In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Shawna Melbourn, RD, CEDS-C, a certified intuitive eating counselor, eating disorder specialist, and creator of ED for RDs, to talk about her journey as a dietitian and business owner. 

We dive into:

• How she learned about eating disorder care (and the mistakes she made along the way!)
• Why she decided to create a course to educate other RDs on eating disorder care
• The mixed emotions that come with running a business
• Which marketing channels have worked best for her 

This one’s a must-listen for any RD thinking about working in eating disorder care, niching, scaling, or building a business that feels sustainable.

Links:

• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Subscribe to the Business for Dietitians Newsletter
• ED for RDs 
• Follow ED for RDs on Instagram
• Follow Shawna on Facebook
• Follow Shawna on LinkedIn

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction to Shawna Melbourn

[00:02:30] Shawna’s Path from Hospital to Entrepreneurship

[00:05:30] Burnout, Boundaries & Business Lessons

[00:09:30] Building a Team & Delegating with Intention

[00:13:00] Her Marketing Strategy

[00:16:30] Being a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

[00:20:00] Sustainability in Eating Disorder Practice

[00:24:00] Advice for RDs Interested in ED Work

[00:28:00] What’s Next for Shawna

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I’m giving you a totally honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to run a membership or online program in the dietitian business world. I talk through the lessons I’ve learned from running Dietitian Success Center for the past few years, what I wish I had known going in, what I've seen work for other dietitian entrepreneurs, and the real talk on things like boundaries, business model pros and cons, and customer retention.

Whether you’re thinking about launching your own scalable offer or just curious what it takes to grow something like this, this episode gives you the full picture.

Inside the episode, we'll chat about:

• What people don’t tell you about running a membership
• What I wish I knew earlier about scaling
• Whether this model might work for your goals
• Tips for building recurring revenue in a way that feels aligned

Links:

• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Subscribe to the Business for Dietitians Newsletter

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Today’s Topic

[00:02:00] What Makes the Membership Model So Appealing?

[00:05:00] The Reality Check: It’s Not Passive

[00:08:00] Burnout & Boundaries

[00:12:00] What I Wish I Knew Before Starting

[00:15:00] Membership vs. Online Course vs. Group Program

[00:20:00] The Importance of Clarity and Direction

[00:24:00] Building a Team + Sustainability

[00:28:00] Signs You Might Be Ready for a Scalable Model

[00:32:00] Final Thoughts + Encouragement

Group programs can feel like the golden ticket to scaling your business - less time, more income, more impact. But how do you know if and when it's the right next step for you?

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I break down everything dietitian business owners need to know about a group offer - the pros, the challenges, and what needs to be in place before you launch.

Whether you’re dreaming about your first group program or wondering how to shift away from 1:1s, we’ll walk through what to consider, how to position your offer, and creative ways to structure pricing and delivery. Plus: I answer your real-time questions on pricing, live sessions, and blending insurance into your model.

Inside the episode, we'll chat about:

1. The benefits and challenges of running a group program
2. What needs to be in place before you launch
3. Whether you can skip 1:1 and go straight into groups
4. How to build your audience and price your program in a way that actually works

Links:

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Subscribe to the Business for Dietitians Newsletter

Podcast Summary

[00:00:00] Welcome + Free Resources at DSC

[00:01:30] Why I’m Talking About Group Programs

[00:03:00] What Is a Group Program, Exactly?

[00:06:00] Island A to Island B: Designing with Outcomes in Mind

[00:08:00] Pros of Group Programs

[00:10:00] Cons of Group Programs (and Why They Flop)

[00:13:00] The Basil, Carrot, Apple Analogy

[00:17:00] Do You Need an Email List? Yes—Here’s Why

[00:19:00] Real Example: Two DSC Members Who Skipped 1:1

[00:21:00] What Makes Someone Ready to Launch a Group Program?

[00:24:00] Community Questions: Insurance & Group Programs

[00:25:00] Hybrid Programs: Group + 1:1 Add-On

[00:27:00] When You Might Want to Wait

[00:29:00] Are Live Sessions Necessary?

