Mentor (Even If You Don’t Think You Do) ��������������������6 Branching Out Can Be Lonely (but Rewarding): A Corporate Wellness Story �����������7 How Does Your Network Fuel Your Career �����7 Bridging the Gap with NE Member Benefits ������������������������������������������8 to discuss what he/she is doing, projects he/ she is working on or a situation he/she needs help with. After the person explains his/her topic, the other group members can chime in to offer advice, guidance or support. Finally, goals are established including dates and deadlines to work with what was stated. After the meeting, the note taker (if you have one) can email everyone about what was discussed for accountability and follow-up tasks.

I highly recommend starting a Mastermind Group. Feel free to reach out to me if you need help or guidance starting your own. I’m here for support and growth. Let’s powwow.

Sarah Koszyk is a San Francisco-based nutrition coach specializing in adult and pediatric weight management and sports nutrition. Her blog: Family. Food. Fiesta. focuses on delicious, healthy recipes for the entire family, including health tips and videos of kids cooking in the kitchen: www. sarahkoszyk.com. Sarah also writes monthly articles for multiple companies including NutritionJobs, ExerciseJobs, UltraRunning magazine, Swimmer, and more. Connect with Sarah on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest: @SarahKoszykRD, Facebook: /FamilyFoodFiesta.

Ventures EDITOR Kara Lydon, RDN, LDN, RYT

INCOMING EDITOR Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, CLT

EDITORIAL BOARD, 2015-2016 Kara Lydon, RDN, LDN, RYT Alexandra Caspero, MA, RD, CLT Chere Bork, MS, RDN, LN Penny Wilson, PHD, RDN, LD Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT Sarah Koszyk, MA, 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. © 2015 Nutrition Entrepreneurs.

All rights reserved.

WE WELCOME INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR: Kara Lydon, RDN, LDN, RYT 140 Arborway Unit #5 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION NE members’ Ventures subscription year runs from June through May. Non-Academy members may purchase a one-year (five issues) subscription by sending a $40 check payable to Academy-DPG 30 to: Nutrition Entrepreneurs 6301 Snidercrest Rd. Mason, OH 45040

ADDRESS CHANGES AND MISSING ISSUES If you have a change of address, please contact the Academy with your new address information. If you missed an issue, email Lauri Egan at NEadmin@NEdpg.org or call (513) 972-4668.

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NE and ME. NE and YOU. Penny Wilson PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD Chair Joining Nutrition Entrepreneurs has changed my life.

Yes, changed my life.

Forever.

Being a second-career dietitian has its own special challenges. I decided to become a dietitian after working in technology, in a large consulting firm, for 11 years. In my prior career, I worked with C-level executives as well as those at the top levels of large law firms. As I sat in my first (and only) interview for an entry-level hospital RD position, I thought, “I’m never going to get hired as an entry-level dietitian.” I had more management experience than the woman who was interviewing me as well as the levels above her. At that moment, I realized I would have to start my own business. My next thought was, Where am I going to start?

Fortunately, I found NE. After joining NE and the NE Electronic Mailing Lists (EMLs), I found a welcoming, sharing place. I found a tribe of others like me who were doing their own thing. Singing their own song. Dancing to their own music. I found resources to help guide me in setting up my business. A group who would answer my questions and support me when I needed it. After attending a mini-meeting, I was nominated to run for a position on the Executive Committee (EC).

When I didn’t win that position, Jean Caton asked if I would serve as Incoming Newsletter Editor, which was followed by Newsletter Editor. I don’t know if Jean realizes it, but her call and offer changed my life again.

Being on the EC is one of the BEST things that ever happened to me. On the EC I’ve gotten to work with a group of like-minded people.

People who push themselves, others and the envelope. They support each other. They help and cheerlead. I’ve made some of my

best friends from fellow EC members. And, I’ve gotten to cheerlead, support and push others. The members of this year’s EC are the strongest I’ve seen yet. They are an amazing group of people.

