I get questions all the time as a nutritionist, business owner and wellness entrepreneur! I love when you guys ask me questions by the way, so I decided to dedicate a whole blog post to 10 FAQs I get asked on a day-to-day basis about being a wellness entrepreneur. If there's a question I've missed, please post it in the comments section below. Okay, let's do this!
10 Questions I Get As A Wellness Entrepreneur
1. How do you find a work/life balance?
Life is a balancing act! Meaning, work/life balance is always something I’m always working on and I don’t think I will wake up one day and be like “I’ve got this – for the rest of my life, I am balanced”. I recently did a video and wrote a whole article about balancewhere I talk about what I do to keep myself sane!
Some days I feel really balanced because I did a yoga class in the morning, we had our family smoothie, I spent a good chunk of time at the office, then spent quality time with my family. While other days I nearly pee my pants and I'm feeling stressed that I have only been able to write half an email in 24 hours. And to make matters worse, I'll feel like I'm failing in the mothering department because Vienna has been wearing the same diaper for four hours.
Despite all that, it's interesting to note that some of my greatest accomplishments have happened when I haven’t been very balanced. And that’s okay! So my long-winded answer to this question is it’s something I’m striving for every single day – work/life balance.
I think what is most important is that when you feel yourself falling out of balance, you do things to bring yourself back into balance.
For me, it always comes back to eating well, my family and nature. All three bring me so much joy and pleasure. When I'm falling out of balance I know right away because that's when my throat feels scratchy like I'm gonna get sick or I feel anxious and forgetful.
2. How do you stay motivated when you're working on your own?
Whenever I feel like procrastinating (aka I’m not motivated), I change my scenery. If for instance, I’m working on an article and feeling really stuck, I change my location. I might go to a café or maybe I just take a break and go for a walk and plan to catch up later (when Vienna is sleeping). As an entrepreneurial mom of a toddler, working at night is often the reality and I actually find I’m more in a creative mood to write at night. When I’m in the office are usually there’s meetings, and lots of emails to catch up on, so at night when it's quiet, is perfect for being creative.
3. How do you get through the non-money-making period?
My short answer is: don’t spend money you don’t have.
Have one credit card only, and don’t carry a balance. Did I follow this advice in my early days of being an entrepreneur? Of course not! Ahhhh the life of an entrepreneur – the ups and downs of money!
The photo above pretty much sums it up.
Learning to manage my cash flow was something I learned the hard way. In the early days when I was struggling to pay rent and buy groceries because my income was inconsistent, I picked up some bad habits. These bad habits consisted of spending all my money when I had it and then counting pennies when I didn’t.
However, when I met Walker back in 2010, he was so organized and careful with money; he taught me some good money management tips. Before I met him, I was considering working with a financial advisor or some kind of expert who could help me get on track. So if you don’t have a “Walker” in your life, then find an expert who can advise you! If you’re feeling down in the dumps because you can’t join your friends for a costly spa weekend getaway, go do something else fun!! Have a picnic in the park, go hiking on a nearby trail, go for a bike ride. There are so many fun activities that won’t cost you a penny!
And remember, that this tough time will pass if you keep working hard and smart!
4. What's the best piece of advice you've received about entrepreneurship?
Know your worth and never discount your services. That was advice my dad gave to me years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. I especially appreciate the part about “know your worth”. Honour your value and respect it. The value you have as an expert in your field should not be discounted simply because someone asks for it. If someone is serious about hiring you, they will.
5. What's the best part about being an entrepreneur? What's the worst part?
The best part? Where do I start? I love being my own boss because it gives me the flexibility to live my life the way I want to. If I want to take an afternoon off because I know I will be speaking all weekend long then I can do that. I love being creative and coming up with new ideas for joyous health, whether that be a new product, a partnership with a new brand or a new recipe. I’m always thinking 10 steps ahead of where I’m currently at. This is probably not always the best way to be, but having a business partner who is very grounded is super helpful. I also love the fact that I see results from my efforts. I know that if I write a book, it will be successful if I put love towards promoting it and educating people on everything I teach in my book. If I simply just assume I have a book and it will sell itself, it won't. By the way, did you know I have two best-selling cookbooks? ;) Joyous Health and Joyous Detox! You need them both (shameless self-promotion!)