[00:32:00] How to Price Your Group Program

[00:35:00] Final Thoughts + Getting Started

Ever look at your brand and wonder if it still feels like you? Or maybe you’re just starting out and feeling overwhelmed about what a "brand" even really means?

In today’s episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on the branding journey behind Dietitian Success Center - the good, the bad, and the (according to my dad) ugly. We’re talking about what branding actually is (spoiler: it’s more than colors and logos), how to know when it’s time for a refresh, and the exact steps to evolve your brand without getting stuck in shiny object syndrome.

Whether you’re building a business from scratch or feeling like your brand needs to grow with you, this episode has realistic, action-focused advice to help you move forward.

Inside the episode, we'll talk about:

1. The difference between tangible and intangible brand elements
2. How DSC’s brand has evolved over the years (and why)
3. When to invest in professional support vs. DIY it yourself
4. Why branding won’t solve a sales or marketing problem
5. The exact steps to create a brand you feel proud of

Links:

• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Subscribe to the Business for Dietitians Newsletter

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Community Updates

[00:04:00] Why We’re Talking About Branding

[00:06:00] Defining Branding: Tangible vs. Intangible

[00:08:00] The Early Days: DIY Branding Mistakes and Lessons

[00:12:00] Evolving the Brand: When and Why We Changed

[00:20:00] How to Know If It’s Time for a Brand Refresh

[00:28:00] DIY vs. Professional Support: When to Hire Help

[00:34:00] How to Start a Brand (or Refresh One) Step-by-Step

• Step 1: Get clear on your target audience
• Step 2: Define 3–5 brand adjectives
• Step 3: Look externally for inspiration (Pinterest, Instagram)
• Step 4: Build it yourself or hire support

[00:42:00] Final Thoughts on Branding & Growth

We’ve all been there...wondering if we need to go viral or hit 10k followers before we can really grow our businesses. But the truth is: you don’t need a big audience to make real impact (and real sales).

In this episode, I sit down with Libby Rothschild, founder of Dietitian Boss, to talk about the difference between audience size and business strategy. We dive into why having thousands of followers isn’t necessary for growth, and what actually drives sales in a nutrition business, especially when you’re just starting out.

We cover:

• How to shift your mindset around follower count
• Why strategy beats tactics every time
• The importance of clarity in your message and ideal client
• What metrics really matter (spoiler: it’s not likes or follows)
• How to build trust and authority with even a small audience

Whether you’ve got 50 followers or 5,000, this episode will help you feel confident in your ability to make an impact and grow your business.

Links:

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Book your FREE Business Strategy Call today (open to starting, growing or scaling dietitian business owners)
3. Follow The Dietitian Boss on Instagram 
4. Check out The Dietitian Boss Library here 

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Can You Make Sales With a Small Audience? 

[00:03:00] Strategy Over Tactics: What Actually Drives Sales 

[00:07:00] The Reframe: You Don’t Need to Be an Influencer to Be Successful [00:10:00] The “Perfect Offer” Trap & Why Feedback Comes First 

[00:13:00] Social Media as Part of a Larger Marketing Strategy 

[00:15:00] Why Business Skills Are Just as Important as Clinical Skills 

[00:17:00] Final Reframes & Mindset Shifts

Let's be honest - most of us were never taught how to interview or navigate a career pivot. And in today’s job market, that lack of strategy can feel extra overwhelming.

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Kelan Sarnoff, a registered dietitian turned career coach for RDs, to talk about how to build confidence during a job search, how to actually prepare for interviews (hint: it’s all about your story bank), and why LinkedIn is the most underused tool dietitians aren’t taking advantage of.

Even if you’re not job hunting, this episode is packed with insights about building a professional brand online, understanding where the field of dietetics is heading, and how to pivot with purpose.

We discuss:

1. The #1 interview mistake dietitians make (and how to avoid it)
2. Why a great resume isn’t enough to land the job
3. How to get noticed on LinkedIn (even if you never post)
4. Where dietitian jobs are growing...and where they're slowing
5. What to do now if you think you might want a new job later

Whether you’re brand new to being a dietitian, mid-career, or just curious about what’s next, this conversation will help you feel way more confident about your next move.

