Today we have Lisa Nelson joining us. Lisa runs eNutritionServices, a business that aims to help people take control of their health. Not only is she a work at home mom, she also offers a service that many of us could use!

1. What is your business?

eNutritionServices helps you make small changes that lead to long term weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure control. Professional nutrition education and coaching provided by your own personal registered dietitian.

2. How did you get started?

This whole idea to start a business came in a roundabout way. I was not actively seeking to work, but I was toying with the idea. I left a great position with a state health department at a time that I wanted to stay home and care for my daughter. While being able to stay home with my daughter is a blessing, I found that I wasn’t satisfied and missed being part of the working world. I came across a site that provided nutrition advice via phone that got me thinking. I did not start with a big plan. I just wanted to keep my foot in the nutrition door and maintain my sanity while caring for a soon-to-be two year-old.!

My business evolved gradually. If I had thought about what I was trying to tackle at the beginning I would have been overwhelmed and afraid of failure. Taking on a little at a time was much less stressful and has worked well.

3. What mistakes did you make when you were starting out? What did you learn from them?

Hmmm. . . . .I cannot really say I made mistakes. My biggest learning curve has been marketing, something I knew very little about prior to starting this venture. My business has benefited as my marketing knowledge has improved. I have learned that the traditional routes (MD’s and health clubs) are not necessarily the best ways to market my services. I am turning more to publishing articles, participating in social networking services, search engine optimization, and launching my own ezine. Also, switching to core programs has allowed me to niche my services so potential clients can better understand what I can do for them.

4. How long have you been working from home? (was this your first business or have you had others where you worked from home?)

This is my first business. I have been working from home since July 2007 – coming up on 1 year this summer!

5. What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?

This is one juggling act that does not end. I am able to do a little work almost everyday. Usually a couple hours in the morning while my oldest daughter plays and a couple hours in the afternoon during naptime. I enjoy taking a break mid-day to play with the girls and get outside. I find this break actually benefits the work I do. My best ideas seem to pop up randomly when I am doing something else (then I am in a mad rush to get them wrote down before I forget)! I have found the days I do not make time for a break to be less productive. The girls need mommy time and I need downtime to get rejuvenated. I try to remember that the reason I choose not to work outside the home was so I would have more time with my family. Spending hours sitting at a computer was not the goal!

6. How many children do you have? How old are they?

I have two little girls. Katelyn is 2 ½ years-old and Keira is 4 ½ months-old. If you can do the math I was about 6 months pregnant when I got the idea to start my own business. Maybe I should thank the pregnancy hormones for the crazy turn my life has taken!

7. When do you usually work?

I usually work on a laptop computer from my kitchen counter. I had to give up my half of my daughter’s room, which I previously used as an office, when baby number 2 came along. One of these days we will get around to moving to a larger home. . . . . .

8. What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?

Deciding what I do. If I do not want to work in a certain area I do not have to. For example, I am focusing on the areas I am especially interested in – weight loss and heart health. I am able to develop my own programs that I feel will benefit clients the most.

The worst is the juggling act – family versus work.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

This May I launched an ezine – The Heart of Health. I will be using this as my main marketing tool from here on out. I will be sharing with readers a little about what is going on in my life, an article related to cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight loss, and program highlights. I am really excited about starting this ezine and the regular interaction with individuals that are looking for nutrition help. If you are interested in subscribing, go to http://eNutritionServices.com/ezine.html.

I also just released a new program – Lower Cholesterol Levels 2.0. I am very pleased with this program. It will take clients step-by-step through the changes necessary to lower their cholesterol levels. I almost have the updated blood pressure program ready for release this June.

10. What advice would you give new work at home moms?

Patience and Passion. Make sure what you are doing is something you believe in and will make you happy whether you make a substantial income or not, because most likely things will be pretty dismal on the income side for awhile! Be ready to learn more about marketing than you ever dreamed and remain patient that your hard work will pay off. Good luck!