10 Steps to Start Your Nutrition Coaching Business
Nutritious Life
Have you been dreaming about ditching your 9 to 5 job, elevating your personal training services with wellness and nutrition coaching skills, or starting a side hustle that not only brings you financial freedom, but also allows you to help others? If so, you’re in the right place.
Keri Glassman, our founder of Nutritious Life and the Nutritious Life Studio has revolutionized the field of nutrition and coaching with her whole-person approach to health and wellness.
Recognizing the struggle for dietitians, nutritionists, and health and fitness professionals to find their footing in the industry, Keri has dedicated herself to sharing her expertise through her nutrition education platform: the Nutritious Life Studio. This coaching platform is specifically designed to fast-track the success of those passionate about health and wellness.
The Become a Nutrition Coach program lays the groundwork for building a successful career in health and wellness, covering the basics of nutrition science and coaching skills and then teaches you how to skyrocket your career with extensive training.
If you’re thinking of becoming a coach or upleveling your career in wellness, check out these 10 steps to help you begin (or elevate) your nutrition coaching business.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your WHY
Why do you want to start a nutrition business to begin with? What do you absolutely love learning about and talking about when it comes to nutrition? Think about what lights you up and how you could use that passion to support you inside of your business.
Zero in on your WHY.
Step 2: Take some time to dream!
What do you see other successful nutrition pros out there accomplishing that you’d like to accomplish yourself? There are so many business opportunities for nutrition coaches from running educational group programs, working with renowned wellness brands to developing apps, creating healthy food products or speaking at wellness events and seminars. If you can dream it, you can do it.
Alumni of the Nutritious Life certification course have developed numerous uber inspiring business models. Hollis Tuttle created an innovative app that offers curated workouts tailored to individual goals. Yasaman Vojdani, owner of the company Oat My Goodness, turned her dream into reality by launching a company that shares her passion for nutrition and cooking. Dr. Cori Cooper is a pharmacist turned nutrition coach that uses her certification from the Nutritious Life Studio to help her patients achieve their health goals. Each alumnus followed their passion for nutrition and successfully made their dreams come true and these are just a tiny snippet of examples.
Step 3: Find a mentor
Connect with a mentor who has years of experience, a business model you admire and someone that can provide guidance, advice and support as you navigate the early stages of your business.
Start by identifying professionals within your contacts who inspire you and reach out to them for an informational interview or a casual coffee chat. Make sure to be specific in your reasons for wanting to connect. People are busy and they are less likely to make time for someone who is wishy-washy.
Remember, mentorship doesn’t always have to come from formal arrangements. The key is to remain open to learning and to seek advice from those who have walked the path before you.
“I am so thrilled to have started this journey into nutrition. Keri is so energetic and sincere that even while studying online I felt connected to her as my teacher. Love the comprehensive 8 pillars of nutritious life. Thank you Keri and team. Looking forward to the master certification now! – – Iram Ahmedi, Nutritious Life Certified, Health and Life Coach“
Step 4: Find a community
When it comes to starting a business, continued support and collaboration is paramount. There is nothing more valuable than a network of like-minded individuals who are just as passionate about nutrition and/or entrepreneurship as you are. Find a community that you can lean on for guidance, accountability, inspiration, answers to your burning questions and cheerleading when you need a pick-me-up!
The Nutritious Life Studio community has a robust network of nutrition coaches from all over the world with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise: nurses, chefs, dietitians, doctors, acupuncturists, estheticians, fitness trainers, career-changers, social media experts, and more. Members of our group benefit from an incredibly supportive, inspiring, genuine and uplifting environment as well as our weekly “meetings of the minds” where we bounce ideas off of each other, collaborate and share resources for business growth.
Step 5: Get certified
Now that you have your why, it’s time to invest in your credibility. A reputable nutrition certification program will not only provide you with the necessary credentials to launch your nutrition business, but also deepen your knowledge of nutrition science and coaching techniques.
The Become a Nutrition Coach program is the most comprehensive certification for anyone looking to start and monetize their own nutrition coaching business. With over 120 lessons on everything you need to know about nutrition, coaching, and building your own business, this program will provide you with credibility and a treasure trove of resources.
When it comes to assessing a nutrition certification program, here are some steps to take:
Accreditation: Check if the program is accredited by reputable organizations.
Curriculum Relevance: Review the curriculum to make sure it covers the areas you’re interested in and provides comprehensive training in nutrition science, coaching techniques and business-building.
Practical Training: Look for programs that offer practical, hands-on training. Examples include any live sessions or interactive components.
Feedback from Alumni: Seek out reviews or testimonials from past students to get an idea of their experiences and the program’s effectiveness.
Career Support: Check if the program offers career support or guidance on starting and growing your nutrition coaching business.
Step 6: Register your nutrition coaching business
This may not sound like the fun part, but legitimizing your business means things are getting real–and that is EXCITING!
First, choose a business name and make it official! Websites like LegalZoom can guide you through this process.
Next, establish your online presence. Set up a domain for your business through websites like Wix, Squarespace or Weebly, and create a professional email address with the same domain to maintain consistency.