Being on the EC has helped me help you. I’ve gotten to invite (or drag) people I’ve found at NE events and who are alone at FNCE® along to EC dinners. This has often resulted in new EC members and seeing people’s businesses explode because of their new involvement with NE. I’ve gotten to hear how things you’ve read in Ventures have helped you in your personal or business life.

NE has so much to offer. It’s all there. Waiting for you. You just have to reach out and grab it. The EC spends a lot of time talking about how to make your membership more valuable. How to help you. Every decision we make is based on helping our members. That said, we can’t make you get involved. We can’t make you take advantage of all the benefits NE has to offer. You have to subscribe to and participate on the EMLs, attend the webinars, attend the NE events at FNCE®, attend or setup a mini-meeting. When I look at all of the DPGs and MIGs, I see that NE has a ton of benefits to offer you. Yes, you. You just have to use them.

NE can change your life. It changed mine. It’s changed the lives of countless others. All you have to do is get involved. We’re here for you.

Dr. Penny Wilson is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She helps women go from feeling funky to feeling fabulous! Through her private practice - Eating for Performance - Penny uses integrative and functional nutrition to address her clients’ needs. She was the dietitian for the Houston Rockets and the Sugar Land Skeeters. In addition to her work with athletes, Penny taught sports nutrition at the University of Houston for six years. Penny is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.

DELEGATES’ CORNER Lisa Jones MA, RDN, LDN, FAND DPG Delegate “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” - H.E. Luccock This quote resonates with me as it reminds me of the HOD, because it takes all the delegates - representing all their respective constituents - to effect positive change and move the Academy in the right direction. Essentially, my fellow delegates are the support network which helps me to navigate the delegate role for NE. One of the ways I try to expand my support network is by reaching out to my fellow delegates. Even though we only get to meet face-to-face once a year at our fall HOD meeting, it is nice to know we can always reach out on the HOD Communications Platform for additional support.

Another factor that has proven extremely invaluable is the seating arrangement during the HOD meetings. Instead of sitting next to the delegates with whom we already have established relationships, we are seated with new delegates. This not only increases each delegate’s existing support network, but fosters the establishment of new connections.

Similarly, if you go to any networking event with one of your RDN friends and you don’t initiate any new connections, you’re not expanding your own support network. Bottom line, it’s all about engaging with like-minded individuals who can provide support when needed. Create a new connection today!

As always, make sure to find some time to check www.eatright.org/hod for the latest mega-issue, as well as our monthly chair chats, the website and the Electronic Mailing List (EML) for feedback requests.

I look forward to hearing from you! Please contact me with your feedback, comments and concerns at mobiledietitian@aol.com.

Lisa Ann Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a Philadelphia-based registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications consultant. In addition to her NE Delegate role, Lisa is currently serving as the chair of the Academy’s Consumer Protection and Licensure Subcommittee. She has previously held several other leadership roles including past-president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 2014, Lisa was recognized as Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Pennsylvania Academy.

THE

POWER

of

Coffee Alexandra Caspero MA, RD, CLT, RYT Incoming Newsletter Editor

Once a month, my three best college girlfriends and I meet for coffee. Even though we are geographically as far-flung as we could possibly be, it hasn’t stopped our momentum for sitting down over the phone, Skype or Google Hangout to just be. Oversized cups of coffee in hand, we chat about anything and everything; we’ve held each other through joy, grief, marriage and growing families. Even though we rarely touch on our individual careers paths, I give a lot of credit to these women for helping me create a successful business. They are my personal support system, ready for words of encouragement when needed or another perspective when I can’t see things clearly.

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned on the road of self-employment, it can be a difficult battle when I try to tough it out alone. Family, colleagues and friends provide wisdom, experience and insight to tough situations and a supportive nudge when I’ve lost my footing. Reaching out for support makes me feel stronger, not weaker, in my business decisions.

People with strong support networks not only reach their goals faster, they experience more fulfillment in getting there. Here are my top five tips to assist you in building a strong support team:

1. LEARN FROM THE PAST: Think back to when you had the greatest success. Chances are you had a good support team in place. Examine the support system then and use it as a tool to create a strong support network today.

2. UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: Of course partners and friends are the obvious choice, but you aren’t limited to those options. Consider local chapters of Toastmasters, Chamber of Commerce, church groups, parent groups, women in business groups or small business groups.

Meetup.com is a great online resource for connecting with like-minded individuals.

3. SAY YES TO OTHERS: When people offer their help, say YES! Allow them to have the pleasure of helping to support you.

4. SAY YES TO YOURSELF: Honor yourself by carving out one a day a week (or other timeframe) where the only person you say yes to is you! This is a healthy habit to adopt to refuel, revitalize and rejuvenate.

5. BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR NEEDS: Most people will want to be supportive, but may not know how to do it. Be very clear and specific about what others can do to help support you, but be prepared to compromise if your needs conflict with theirs.

As your incoming newsletter editor, I am here to support you and your entrepreneurial growth. Feel free to reach out anytime with comments, questions or feedback on your Ventures experience.

Alex Caspero, MA, RD, CLT, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert with a passion for both health and wellness. Her blog, Delish Knowledge, focuses on making whole-food vegetarian eating deliciously simple. She also serves as a consultant and spokesperson for likeminded companies to develop nutrition communication strategies and recipes. She is also a registered yoga teacher, Certified Group Exercise Instructor and personal trainer.

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Welcome to New NE Members!

Niki Strealy, RDN, LD Director of Member Services Why did you join Nutrition Entrepreneurs? The mission statement of NE is to inspire and cultivate entrepreneurs through a community dedicated to supporting infinite success.We are delighted you joined this amazing dietetic practice group; you belong here! We are your people.

Do you remember what it feels like be the new kid on the block? As a new and nervous NE member, I kept a “safe” distance away, only reading Ventures and attending the FNCE® networking dinner. I wasn’t ready to step outside my comfort zone.

However, as I met fellow NE members and the leadership team, their passion for nutrition and commitment to this group was contagious (plus I realized they were real people just like me!).

I started listening to webinars and joined the electronic mailing list (EML). First, as a “stalker” reading everything while posting nothing - and then finally getting the courage to ask my first question. Eventually, I jumped in with both feet and joined the NE Executive Committee. It has been the best decision of my career.

HERE ARE SIX WAYS NE HAS SUPPORTED ME, AND CAN HELP YOU TOO:

1. NE HELPED LAUNCH AND GROW MY PRIVATE PRACTICE. After the hospital downsized my outpatient dietitian position, I slowly started my private practice. I didn’t know where to get forms or how to create a HIPAA notification. I worked with a mentor from the NE mentor program to get my business off the ground and up and running.

2. ACQUIRING CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS IS NO LONGER STRESSFUL. Thanks to NE webinars (free credits!), NE members’ educational opportunities (thanks to quarterly EML advertisements!), and FNCE® attendance, I always have more than enough credits to meet CDR’s requirements.

3. NE HAS GIFTED ME WITH NEW FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. At my first FNCE®, I knew two other people at the entire conference and found it overwhelming and lonely. Getting involved with NE means socializing, and networking at FNCE® takes precedence over attending every single education session. Now I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

4. BEING ON THE NE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS NOT JUST ABOUT PROFESSIONAL GROWTH; THEY PROVIDE PERSONAL SUPPORT TOO. When I’ve had a rough week, the NE team rallies for a group hug.

5. URGENT NUTRITION OR BUSINESS QUESTIONS CAN BE QUICKLY ANSWERED BY MY BRILLIANT COLLEAGUES ON THE EML. As an experiment, I posted a question on the general NEDPG EML.The first two responses arrived in just ten minutes! By the end of the day there were 15 total messages with thoughtful insights and advice from my NE colleagues.

6. MY HUSBAND DOESN’T HAVE TO ALWAYS BE MY NUTRITION SOUNDING BOARD. We’ve all stood on our “nutrition soapbox” and explained to our closest friend, spouse or family member why the newest fad or news headline is not evidencebased and is ridiculous. Sometimes they “get it,” sometimes they don’t. I’ve found a quick post on the EML is a great way to know you are in good company.

