As sappy is it sounds, I always wanted to counsel people on nutrition since the fifth grade. I visualized myself sitting in a plushy office and standing in my power. My father, one of my greatest mentors, introduced me to every dietitian that he could find in our hometown so that I could learn more about the profession. Growing up, my father owned a successful printing business so I was exposed to entrepreneurship first hand.

My vision became much clearer in high school when I swam competitively and wanted to know what it took to optimize sport performance through nutrition. Little did I know, but I had fallen into a trap of disordered eating. However, I wanted to be the greatest sports nutritionist that ever lived.

I attended college at Michigan State University, where I majored in dietetics. I took many electives in business, through the school of Hospitality Management as “Human Ecology” was much too “home-ec-y” for my character. Today, most university Schools of Human Ecology have thankfully disbanded, placing respective majors in more professional sounding atmospheres within the university setting. In addition, more and more dietetic curriculums and internship are offering courses in entrepreneurship so students don’t have to look outside the major to get what they need to succeed.

Upon completing my Bachelor’s Degree, I enrolled in my dietetic internship at Harper Hospital, now known as Detroit Medical Center. Did I give those dietitians, and my internship director, and run for their money! I was labeled, “the problem child”—always challenging the establishment. This carried over to my first job in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I challenged a cocky resident about his patient care. Unfortunately, none of the dietitians in my internship, nor my first job, realized that I was not cut out to be an employee. I was truly an entrepreneur, but no one knew how to put a positive label on my personality.

I did hold another job, after my stint in Kalamazoo. My boss was tough, but she knew what I was all about. My third job allowed me the flexibility my personality demanded, I completed my Master’s Degree, at Wayne State University, in Exercise Physiology, and my boss encouraged me to spread my wings.

My first consulting job was at the hospital that I left—Sinai Hospital of Detroit. How supportive was that? The early days of my private practice consisted of seeing patients in different physician clinics each day of the week, along with the cardiac rehabilitation program that I left full time. From the physician offices, I opened up my own office and grew my practice adding a variety of services to patient counseling, including supermarket tours, cooking classes, private cooking, corporate wellness, quality assurance and more. I added a number of dietitians to my practice, along with a receptionist. My greatest “partner,” was my childhood friend who worked for Diabetes Supply Company.

Through strategizing, marketing and cross-referring, I grew my business by leaps and bounds, while my friend and colleague became the number one sales representative in her company. My co-authored book, Nutrition Secrets for Optimal Health, also fueled my practice, as it was one of the first vegetarian books written by dietitians and well received.

In the new millennium, I sold my practice as an asset, to Integrated Nutrition, LLC, and started, Jump Start? Consulting, LLC. Although I conducted seminars on getting into private practice locally over the years, I took this concept nationally and still run the only business of its kind strictly devoted to teaching other dietitians how to start or expand their private practice, through workshops, self-directed manuals and private consulting.

I eventually went back into private practice, after completing my yoga teacher training certification, and transformed the way I worked with clients into a spiritual and empowering experience. We teach most what we need to learn, which is why I ended up specializing in eating disorders, attracting so many people over the years who struggle with their relationship between food, body image and emotions. As an entrepreneur, I saw an opportunity and created an organization to pursue the opportunity. Currently, I fill a niche in my community for many struggling with eating disorders who are looking for a fresh approach to their healing work. I also produced a yoga and eating disorder recovery DVD, Reconnect with Food…Unplugged!

My private practice, Reconnect with Food? is on its way to morphing into a multi-disciplinary holistic healing center, for eating disorders and related addictions, with myself as the owner of the center. It’s very exciting!

As the healer, Kahuna Harry Jim, teaches, “The aimless arrow never misses.” Set your goals, but don’t be attached to them as you may find that you need to change course in the direction of your business over time. I change my business plan often. As you see, I have changed my career goals within the field. Remember, business has its ups and downs. Sometimes the worst mistakes can be life’s greatest teachers. Focus and effort are keys to success. Believe in yourself and always remember what Carolyn Myss says, “When you do not seek or need external approval, you are at your most powerful.”

Beverly Price, RD, MA, RYT owns and operates Jump Start Consulting, LLC and Reconnect with Food

Jump Start Consulting
Management and marketing strategies for registered dietitians
http://www.gettingthatjumpstart.com/

Reconnect with Food
Yoga and eating disorder recovery programs
www.reconnectwithfood.com