Decide on a system for tracking your profits. Here are a few options: Excel Sheet is simple and customizable, ideal for those just starting out. Microsoft Office provides templates which you can find here. QuickBooks is also a popular choice for small businesses, offering a range of accounting features. Explore their options here. You’ll also need a personal accountant. There may be someone in your network (like a family friend or neighbor!) who can provide professional help. Compile a list of potential CPAs and tax accountants and ask friends, family, and co-workers for referrals Alternatively, websites like AccountantList can help you find qualified accountants.
Putting these things in order now will set you up for success when you’re ready to launch.
Step 7: Tell the world about your nutrition coaching business
Craft your message and spread the word! Some steps I recommend taking for broadcasting your message, building relationships and sharing your business with your community and beyond include defining your brand and developing a strong message.
Define Your Brand: Before reaching out, ensure you have a clear understanding of your brand. What are your core values, unique selling points, and the tone of voice? Use tools like Canva for creating a visual brand identity, including logos and color schemes.
Create a Contact List: Write down a list of people and places you frequently interact with. This includes friends, family, neighbors, local businesses like coffee shops, fitness centers, grocery stores, and nail salons, and even your mailman! You’ll develop this list in just a moment.
Develop Your Message: Craft a clear, concise message about your business. What services do you offer? How do you add value to your potential clients’ lives? Remember, this message should reflect your brand’s tone and values.
Personalize Your Approach: Customize your message for different groups. Depending on your audience, select the most effective communication tool (i.e text message, email, social media, or an in-person meet-up!). What appeals to family and friends might be different from what resonates with local business owners.
Follow Up: After your initial contact, follow up with more detailed information or an invitation for a one-on-one discussion about your services.
Leverage Local Community Boards: Post your services on local community boards, both physical (in coffee shops, gyms) and online (local community websites or groups).
Networking Events: Attend local events or workshops related to nutrition and wellness to spread the word in person.
Create a Referral Program: Encourage your initial contacts to refer others by offering incentives, which can be managed through platforms like Sparkloop or Referral Rock.
Track Your Outreach: Keep a record of who you’ve contacted and the response. Tools like Trello or Asana or even dedicated folders in Gmail can help organize and track these efforts.
Streamline your practice, elevate client care. Manage appointments, EHR, and payments seamlessly with this all-in-one platform. Empower yourself and your clients for better health outcomes using Practice Better.
Now it’s time to hone your coaching skills. Find two or three friends or family members to practice on, or lean on the Nutritious Life Studio community if you decide to enroll! We host monthly Coaching Labs where you can practice coaching skills via a mock session in a safe, comfortable space. You’ll also have access to our weekly live Zoom sessions. If you ever find yourself in a tricky situation with a client, you’ll have a supportive network of nutrition coaches, dietitians and wellness gurus at your disposal to guide you through it. Their insights, along with my expertise and years of experience, will provide valuable guidance and direction for your professional growth.
Then, gather feedback and refine your approach. This real-world experience will help you build confidence.
“I honestly credit Keri for helping build my business to where it is today — a steady roster of private clients, growing my group coaching program from 20 to 100+ women, and an engaged social media following. – – Erin Parekh, Holistic Nutritionist, Nutritious Life Certified “
Step 9: Set up your pricing structure
Design your service offerings. There are a variety of pricing structures you could consider: 1:1 and group coaching, single- or multiple-session packages, monthly subscriptions or a signature program like a 12-week gut-healing program or 8-week hormone reset. Consider offering a mix of high and low-ticket services to appeal to a broader range of clients. Feel free to get creative: think through your unique value and how to cater to different client needs and goals.
Before diving into the types of services you offer, it’s important to have a clear financial goal. Consider how much income you aim to generate (here’s another opportunity to dream BIG!).
This will guide you in determining your pricing strategy. Here’s how you can approach this:
Determine Your Financial Goals: Start by setting a clear income target for the year. Break this down into monthly and weekly goals to make it more manageable.
Calculate Your Expenses: Factor in your business expenses, including certification costs, marketing, tools, and any other operational costs. This will give you a baseline of what you need to earn to cover costs and achieve your desired profit.
Assess Your Time and Value: Consider how many hours you can realistically dedicate to direct nutrition coaching work. Balance this with the value you provide, your expertise, and the market rates for similar services.
Step 10: Sign your first client!
Now that you’ve done steps 1 through 9, there’s only one thing left to do: get clients! There are so many ways you can get yourself out there and sign up the lucky individuals who will benefit from your services: run a free online workshop, run a giveaway, create educational social media posts that highlight your expertise, try blogging or guest-blogging, reach out to practitioners and set up a referral program, start an email or leverage your personal networks. There are no limits to how you can reach your people.
If you’re seeking more comprehensive support, the Nutritious Life Studio’s Become a Nutrition Coach program is designed to provide you with all the tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience you need.
To learn more about the nutrition coaching program features, benefits, and how to enroll, we invite you speak with a program advisor. This is more than just a course; it’s the beginning of a life-changing journey in the world of health and wellness.