NE is a group of Empowering Nutrition Visionaries who want to connect, share, teach and support one another. Encourage a colleague to be part of our amazing network of dietitians.

Niki Strealy is also known as The Diarrhea Dietitian,from the title of her self-published book.She fell in love with NE when she joined on a whim in 2009.Reading Ventures and meeting NE members at FNCE® inspired her to launch her private practice,Strategic Nutrition, LLC,and become an NE mentor.She enjoys working with clients with gastrointestinal diseases and disorders,empowering them to make positive changes to live a happy and rewarding life.You can connect with Niki on Facebook,Twitter @DiarrheaRD and LinkedIn.

Where do I turn for support?

Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD, LD Private Practice Specialty Group Chair Asking for help is key.

Very much like the eating disorder clients whom I work with, asking for help used to be a big problem for me. Over the years, I have learned to ask for help and not only is my stress level so much more manageable, the joy in my life has grown exponentially. My help (or support) comes from a variety of sources; here are a few of my favorites.

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Support in my area of expertise: Eating Disorders For my work with clients with eating disorders, my support comes from collaboration with mental health professionals, professional supervision with a psychotherapist and weekly peer supervision with the other dietitians in our empowered eating program.

Support as a business owner: As a business owner, my support network continues to grow. The key people in my support network include my bookkeeper, my accountant, my billing team, my attorney, my graphic artist, my web designers and my business coaches.

Support on a personal level: Making sure to schedule time to be with family and friends. This always seems so ridiculous to me but unless I make being with my personal support system a priority, it is easy to get consumed with work responsibilities and commitments. I also need to make self-care a priority. For some, exercise comes easily.

For me, it is a challenge. I must commit to appointments with a personal trainer twice a week and regular massage appointments.

Doing these things regularly makes me stronger and more relaxed to help me deal with whatever comes my way.

Breaking Out of the RDN Bubble

MORE THAN HOT AIR

Jacqueline Marcus MS, RDN, LDN, CNS, FADA, FAND Treasurer I’ve always been fascinated by bubbles.

I like the way that I can control their shape and size, how they lift and linger and how they burst quickly or dissipate into nothingness. I’m dismayed when the bubble liquid turns messy and bubbles struggle and fail.

My work resembles this bubble-making process.

When an idea gels, expands, endures and slowly disperses, I am pleased with the outcome. When I wrestle with an idea and it twists and fails, of course I am disappointed.

Much as I like to think that I can handle these bubbles of ideas on my own, I have discovered the benefits of reaching out to colleagues and friends both in and out of NE. Sure, our email networks, listservs, local meetings and FNCE® broaden our outreach, but hidden treasures may be discovered when we break out of our RDN bubbles and tap the vast expertise of our neighbors, community activists, religious institution followers, local government advocates - even social club devotees.

An illustration: This past weekend I participated in a leadership women’s retreat of an organization where I am also a board member.

I was the only RDN, although two other women aligned themselves with food and health. One was even certified by an online course. I kept

Support on a local level: I am active on a local level with dietitians in my practice and dietitians in the Washington, D.C. area. I also make a point to connect with local NE members by hosting mini-meetings in our office and by offering eating disorder training to dietitians in Maryland through workshops.

I also am a member of Toastmasters which has given me tons of support to be a better professional speaker. I just found out about Polka Dot Powerhouse which is a woman’s business owner networking group. I have been to one meeting and I am ready to sign up to be a member to hear from local businesswomen.

Support on a national level: One of my favorite ways to get support is to be on the board of DPGs. Currently, I get

my cool. The purpose of this outing was selfactualization, not conflict.

We were given cards with motivational words you know, the ones that you select each day for which to live by. My word was integrity, defined as,“Who knows the world’s secrets.” I liked the word and its implications. I lived with the word all weekend as I explored self-actualization scenarios. Then the retreat ended, we were to state our word again and reflect upon its meaning. I went full circle and thought outside the bubble of this group and what the word integrity means to me as an NE EC member.

