Yes, that’s right! I am a failure. When I started this business, I really thought attracting clients would be easier. I thought if I spoke the truth, provided information, bucked the status quo, people would flock to me in droves. Gut health, micronutrients, food as medicine! These are truths and concepts that bring actual health to our bodies! But marketing a new business is so much harder than I thought.
I developed my website to look like I have a professional team working to bring you this information. I spent (too much) money for online marketing campaigns to get the word out about my new business. I printed brochures that I have never used and are now outdated. I’m an introvert, and I had to stretch myself to start making connections quickly.
Yes, I wanted my site to look very professional to bring some clout to my business ideas. Apparently, it worked, because I get offers for things that my small company of one does not need. Do I need help with workflow? Nope. Do I need help with inventory management? Nope. Do I need help with payroll? Ha, nope. Human resources? Nope!
I was blessed with a pharmacy intern to write a few blog articles for a couple of months, but otherwise, it is just me. My graphic designer husband created my logo, but I have done everything else. It has been a lot of work. Many hours researching blog articles, educating myself on website design, creating social media content, and creating YouTube educational videos.
I really thought it would be easier!
So, yes, if you measure success by turning a profit, I have failed. PIVOT Integrative Consulting, LLC has never turned a profit. I have never had a paying client. Does that mean I’m throwing in the towel? Closing shop? Quitting?
Hell no!
I just learned to use a different measurement. I look at all the things I have learned since starting a business. I can do website design. I can create social media posts. I can write blog articles. I can create educational YouTube videos (I even recently discovered how to add music at the beginning and end…yay!). I can do so many things, now! Things I could never have dreamed of just two years ago.
I look at where my life was before I started PIVOT. If you read my post “Dark Days”, you will realize that when I started this business, I was in a very low place. I was very depressed and desperate. I used creating a business to pull me out of the depths of depression and have something else to focus on. Something outside of myself.
I started using Functional Medicine concepts to heal my body, mind, and spirit. I started using food as medicine in my own life. The systemic inflammation that plagued me for decades is finally gone (or significantly diminished), and I feel so much better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have used this information to educate others on gut health, adaptogens, micronutrients, and using food as medicine to heal the body.
Since starting PIVOT, I was able to get a new job and get out of corporate retail pharmacy, so I can bring this information to a new group of people. I have shared this information with many of my new coworkers and patients and they have seen some amazing results. I know these things work.
I know that most people have created or worsened their health because of the foods they choose to eat, and that food has the power to reverse poor health. I know that throwing another prescription medication at the symptoms is not the answer. I know that gut health is key to all other health. I know that medications cause micronutrient depletions that increase the risk for side effects (and more medications to treat those side effects). I know these things to be true.
So, will I quit?
NO! But I can make small pivots for PIVOT and focus more on the education side of my business and less on trying to “get clients”. I enjoy bringing information to people. I am a born educator and it’s what I love to do! So, as this year progresses, I will work on bringing more information and education to you!
Thank you to everyone who has supported me even though I “failed” at my initial concept. Failure is always an option, but failing forward is progress.
“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” ~ Henry Ford
Are you ready to PIVOT to functional health and wellness?