Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Malone, owner of Dark Horse Nutrition LLC., located in Reston, VA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Takes an evidence-based approach to nutrition while using habit and food tracking software and education to help you achieve optimal health and feel your very best! We provide individual customized nutrition and wellness coaching for individuals over 40 looking to lose 50lbs or more! We specialized in weight loss and emotional eating. We are here to guide you to your goals and show you that you don't have to live your life this way. We will help you lose the weight and keep it off once and for all!

Dark Horse Nutrition also provides employee wellness services for small and medium businesses. Research has shown that businesses who offer employee wellness see a reduction in healthcare/insurance costs, increased productivity, higher morale and retention rates, reduction in employee used sick days/callouts, and so much more! Why are Nutrition and Wellness Group Coaching with Dark Horse Nutrition? Having served 14 years in the Air Force as both a Police Officer and Intelligence Analyst, I know firsthand just how important nutrition and wellness are. Working 12-hour shifts and being on call, all while expected to be at peak performance, I understand the challenges and how to solve them.

Providing customized nutrition and wellness programs to the workforce comes with many benefits to not only the employees but the employers as well. Benefits such as:

  • Reduction in healthcare/insurance costs and reduction in employee used sick days/callouts
    Increased productivity
  • Improved health behaviors and habits such as an increase in exercise/movement, better nutrition choices, stress management, and so much more.
  • Increased employee retention, satisfaction, and morale.

Nutrition and Wellness Coaching with Dark Horse Nutrition provides multiple focus areas that benefit both the employer and employees, weight & stress management, habit changes, nutrition & wellness workshops, and so much more!

Tell us about yourself

I am a 14-year Air Force veteran, fitness enthusiast, wife, and cat mom to 2 crazy cats (Fred and Wilma). For years I struggled with my health physical, mental, and emotional. Yo-yo dieting, quick fixes, and fad diets, I have done it ALL. And the weight always immediately came back on! I was unhappy and felt lost. With education, healthier habits, and taking back control over my mental and emotional health, I was able to lose the weight and keep it off. I not only have the knowledge to help you reach your goals, I have personal experience and can most certainly empathize with someone just starting out.

I believe that food shouldn't be difficult or restrictive. You shouldn't have to give up the foods you love. It is all about moderation. I will work with you to find the right balance that fits your busy lifestyle. This will be a collaborative effort when it comes to finding what works best for you. After all, no one knows you better than YOU!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping an individual client overcome binge eating tendencies and sugar addiction. She was able to lose 30lbs while working with me while overcoming all those other obstacles!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Outside of client acquisition, I would have to say time management and self-accountability. While working a traditional "9-5," there is always a boss or manager telling you what task needs to be done by when and there is someone to report to. When you work on your own, there is no one telling you to get out of bed, to send that email, or to keep you on task. It is all you.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Hire a business coach right away. Everyone can benefit from a coach, no matter what stage of business you are in.
  2. Lay the foundation/framework first before trying to market your business to get business. That is one mistake that all new business owners make, and it comes back to bite them (and me) in the butt later.
  3. Join your local Chamber of Commerce or a networking group. Chambers are a great way to network and meet other business owners, get mentors, learn and grow, and get involved in the local community, which is great for getting you and your business out there.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am passionate about what I do, as most business owners are. Since I was also pushing 200lbs at my heaviest at 5' short, I know just what it is like to be overweight and unhappy in my own skin. Because of my own personal experience and transformation, I believe I am the right person to help others in a similar situation do just that! I also love educating, so working with businesses is tons of fun and brings out my creative side!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.darkhorse-nutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nutritiondark
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nutritiondark/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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