Google integrity and see that its synonyms are accuracy, authenticity, exactness, genuineness, legitimacy, reality, reliability, truth and validity words that I use to describe the NE Treasurer’s position - words that you would want any organization’s board members to uphold.

Funny that I would have to attend a leadership women’s retreat for another organization to have a bubble form, an idea gel and an application generate.

Funnier yet, that I would have this opportunity to write about this experience soon afterward. Chaching! The payoff is that if you open your eyes and ears, opportunities abound outside of the RDN bubble that may enlighten your volunteer, professional or personal lives.

As I move into the final stages of POW planning for 2016-2017, I am reminded to think, speak and act with integrity and apply what I know to the bigger picture: NE’s position within the Academy,

my support and energy by being an active member in a few groups with dietitians all across the country. I am on the board of NE and a sub-unit SCAN called DEED. Both of these groups help me tremendously by being part of something larger, being surrounded by amazing RD leaders and, most important, by forming long-term friendships with similar people. Mastermind Groups have definitely helped me tremendously. They give me support, guidance and accountability.

Do not be afraid to ask for help, learn to get the right people on your team to allow you to do what you do best and learn and develop your skillset to help yourself and others.

the Academy’s position within the fields of food and nutrition, and food and nutrition as they relate to our country and to the world.

It’s a big task that became apparent to me by breaking out of my RDN bubble and seeing the applications from one disparate organization to another.

The next time that you are at a crossroad, look for the bubbles that can lift your imagination and take you soaring in a new direction, with different perspectives or enlightened purposes.

Seek those around you outside the profession who may offer inspiration and complement your career. Take some time in your day to meditate on bubble making - better yet, buy yourself a bottle of bubbles. It may teach you something quite profound like it did for me. Much more than hot air.

Jacqueline B. Marcus, MS, RDN, LDN, CNS, FADA, FAND, is president/ owner of Jacqueline B. Marcus and Associates Food and Nutrition Consulting in Highland Park, Illinois. Jacqueline is a prolific speaker and writer who specializes in the interrelationships of nutrition, food science and the culinary arts as they affect taste throughout the lifecycle. As a former food magazine writer, editor and photo stylist with a degree from Northern Illinois University in consumer science and instructional technology, Jacqueline aspired to work for the Chicago Tribune as a food editor. Not having a mentor, Jacqueline returned to Northern for a degree in nutrition, first as student-at-large due to all the science perquisites.Three years later with a thesis and Master’s degree - but no internship Jacqueline joined the first community hospital wellness program in the country as a food and nutrition educator. Five years later, Jacqueline started her private practice, and the long and winding years that followed all contributed to her abilities today.

Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD/LD, CEDRD, is an award-winning Registered Dietitian who is both a seasoned nutrition counselor and successful business owner. Rebecca's passion includes empowering clients, Registered Dietitians and nutrition interns.

She employs six Registered Dietitians and six nutrition interns in her private practice Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD & Associates.

In 2011, Rebecca launched the Empowered Eating program (www.empoweredeatingblog.com), designed to provide hope for people struggling with eating disorders. She is on the leadership committee for SCAN’s DEED sub-unit and is excited to be the Private Practice Specialty Group Chair of NE. In 2014, Rebecca co-authored a workbook for Registered Dietitians called Welcome to the REBELution: Seven Steps to Creating the Nutrition Counseling Practice of Your Dreams. In 2015, Rebecca co-authored a workbook for clients titled Taste the Sweet Rebellion: REBEL Against Diets.

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We All Need Somebody to Lean On… Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RDN, CDE Speakers and Media Specialty Group Chair Why did you decide to go into the dietetics profession? When I conduct workshops for RDNs and ask the audience that question, the number-one answer I hear is “to help people” – to support others in building healthier habits. As dietitians, we are well-trained in supporting others. But where do we turn for support? How can we get the support we need to grow and succeed? We all need support, and we also need different kinds of support - from professional development to moral support.