Links:

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Check out Kelan's website & get her free resume toolkit: therdcoach.com
3. Follow Kelan on Instagram: @the.rd.coach

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction to Kelan

[00:02:00] Kelan’s Nonlinear Career Path

[00:05:00] Starting Her Coaching Business

[00:07:00] Interview Mistakes Dietitians Often Make

[00:10:00] How to Sell Yourself in an Interview (Without Feeling Icky)

[00:13:00] What Makes a Great Interviewer Stand Out

[00:15:00] Industry Trends & What the Job Market Looks Like Right Now

[00:20:00] How to Start a Career Pivot (Before You Burn Out)

[00:25:00] Using LinkedIn to Build Visibility & Connections

[00:29:00] The Hidden Job Market on LinkedIn

[00:32:00] Behind the Scenes of Kelan’s Business & Marketing

[00:36:00] What’s Next for Kelan’s Business

[00:39:00] Where to Learn More About Kelan

If you’ve ever wondered whether starting a podcast is worth it for your business (or even if you haven't yet!), you're going to want to listen. In this episode, my friend and fellow RD, Ana Reisdorf, interviewed me for her RD's Who Thrive Facebook group, and she is graciously letting me share it on my podcasting platform, too! We talk all things podcasting and why it’s one of the most powerful (yet underused) tools dietitians can leverage to build trust, grow visibility, and bring in clients.

We dive into everything from tech setup and tools, to monetization strategies, to how I’ve stayed consistent with the Dietitian Success Podcast for over 200 episodes (and why it continues to drive business growth, even with a niche audience).

Whether you’re podcast-curious or just looking for a fresh approach to your marketing strategy, you’ll walk away with realistic, actionable insights on what it takes to get started and keep going.

Inside the episode:

1. Why podcasting builds trust in a way social media can’t
2. How to plan content without burning out
3. Tools we use to keep things efficient
4. What kind of podcast content actually converts
5. Strategies for sponsorships and monetization

If you liked this episode, make sure to rate, review, and subscribe - and share it with a fellow dietitian!

Links: 

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Book your FREE Business Strategy Call today (open to starting, growing or scaling dietitian business owners)
3. Join the RDs Who Thrive Facebook community
4. Check out Ana's Freelance Writing website
5. Check out the GLP-1 Hub
6. Follow Ana on Instagram: @active_to_passive and @GLP1Hub 

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Why We’re Talking About Podcasting

[00:02:00] Podcasting vs. Other Marketing Tools

[00:04:00] You Don’t Need a Huge Audience to Succeed

[00:07:00] Content Strategy: Where Do Ideas Come From?

[00:10:00] Streamlining the Process to Stay Consistent

[00:13:00] Calls to Action & List Building

[00:16:00] What if You Don’t Want to Sell 1:1 Services?

[00:21:00] Getting Found: How to Grow Your Podcast

[00:26:00] What Tech Tools Do You Really Need?

[00:30:00] YouTube vs. Podcast Platforms

[00:34:00] Final Thoughts on Getting Started

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Libby Rothschild, the founder of Dietitian Boss, for a real-talk, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to run a successful membership site. Both of us have years of experience in running memberships for dietitians, and we’re opening the vault to share our wins, our challenges, and the evolution of our models. 

We talk about the difference between content, coaching, and community-based memberships, how to manage churn and retention, what metrics matter most, and whether this business model is truly “passive income” (spoiler: it’s not). Plus, we dive into tech platforms like Kajabi, WordPress, and how we think about content planning and delivery.

Whether you're a dietitian thinking about launching a membership or just curious about how the model works, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and honest insights.

Links:

• Book your FREE Business Strategy Call today (open to starting, growing or scaling dietitian business owners)
• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Follow The Dietitian Boss on Instagram 
• Check out The Dietitian Boss Library here 

Transcript Summary:

[00:00] Introduction to the conversation

[01:00] What is a membership site?

