Katelyn Parsons | Photo Credit: Studio Luniste
Name: Katelyn Parsons
Location: San Diego, California
Business Name: Modern Girl Holistics
Established: 2017
Website + Facebook + Instagram
WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS?
I'm a Certified holistic health coach and yoga teacher.
My specialty is helping career-driven women reduce their food cravings + emotional eating patterns so that they can begin to release weight without dieting.
I help them achieve this via my 3-phase signature program The Modern Girl Method.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
It was more so that I found my purpose- a deep calling to do this type of work. I knew that I didn't want a cap on my message or HOW I shared that, so working for myself was the best option.
I've also been a self-starter by nature so this seemed like the best route.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INDUSTRY OR NICHE?
After spending the majority of my life battling disordered eating and chronic confusion around food or diet, I finally found a process that helped heal my relationship with food and understand HOW my mind + body were connected.
Sharing this message with other women who are struggling quickly became my mission!
I love helping to make eating easy and share HOW our food choices are connected to so many things within our lifestyle….(mood, immunity, weight, skin etc.)
Katelyn Parsons | Photo Credit: Studio Luniste
DO YOU DO THIS FULL TIME? IF YES, WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? IF NO, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?
Yes! This is my full-time job 🙂
Phew- my career path has taken a lot of turns, but it's so interesting when I connect the dots- it's so clearly lead me to this point in my life.
After college, I spent a few years in corporate fashion. SUCH a fun + exciting time…but after 1 too many tears spent crying overs scarves, I knew that I needed to make a change.
I took a leap of faith and started recruiting for accounting & finance professionals at a boutique firm and REALLY learned the ropes of marketing, customer service, relationship building etc…
During this time I also enrolled back in school to go for my Holistic Health Coaching Certification.
My husband and I had decided to move to San Diego, so I took a couple of other marketing positions out here while I was still going through my education and eventually went full-time in my nutrition business.
DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU STUDY?
Yes! Florida State University graduate. I studied fashion- BA in Textile Science.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR? WHY OR WHY NOT?
It's always been a whisper in the back of my mind, even when I didn't even think of this as an option!
Long before I got into nutrition, I knew that I wanted to call the shots in my career…so I used a little bit of strategy to lay the foundation.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED SINCE STARTING YOUR BUSINESS?
Oh I have more than a few haha!
BUILD YOUR EMAIL LIST. Even if you don't have an actual business. Even if you don't write a consistent email yet. This is the #1 piece of advice that I'd suggest every person do from the start. You'll wish you had once you begin to gain momentum in your business/strategy.
CONSISTENCY. Show up for your audience and ENGAGE with them on a regular basis- even if it's just 10 minutes a day. This also goes back to posting, videos or sending emails…your audience will begin to understand your rhythm and look forward to you showing up. They keep ME accountable 🙂
MINDSET. If you think that your market is saturated or people won't pay for your services, you're sadly mistaken. There's a million people in this world saying the exact same thing. Your business is built on HOW you say it and the audience that the message finally clicks for.
Katelyn Parsons | Photo Credit: Studio Luniste
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
Time management. When I first went full-time in my job I thought “This is great! I'll be able to get SO MUCH DONE.” and that's true- but sometimes having TOO much time can be completely overwhelming. A big lesson in strategy + setting boundaries.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?
Just start showing up!! If you have something that you want to say, sell or teach just start doing it consistently. It could be any social media platform, email, workshop/meet up etc. The beautiful part of entrepreneurship today is that there are SO many ways that you can test without leaving your full-time job. It's a great way to figure out if it's truly for you.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SETBACKS AND IMPOSTER SYNDROME?
I try to stay in my own lane as much as possible and put the side blinders on. My journey for learning, growing, how I want to SERVE my client and community will always be evolving. So having the confidence to speak boldly in my truth at this moment is the best way that I can stay consistent, learn and develop.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR AND DOING WHAT YOU DO?
EVERYTHING. lol
No, it's true though- aside from my family and adventure, this is my single biggest passion.
The fact that I get to create a unique space to help change the lives of other women- I don't have enough words to express the gratitude that I feel.
It's still hard to believe that this is my job.
And don't get me wrong- there's plenty of blood, sweat + tears…but I wouldn't have it any other way.
If you weren't a creative entrepreneur, what would you be doing?
Omg! It's so hard to imagine now…probably working at a creative startup of some kind.
What does success mean to you?
Checking off my to-do list….daily, quarterly, yearly. Both professionally and personally.
Also NOT checking anything off my to-do list and just truly living in the moment. Easier said than done 🙂
What is your why?
I LOVE this question. It's the very first exercise that I have all of my clients do.
As a business owner, I think that it's important to have 2.
One that's emotional and one that's practical…the practical one is something that I think a lot of entrepreneurs miss, but it's SO important. This is what is going to get you up at 6 AM or make turning down social invitations to get a project done WORTH IT.
My emotional WHY: To make eating easy for women, so that they have the energy and confidence to go after their biggest dreams.
My practical WHY: To run a business that allows me to be my own boss, and live where I want without worry.
IMAGINE IT’S A YEAR FROM NOW AND YOU’RE CELEBRATING WHAT A GREAT YEAR IT WAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ACHIEVED?
Confidence for my marketing strategy- I'm really focused on creating a system that is planned out effectively so that I have more time in the day for my clients.
Going on vacation without having to work.
Hitting my financial goals so that I can re-invest in my business for the next year.
Katelyn Parsons | Photo Credit: Studio Luniste
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL/WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY?
I wish I had one single person! There are so many women who constantly inspire me- my fellow business colleagues, Marie Forleo, Oprah….
WHO HAVE BEEN THREE OF THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS ON YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY?
My husband, my parents (and his parents ;), and my best friend.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?
Exploring!! Honestly, hopping in the car with my husband and just seeing where the day takes us is my favorite thing to do- even if we're traveling. I also like to move my body- yoga, long walks, light runs, hiking…anything outside. And dinner parties with friends or family.
WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? HOW DO YOU THINK THAT IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS?
An extroverted introvert- I have absolutely no problem in social situations, but I always have to force myself to go to them. I'm rarely regretful when I do though. Because I'm so engaged with my community, I really value that quiet, alone time so that I can recharge and SHOW UP.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST PRODUCTIVE? ARE YOU AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?
Early bird…my brain slows down after 3 PM so all of my major work gets done first thing in the AM.
DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR STAYING PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME?
Make a to-do list every day (the night before) and stick to it.
A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS
WHAT IS A BUSINESS TOOL YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
G Suite!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR AFFIRMATION?
“It's already done.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PODCAST?
SO MANY!!! Here are a few- One Part Podcast/Mind, Body Green/Almost 30
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BLOG?
Mind, Body, Green.
The Every Girl
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOK?
Start with Why by Simon Sine
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