Like many others, I benefit from a variety of support systems: coaching, training, mentoring, mastermind groups, professional development, friends and family, etc. But for the past year I’ve added something new to

the mix: an accountability partner. When I launched my podcast last year, I teamed up with another podcaster to create an accountability partnership and I believe this support has been instrumental to the success of my show.

nn Gain insight, perspective and objectivity from someone who is not as “close” to the work as you are

If you’re looking for more support, or a different kind of support than you currently have, I encourage you to consider an accountability partner. They may or may not be an RDN (mine was not) and they don’t need to live in your city - it’s easy to connect via Skype, Facetime or Google Hangouts.

Consider your unique personality and the various types of support you need in your life right now to make sure you have a well-rounded network to fulfill your needs. And remember that you can always get support from your fellow NE members!

An accountability partner can help you: nn Brainstorm and test your ideas nn Stay focused on a specific goal while juggling other projects and priorities nn Get inspiration and validation nn Commit to a series of “dates” or scheduled meetings which provides a built-in structure and helps keep you moving forward

nn Identify potential solutions to barriers and areas for improvement

Melissa is the CEO of Sound Bites, Inc., where she promotes “sound science, smart nutrition and good food.” She is known as the Guilt-Free RD – “because food shouldn’t make you feel bad!” TM. Her primary focus is on media training workshops and coaching for dietitians, and her blog (www.SoundBitesRD.com/ blog) shares free tips and resources to help dietitians enhance their communication skills and gain more visibility, influence and success. For the public, Melissa has her Food for Thought blog and her Sound Bites Podcast which delves into the science, psychology and strategies behind good food and nutrition.

4 Reasons You Need a Mentor (Even If You Don’t Think You Do) Lesli Bitel MBA, RDN, LDN Coaches Specialty Group Chair As a biz coach and mentor myself, I am undeniably opinionated about this topic. Truth is, without the help of a great coach, I’d likely still be stuck in the dreaded land of overwhelm instead of living my dream.

Here’s my top four reasons YOU need a mentor in your life: 1. YOU WON’T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. Wouldn’t you jump at the chance to get better results faster, regardless of the type of strategy or goal you’ve set for yourself? A mentor can help you do exactly that.

Finding one who has accomplished something you aspire to do can greatly cut back on the ups and downs of the trial-and-error methodology.

There are many wonderful mentors who have streamlined the steps to success, and they specialize in teaching the strategies you most need to learn. The end result is a lot less frustration and faster results!

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2. ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL. It is impossible for you to know everything, nor should you try to be an expert in areas outside of your domain. So, in order to grow and achieve our potential, we need to rely on people who have an expertise that we may lack or in areas in which we need support. Doing so will help us improve ourselves exponentially faster than what we could do on our own and most important, you’ll be more apt to realize your full potential!

3. CREATES MOMENTUM. As RDNs, we may believe that we should be able to figure things out on our own. So we end up signing up for a bunch of webinars and trainings and try to piecemeal it all together to work for us. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a HUGE advocate of learning and continuing education (and happen to be a chronic learner myself). But without a mentor, it can be really challenging to put your learnings into motion. A mentor will help you to IMPLEMENT your knowledge so you get the results you desire!

4. ELIMINATE YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE. The biggest barrier to your success as an entrepreneur is not a lack of resources. By far, the #1 biggest obstacle you

must overcome are your own self-limiting beliefs.

To succeed in reaching your goals and reaching your full potential, you’ll need to get out of your own way by finding a mentor who can rein you in when your thinking becomes self-sabotaging.

Believing in yourself and having a mentor who believes in you will help keep your goals in check allowing you to overcome challenges you experience along the way.

A good mentor will inspire and challenge you to do your best work. You’ll get on track much faster and will accomplish much more than what you could do on your own. So don’t go it alone.

Lesli’s mission is to teach integrative nutrition practitioners and coaches to implement simple business building and marketing strategies designed to magnetize clients in a heartfelt and authentic way.The end result is more ideal clients and more income doing the work they were born to do. Lesli is a Biz Success Coach & Mentor to dietitians, nutritionists and coaches. In addition to her business coaching practice and her role with NE, Lesli is the Dietitians in Integrative Functional Medicine Coaching and Mentoring Chair.

