We want you to meet Randa Derkson from Vernon, British Columbia. She is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and has been in business for 14 years.
What does your dream life look like? Are you currently living your dream or still working on it?
My dream life revolves around freedom. I’m grateful that as a business owner, I am able to have the freedom to pick up my kids from school, take time when they’re sick, and choose family holidays based on my husband’s schedule and not mine.
However, I’m still working on other aspects of freedoms: freedom of time, financial freedom, and freedom to pick and choose what I do with my business.
It will probably always be a work in progress as my business grows, but I’m on my way to living my dream life.
That sounds great. Tell us what you do.
I’m a Certified Holistic Nutritionist that doesn’t believe in dieting or deprivations. I focus on helping working moms navigate their to-do lists while still focusing on their nutrition goals.
I don’t believe in diets or deprivations, there are nights when you’ll be eating boxed mac and cheese or cereal for dinner with the kids. I help clients focus on their macronutrients and balancing their days vs being “perfect” with their eating.
What inspired you to get started?
I was deep in diet culture for years. Fad diet after fad diet, starving myself, and working out like crazy.
After I had my daughter, I said no more. I educated myself further about nutrition, our food choices, and found a system that not only works for me as a mom who runs her own business but for clients as well.
You’ve been in business for 14 years. Share a challenge you’ve faced along your entrepreneurial journey.
That work-life balance is a myth. There are days where my house is spotless, dinner is on the table, and homemade bread is on the counter but those are the days I neglected my business. The days when I accomplish a lot in my business, I (along with my house) look like I’ve been in the trenches.
Being okay with this is still a work in progress but I’m easing the pressure of what I think I need to have done vs what I actually need to have done.
We can all relate to that.
How has being an introvert affected your business?
I learned how to network online. Some of my closest friends live across the country or in another country. We’ve been able to bounce business ideas off each other, promote each other, and confide in each other.
These friendships and mentorships are precious to me.
What methods do you use to bring in new clients?
I have multiple lead magnets to get clients on my email list, which takes them through a funnel and onto my list. I post on social media and offer answers first. Yes, answers first.
I give them what works and if they want to work with me one on one or join my membership, we can dive deeper there.
Don’t be afraid to give the answer, you have more to share than one little thing!
Is attending networking events a part of your marketing strategy?
They haven’t been. I’d love to but being in the area of Canada I live in and having two little ones at home, it’s not always feasible to travel to the events.
How do you define success for yourself and your business?
Success is money flowing freely, without giving up all my time and energy… and maybe a few more trips to Disneyland.
What advice would you give to other introverted women who are just starting their own businesses?
We tend to doubt ourselves, but my mantra for the last two years has been just f*cking do it.
I even made an image of that quote as my screen saver on my phone. That way when I think twice about posting that reel or TikTok, I see it and do it anyway.
I love that mantra! What is something you think most introverted entrepreneurs neglect?
Themselves! We work so hard on building our businesses we forget to take care of ourselves. Carve time for a 20-minute walk, a hot bath to unwind, and eat well.
Nutrition plays a huge part in our business. It’s our fuel to work hard!
Here are some quick tips:
- Meal prep your difficult meals when you’re in the thick of it (this way you can grab and go).
- Think overnight oats for breakfast, cook chicken, and have veggies prepped for easy salads or stir-fries.
- Prioritize protein to keep you full, and drink a ton of water.
I help working moms do this with macros, that way it’s flexible with your schedule. You can get the quick how-to guide with my free Fast Track Your Nutrition with Macros eBook: https://randaderkson.com/fasttrack
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Where can our readers find more information about you?
You can head to my website: https://randaderkson.com
Listen to my podcast Realistic Habits with Randa Derkson: www.realisticnutritionpodcast.com
IG: @randanutrition
TikTok: @randanutrition
