Melinda Benz, RDN – Founder of Melinda Benz LLC, located in Colorado

What’s your business, and who are your customers?

I’m Melinda Benz, RDN, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the owner of Melinda Benz LLC, a virtual nutrition private practice in Northern Colorado specializing in plant-based and vegan nutrition.

I work with adults who want to shift to a more plant-rich lifestyle by adding more plant foods to their diet and moving toward eating less animal-based foods.

My mission is to simplify plant-based and vegan nutrition by offering practical and reliable nutrition education while collaborating with clients on implementing personalized dietary changes so they can feel empowered to make eating plant foods more fun and fulfilling!

Explain your experience and how you use it to help clients? 

I have professional experience in an outpatient setting, primarily focusing on health promotion, providing nutrition education presentations in the community, and individual medical nutrition therapy. I am also a certified Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training Practitioner through the Mindful Eating Training Institute.

My approach to nutrition counseling is a blend of coaching and education, supporting clients with exploring any obstacles or challenges related to their nutrition and wellness goals, taking simple steps toward sustainable changes, incorporating mindful eating strategies, and finding flexibility with daily food choices.

My expertise is rooted in plant-based and vegan nutrition, so whether a client is newer to plant-rich eating, or has been vegan or vegetarian for many years, and is looking to add more plant foods to their plate, I’m here to support them!

What areas do you practice in?

Vegan & Vegetarian Nutrition and Mindful Eating

Tell us about yourself.

I started my virtual nutrition private practice to dedicate my time to plant-based and vegan nutrition and to have the freedom to create a business that honors my values and professional strengths. I have studied and experienced this way of living for many years and am excited to teach clients how a vegan lifestyle can be fun, fulfilling, and accessible!

What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I’ve learned many new skills while setting up my business, and it’s a continuous personal growth process. I built my business website, which took time and effort, but I am proud to have accomplished this project and had fun with it!

Also, I was honored to be a speaker at Colorado VegFest 2023 and look forward to future opportunities to be a speaker at vegan events!

What’s the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner? 

In my experience, being your own manager can be challenging, keeping track of all aspects of maintaining a business, holding yourself accountable to setting a weekly schedule, completing tasks in a timely manner while setting boundaries with working hours, and taking breaks.

What are the top 3 tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today?

1. Check out your local small business resources, such as Small Business Development Centers, for support as you get started.

2. Consider joining a community of entrepreneurs and business owners to network, brainstorm ideas, and help grow your business.

3. As best you can, practice self-care and a positive mindset, knowing that everyone may be at a different place in their business journey, and that’s okay!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I offer individual nutrition counseling, virtual group nutrition classes, and am available for speaking engagements. From nutrition education talks to client nutrition consultations, I bring an enthusiastic and down-to-earth approach to nutrition science. I look forward to connecting!

Book with Melinda Benz, RDN – here

Learn more about Melinda on her website: https://melindabenz.com/