Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Judge.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Becoming a dietitian was not on my radar until my sophomore year of college. I grew up in a rural, south Arkansas town, and never heard the word “dietitian” until I decided to change my major after feeling disconnected from the pre-med route I was on. I was passionate about giving others the resources they needed to prevent illness and live a full life, so when I learned about the role of the dietitian I knew it would align.
I graduated with a bachelor’s in food and human nutrition from the University of Arkansas then attended a 10 months internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I officially became a dietitian in 2015, worked in the government for three years, then started my private practice in 2018 part-time. Private practice wasn’t something I was drawn to originally, but I wanted a challenge and decided to give it a try.
After a few months, I decided to quit my full-time job and I worked a few odd jobs, including in-home meal prep chef and fitness instructor, as I built up my client base. In 2019, I became more confident in who I serve and built up testimonials to increase sales. 2020 was my biggest growth year, and in 2021, I have been able to double revenue from 2020 and add two more full-time dietitians to my team.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth at all. The biggest struggle I had at the start was knowing what one thing to focus on. I wasted time on things that didn’t matter, so I wasn’t making any money. When I finally learned how to focus, I began to grow. This is still something I have to remind myself of daily.
Another big struggle I’ve had is knowing when to expand my team and how to delegate. I didn’t go to business school or get any training on leading a team. I’m a clinical practitioner. This piece has been the hardest as I’ve grown more because there’s no way I can do it all without working non-stop. Creating systems and processes has been helpful for me to work through this.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gutivate is a virtual nutrition counseling practice that helps those with IBS and other digestive disorders feel confident in their bodies again. As a team of three registered dietitians, we provide courses, group programs, and individualized programs to give our clients the knowledge, tools, and support they need to control their symptoms and live their lives more fully.
What sets us apart the most is our approach. We believe in full-body, holistic care, so we look at more than just diet with our clients. We also provide more hands-on care and access versus what our clients have experienced in traditional healthcare settings.
I’m proud that we have been able to create safe spaces for those who are suffering from quality, evidence-based care.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Find one thing to focus on that you are passionate about and see it through before moving on to something else. And don’t forget to keep your clients or customers first, so you can sustain what you are building.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@judgenutrition.com
- Website: www.gutivate.com
- Instagram: @erinjudge.rd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gutivate
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX968gqwBvlSTbhh6NZkB2w
Image Credits
Ana Araujo Photography