She has over two decades experience as an RDN in a variety of capacities including the creation of a successful (and profitable) private practice specializing in the treatment of food sensitivities and mindful eating for weight management. Please visit her at www.LesliBitel.com or drop her an email at Lesli@LesliBitel.com.

Branching Out Can Be Lonely (but Rewarding): A CORPORATE WELLNESS STORY Carrie Zisman, MS, RD Corporate Wellness Specialty Group Chair

When making the full-time transition to in-house corporate wellness in 2010, I knew it would likely be a lonely road as the only dietitian employed by my 100,000-person-plus company.

I had the good fortune to be working with other trained health professionals (doctors, nurses, a personal trainer and behavioral health specialist, etc.). However, I was wearing two hats and hired to focus on more than just nutrition, including general wellness and health promotion.This was a task I was qualified for and excited about, even when I realized I didn’t know too many other dietitians who did what I was trying to do.The first thing I did was reach out to Elysa Jacobs Cruse, MS, RD, who at the time was the current chair of NE Corporate Health Specialty DPG. I knew that both our companies were members of the National Business Group on Health (NBGH), a membership group for HR, benefits and wellness professionals of large employers, in the hopes that she knew other corporate wellness dietitians with whom we could network.With the help of NBGH, we were

able to form a group of other corporate wellness dietitians, and for several months held regular benchmarking calls.This was an excellent start and I met several great dietitians who were really leading the way for our profession.

Later, when Elysa passed on the gavel to me as the NE Corporate Health Specialty Chair (watch out who you’re friends with!), I started to meet other dietitians working in various aspects of corporate wellness, including in-house, consultants, vendors, etc. I knew there were more of us like-minded dietitians out there and I wanted to find them among Academy members. One of my 2016 goals as chair of the Corporate Health Specialty Practice Group was to strengthen the presence of corporate health dietitians amongst Academy members and create additional networking opportunities. I decided to create a steering committee to help. By simply putting a request on the NE and Corporate Wellness EMLs, I was able to gather about 15 NE members who were interested in pursuing this goal with me. I was really thrilled with the response and dedication.

This year, the Corporate Health Specialty DPG plans to offer more networking opportunities, create tools and resources, and expand our reach within NE and the larger Academy.

The NE Corporate Health Specialty Group sponsored an NE webinar on May 5 at 1 p.m. EDT on Trends in Corporate Wellness and Opportunities for RDs. The link is available on the NE website. Stay tuned for more information on this webinar and other events and activities. Please also check out the July 2015 Academy webinar entitled Worksite Wellness Leader: How RDNs Can Use Their Skills to Climb the Corporate Ladder. These tools and other resources can be found on the NE Corporate Health Specialty Practice page of the member website. If corporate wellness is your calling, come join us!

Carrie Zisman is a senior health communications specialist in the Health & Wellness Department at Lockheed Martin Corporation.

She is responsible for developing and implementing corporatewide programs on weight management,nutrition and other health behaviors as well as providing strategic direction to the Health Promotion team.Prior to this,Carrie worked for over 17 years on developing and implementing award-winning health communication and education programs within both the public and private sector.Carrie received her dietetics degree from the University of Vermont and completed a combined Dietetic Internship and Master’s at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center at New England Medical Center at Tufts University.

HOW DOES YOUR NETWORK FUEL YOUR CAREER? Rosanne Rust MS, RDN, LDN Technology and Social Media Specialty Group Chair I was just chatting the other day with a friend about our young adult children and their hesitance to apply for new jobs.We discussed how we thought it was so much easier now than it was in our dinosaur days when Sunday newspaper “want ads” were the best option for job hunting.

Now you can do an Internet search; refine it based on job type, industry or geographic location; upload your resume; type a quick email; and boom! you’ve applied.

conversation with someone else can be in narrowing down your goals.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics association.

PICK A BRAIN. Find the person who is doing

street. Find ways to support someone’s efforts.

Sending a helpful email, congratulating a colleague, or writing a thank-you note - all can help nurture your network.

what you dream of doing, and ask him/her for ideas. How did she/he get where she/he is? I’ve found most people in our profession to be very generous with their knowledge and guidance.

