Have you ever considered working somewhere you could make a real difference in people’s lives, help them to become healthier, and also have control over your income and your life?
Well, that’s the dream for many small business owners – and the good news is that for those who have good discipline, opening doors on their own practice allows them to live the life of their dreams.
The Edison Institute of Nutrition helps you learn how to become a registered holistic nutritionist, but doesn’t leave you to figure out the application on your own.
We include courses in our programs that help you decide how you’re going to apply your knowledge as a holistic nutritionist, whether that’s working within a coöperative practice setting, or opening up your own private practice.
If you’re planning to start your own practice, though, you’ll need a business plan.
What Is A Business Plan?
A business plan is a document that business owners draw up in order to ensure that their business idea and business model are viable and profitable.
Although there are many different ways to write business plans, they tend to follow the same kind of general outline, and cover every aspect of a business.
When you’re doing your business plan, don’t be afraid to customize it – in fact, that’s encouraged.
Your business plan should truly be a fingerprint for your business, in all its unique glory.
Do You Need A Business Plan?
Whether or not you actually NEED a business plan depends on your intentions.
Do you intend to work as a registered holistic nutritionist at an already established clinic?
If so, you won’t need a business plan, just a resume.
However, if you’re looking to open your own clinic, then you almost certainly will need a business plan – whether you plan on starting your own from scratch or buy into a practice.
The reason you’ll need a business plan if you’re your own boss is mainly because it is an unparalleled exercise in ensuring you have thought of everything you need in order to own and run a business.
However, if you’re looking for a bank loan or another type of funding, lenders will often require a business plan, to ensure that you are a good risk for them.
What Should Your Business Plan Include?
First off, it should include the basic business information: name, address, contact information, ownership information, and any web or social presence.
You also will need to have a section that deals with human resources information – positions that will need to be filled, and consultants or vendors you will need to source.
Don’t forget the financials – a good business plan will lay out a high-level budget plus projections for at least a year or two.
You will also need the how part of the plan – the actual actions you will take in opening up your private practice.
Should You DIY Your Business Plan?
Absolutely, you can DIY your business plan – after all, it’s YOUR business.
As we mentioned above, customization is ideal in a business plan, because each business will have some unique needs.
We also pointed out that it’s a good exercise for a business owner to go through, as it forces you to think about every aspect of the business you plan on running.
However, it’s best if you start with a template, so reach out to a friend in the industry, ask a professor, or do a careful internet search – there are many examples out there.
Try to find one related specifically to a healthcare practice and then go from there.
Take your time, really think things through, put all your thoughts in the document, then go back through with a fine-tooth comb.
The business plan reflects your dreams and what you want to accomplish with your business, so don’t be afraid to capture that creative flair in your planning.
However, there are professional business plan writing consultants you can work with as well.
These people know what banks and private investors are looking for – if you’re planning to go that route, consider working with one.
Tips For Writing A Business Plan For Registered Holistic Nutritionists
Beyond the more general information to include, there are some specific areas that registered holistic nutritionists might need to have a more careful look at.
First off, you’ll want to identify your market.
When you open up your doors, you’re not going to try to get everyone all at once – you’re going to want to leverage your particular interests and specialties in order to target a certain demographic or population in your area.
Whether that’s seniors, cancer survivors, youth, or peri-natal, you’ll want to spend some time how you can focus on your chosen group, so that you can customize your products and marketing.
That’s not to say you need to turn anybody away – if someone shows up you think you can help who’s outside your target demographic, there’s nothing stopping you from working with them.
They’re just not the primary focus of your practice.
As well, as a healthcare practice, you’ll need to pay close attention patient privacy and data security, so be sure to check out CIRA’s website on how to do that.
Lastly, if you plan on entering any partnerships with complimentary products or services, or perhaps a referral partnership that you trade business with, this is the perfect place to list and describe these.
Edison’s Business Of Holistic Nutrition Consulting Course
If you’re already in practice as a registered holistic nutritionist, it’s always a good idea to commit to holistic nutritionist continuing education programs.
Here at the Edison Institute Of Nutrition, we’ve recently updated our continuing education course on holistic nutrition business management.
In that course, you’ll learn:
- How to identify your ideal client
- How to attract your ideal clients
- How to market your new practice
- How to best connect with your clients
- How to get referrals from existing clients
- And much more.
Our next session begins January 14th, 2021.
Contact us today to find out more.
Contact The Edison Institute Of Nutrition
If you’re interested in being your own boss, and you love the idea of helping people improve your health, then becoming a holistic nutritionist could be the perfect career for you.
Here at Edison Institute of Nutrition, we prepare you for that career.
We do this by not only giving you the nutritional knowledge you need to do the work, but the business skills you need to be able to succeed, no matter what your dream.
Reach out now and get more information from Edison Institute of Nutrition and enjoy a lucrative, rewarding, and interesting future as a registered holistic nutritionist.