The worst part of being an entrepreneur is that it is tough to take real time off. You can never fully just leave your business, unless maybe you're Bill Gates. Meaning, I couldn’t go to a remote island of the south pacific and camp out there for a month with no internet connection. But I’m okay with this. I love what I do, so the fact that even when we go on vacation we still need to check in every so often, is totally fine with me.
6. What are the most important things to invest in when you're starting your business?
Education. You’ve invested in your education to become an expert in your field and now it’s time to educate yourself about running the business. This could mean taking additional courses or programs, or simply reading, reading reading. Find blogs, books, other entrepreneurs, magazines and publications that have good tips and soak it all in. You can also look to schools like Harvard Business School who produce amazing articles and resources that you can learn from, for free! Hint, hint, check out the Joyous Health Business Program.
7. How do you differentiate yourself in a saturated industry like holistic nutrition?
I focus on being me and I don’t compare myself to anyone. There is no other Joy McCarthy or Joyous Health out there in the world. I will attract people and fans who are inspired by my message and like what I have to say. I don’t have to please everyone and I’m okay with that. So if there are 10,000 other chocolate chia puddings when you search on google and I’ve got one, I’m good with that because mine is unique to me! This question makes me think of the quote "Be yourself, because everyone else is taken." Just remain authentic and you never ever have to worry about what others are doing!
8. Where do you get your recipe ideas?
I get inspiration fromtravel. Every time Walker, Vienna and I visit another city, I make a point of visiting a farmers market and eating where the locals eat, not where every single tourist eats. I love food magazines too. I get inspiration simply from looking at a beautiful plate of food! I don't even need to look a recipe. I also get inspiration from food photos on instagram. And most importantly, I get food inspiration from members of my family!
9. How do you find time for yourself?
I carve out time in my google calendar. As you probably heard me say in this video, I schedule everything. I LIVE by my calendar. This is how I find time to see my girlfriends, go to the farmers market and get my bangs trimmed. This is also how I never ever forget anything I've commited to.
10. What are your favourite books and resources as a wellness entrepreneur?
I love this question! Thanks by the way, to @annie_bach_williams who asked me on instagram DM. Walker and I have two great books on our beside table:
1. Tools of Titans. This is one of those books that I just flip open to a random page and read it when I need a little kick in the ASS or I'm needing some inspo. It's impossible not to feel inspired after just reading a couple of pages.
2. YOU are a bad ass. I actually lent this book to someone and I can't remember who!! So, if you're reading this and I lent you this book, can you please give it back to me? :) I really connected with this book because I felt like she was talking directly to me. By the end of You Are a Badass, you'll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass <-- that last part is from the Amazon link I posted and sums it up perfectly.
... and there you have it guys!
If I missed a question you'd love an answer on, please post it below.
Have a joyous day!
Joy
Ps. If you're a wellness entrepreneur, be sure to check out my upcoming Joyous Health Business Program. Get on the early bird list right now to SAVE!
I love this post - thanks for sharing Joy! Remembering to 'know your worth' is so important and something I tend to forget from time to time - so thank you for the reminder. Also - I love the book You Are a Badass! One of my faves!
ReplyHey Amy! So glad you loved the post. Yes, knowing your worth is so key! It's so easy to want to discount ourselves and help everyone but you have to recognize how valuable your skills really are! Rachel - Joyous Health Business
I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing this Joy! Also love Jen Sincero's You are a Badass! That book literally speaks to me, especially as I launch my own wellness/lifestyle coaching practice.
ReplyHey Tania! So glad you loved the post and are loving the You Are A Badass book – such a good read! So exciting that you're launching your own coaching practice as well. You should definitely get on the early bird list for the Joyous Health Business program if you haven't yet! www.joyousbusiness.com Rachel - Joyous Health Team
For how long did you take clients 1 on 1 and do you consult individually now?
ReplyHey Stephanie, Joy started consulting back in 2009 and just recently stopped at the beginning of this year in Jan 2017 as she began to shift her focus to other things. She will still see the odd client here and there but it's not a primary part of her business anymore. Since she hasn't been consulting, I have been taking over consulting for her (I am also a Holistic Nutritionist). Hope that helps to answer your question :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
love this so much :) Pretty much read every single one of your posts today.
ReplyThanks lady!