Utilize electronic mailing lists and social media platforms to connect with people individually by sending a personal message. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

SET UP A MONTHLY CALL. Keep things moving along by scheduling a call with your mentor.This allows you both to help each other, creating a mini-mastermind session.

DEFINE YOUR NETWORK. You may

But furthering your career goes well beyond hitting “send.”What hasn’t changed in the past thirty years is how priceless it is to create a good network. If you are just beginning your career, consider these seven simple ideas to grow your network:

be surprised how big your network already is. Consider all your colleagues, friends, family members, acquaintances, high school and college alumni. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they know anyone who is hiring or can help you make progress on your dreams.

CHOOSE A MENTOR. A mentor is anyone

HONE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS. There’s always room for improvement.

with either more experience, or a diverse set of skills, who can help you gain knowledge or confidence, and can guide you in your career ventures.You might choose a former professor from college or grad school, a fellow colleague at work, or a colleague within your geographic area. It’s amazing how effective a one-on-one

Even the most polished public speakers practice and add challenging projects to their repertoire.

Think about joining the Toastmasters Club or a local speakers’ bureau; take a volunteer position on a local community board; or volunteer for a position within your district, state or national

RECIPROCATE. Networking is a two-way

USE TECHNOLOGY. Social media platforms are all about sharing and engaging. Utilize these networks to create friendships and connections with like-minded people.Take advantage of the personal messaging offered on many platforms as an easy way to reach out to establish a connection or gain further contact information.

Rosanne is owner of Rust Nutrition Services at www.rustnutrition. com.She began freelance writing in 1994 and created her virtual nutrition practice in 2000,and has nearly 30 years of experience.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1985,and her Master of Science degree in clinical nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991.As a nutrition communications consultant,she translates nutrition data into well-reasoned dietary advice so people can enjoy eating for good health.Her work includes developing social media strategies,freelance writing,and blogging at Chewthefacts.com.She is co-author of several books in the For Dummies series including DASH Diet For Dummies®, Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies®,Calorie Counter Journal For Dummies® and the Glycemic Index Cookbook for Dummies®.

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Ventures

www.nedpg.org

Enterprising News & Ideas for Nutrition Entrepreneurs

Kara Lydon, RDN, LDN, RYT 140 Arborway Unit #5 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Lauri Egan, RD, CPT Executive Administrator

Bridging the Gap with

NE Member Benefits

Members of NE seem to have a lot in common. One of these commonalities is the tendency to set goals, sometimes BIG goals. For some, those goals may seem like a beautiful castle far across a chasm of uncertainty. NE understands this better than you think. The member benefits NE offers to you are the tools and materials you need to build a bridge to start and advance your journey across the large empty void between you and your goals. Pick just one benefit below to peruse this month.

Then see where it leads you next month. nn The Electronic Mailing Lists (EMLs) are an invaluable email-forum for instant information sharing amongst your colleagues. nn Network with entrepreneurs in your specific field by getting involved with our seven Specialty Groups: Authors & Writers, Coaches, Corporate Wellness, Private Practice, Second Career Dietitian, Speakers & Media, Technology & Social Media.

nn NE provides 8-12 Webinars (with CEU credits) every year as well as credit for recorded webinars. nn The NE Toolkit on our website NEdpg.org is a must-have e-book in which we have compiled the most up-to-date and useful articles, tips, and information on a variety of topics. nn Our award-winning, dynamic Ventures newsletters are complete with cutting-edge information, business topics, technology/ social media tips and more for managing your business and life. Soon to provide CEUs! nn The Mentor Program may take years off the learning curve by teaming you up with an NE mentor or become a mentor yourself to an up-and-coming nutrition entrepreneur.

As you continue to explore more of what NE has to offer, you will find that you are slowly building a bridge to close the gap between you and your career and life goals. As always, reach out to me with any questions. Let’s make sure you are getting the benefits you need.

Lauri Egan, RD, CPT, is Nutrition Entrepreneurs’ Executive Administrator.