Q&A with Entrepreneur and RD, Gisela Bouvier

Gisela is an English and Spanish speaking Mindful and Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. As a woman who struggled with an Eating Disorder for over a decade, her passion is to help heal clients from chronic and stressful dieting, learn to reconnect with their bodies’ desires and find total food freedom. All foods fit! Learn more at www.bnutritionandwellness.com

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I am a 31-year-old wife and mom from Miami, FL. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University. I currently live in Southwest Florida and own a virtual Nutrition Counseling practice called B Nutrition and Wellness.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was inspired to start my own business because I was miserable at my job. I was building menu databases for hospitals from home and missed connecting with people. I became a Dietitian so that I could help others find health through nutrition. I was always too scared to leap into becoming an entrepreneur. It took a job that made me unhappy to push me to start my business.

Where is your business based?’

My business is a virtual practice. Every day I get to connect with women all over the country via video chatting and phone calls, helping them find peace with food. I also see local clients at a yoga studio in North Port, Florida.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After I quit my full-time job, the first thing I did was file my business name online. I asked friends and family which name they liked best out of 3 options and then I filed. Next, I opened up a business account at my local bank and then purchased my Client Portal Platform. Lastly, I hired someone to build my website. After I had all of those components, I started to promote myself on social media platforms and began to write to reporter queries to get my name out. Slowly, but surely, my business started to grow.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Instagram has been the most effective way to bring awareness to my business. I am able to engage with potential clients and show through posts and captions how I found my own journey into finding peace with food. I am relatable to my target audience and it has tremendously helped me gain clients.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My initial biggest challenge was not connecting with the right individuals and business coaches. Many wanted to change my brand or my approach to clients. They wanted me to focus on helping people lose weight or develop recipes and become a dietitian food blogger. That just wasn’t me. It wasn’t until I connected with a female business coach who understood my vision that helped me with the tools I needed to grow my company. There is no blueprint on how to grow a business. You can do and figure out a lot on your own, but you definitely need someone to help give you the extra boost.

How do you stay focused?

I stay focused by keeping my end goal in mind. I envision the day where I can walk away from all other per diem and part-time jobs and solely work and depend on my business. My daughter also keeps me focused. I want to show her that anyone can build their dream job if they truly want it.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

My business differentiates because my message about Mindful and Intuitive Eating is clear. My clients know that with me, I truly help them and allow them to truly reconnect with their bodies’ desires and intuitiveness. There is no “wrong” answer when it comes to their nutrition and I help them dive into what truly may be contributing to their strained relationship with food. Every client’s approach is individualized and I give them my unconditional support until they are able to find their total food freedom.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Just as Instagram has brought the most awareness to my business, it also has been my most effective marketing strategy. The platform allows me to be myself to connect with my target audience on a personal level. Also, growing my email list and providing clients with valuable content has provided effective marketing. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Always remember why you started. The ride is not easy, but it is well worth it. Also, get a business coach who understands what you envision from the beginning. Do not work with mentors that may want to change you – grow with mentors that want to challenge you in positive ways and help provide you with tools on how to grow your business.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Healthie, which is my online Client Portal. It allows me to organize my calendar, book clients, and connect with them from anywhere in the world. My favorite book is called Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD and Elyse Resch, MS, RD, FADA. Their principles are the foundation of my counseling approach with my clients. Lastly, Food Psych podcast by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN and Conversations with Anne Elizabeth podcast by Anne Elizabeth, RD have also been wonderful resources for me.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My favorite business resource has been Carla Biesinger’s and Libby Rothschild’s course “Instagram Secrets to Success” has been one of the best investments I have made as a business owner. This course made me realize how important branding is to grow your business, attract clients, and be authentic in your own field. It completely transformed my branding and my approach on my social media platforms and my website.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I have two business role models. The first one is my Business Mentor and Coach, Carla Biesinger. She is an Online Marketing Specialist that has built her business as a coach and mentor working from anywhere in the world. She travels the world and connects with thousands of people everywhere, helping them build their brand. Libby Rothschild is a fellow dietitian and another business role model for me. She has created an online community for dietitians simply by connecting with people via Instagram and now creates courses to help people grow their brand. She has multiple streams of income and is a role model for organization and completing tasks daily.

14). What do you have planned for the next six months?

During the next 6 months, I plan to continue learning how to create email sequences and series to further engage with potential clients. I also plan to start taking on business clients of my own to help young dietitian entrepreneurs start their own online practices. 

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me via the following:

Website: www.bnutritionandwellness.com

Email: hello@bnutritionandwellness.com

Instagram: @bnutritionandwellness

Facebook: @bnutritionandwellness