[03:00] The three pillars of membership: Content, community, and coaching

[04:00] Behind the scenes at Dietitian Success Center

[07:00] Comparing monthly vs. annual memberships

[10:00] How to use member feedback to improve your offer

[12:00] Why memberships are a long game

[15:00] Understanding churn and lifetime value

[18:00] Product feedback loops & iteration

[20:00] Managing content in your membership

[25:00] How much content is too much?

[30:00] Reimagining content formats

[33:00] Onboarding and the importance of smooth exits

[34:00] Tips for dietitians thinking about starting a membership

[41:00] Tech talk: Kajabi, WordPress, and the evolving stack

[50:00] Final reflections

As dietitians, our career paths don’t have to be linear. Sometimes, walking away from something highly successful is the key to finding true fulfillment.

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDCES, who shares her journey of leaving a thriving media brand to build something that aligned more deeply with her purpose. Despite the massive success of Food Heaven, a wellness brand and podcast with over 5 million downloads, Jessica found herself craving something different, something more meaningful. That led her to co-found Diabetes Digital, a virtual nutrition counseling practice providing insurance-covered diabetes care.

In this candid chat, we dive into:

• Why success doesn’t always equal fulfillment, and how Jessica knew it was time to pivot
• The shift from media & brand partnerships to an insurance-based group practice
• The challenges & rewards of running a telehealth business
• How niching into diabetes & prediabetes transformed her career
• What it really takes to scale a group practice while staying profitable

This episode is a must-listen for any dietitian considering a career pivot or anyone curious about what it really looks like to build a business that aligns with your values.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it so please rate & review it!

Links:

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Book your FREE Business Strategy Call today (open to starting, growing or scaling dietitian business owners)
3. Diabetes Digital
4. Diabetes Digital Podcast
5. Food Heaven
6. Careers at Diabetes Digital
7. Follow Diabetes Digital on Instagram: @diabetesdigitalco

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome & Introduction & Why We’re Talking About Hiring 

[00:02:00] Jessica’s Journey: From Journalism to Dietetics 

[00:06:00] The Birth of Food Heaven: A Media Empire 

[00:10:00] Staying Consistent for Years Without Making Money 

[00:14:00] How Food Heaven Made Money: Revenue Streams 

[00:19:00] Transparency in Business: What Worked & What Didn’t 

[00:21:00] Leaving Food Heaven & The Shift to Diabetes Digital

[00:23:00] The Lightbulb Moment: Starting an Insurance-Based Practice 

[00:26:00] The Reality of Running an Insurance-Based Group Practice 

[00:32:00] The Challenges of Insurance Billing & Verification 

[00:36:00] Growth Plans for Diabetes Digital

[00:42:00] The Power of Niching: Why Specializing in Diabetes Was Key 

[00:45:00] Jessica’s Typical Day as a Business Owner

Most dietitians think they need to hit a certain revenue goal before hiring out. But what if hiring is actually the key to getting there faster?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between hiring for growth vs. hiring because of growth, and why waiting too long to bring someone in might be holding you back. I’ll share my personal hiring journey, the biggest mindset shift that helped me scale Dietitian Success Center, and practical steps for outsourcing (even if you think you can’t afford it).

If you’re juggling client work, admin, marketing, and everything in between, this episode will help you see hiring as a strategy for growth, not just an expense.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it so please rate & review it!

Links:

1. Join our FREE dietitian community
2. Book your FREE Business Strategy Call today (open to starting, growing or scaling dietitian business owners)

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Introduction & Why We’re Talking About Hiring 

[00:03:00] The Misconceptions About Hiring 

[00:05:00] Hiring for Growth vs. Hiring Because of Growth 

[00:07:00] My Hiring Journey: How I Built the DSC Team 

[00:17:00] The #1 Problem I See With Dietitian Entrepreneurs 

[00:19:00] How Hiring Creates More Revenue (Not Just More Expenses) 

[00:23:00] What Should You Outsource First? VA vs. Contractor Dietitian 

[00:28:00] The Fear of Hiring: “What If I Can’t Afford It?” 

[00:29:00] The Simple Growth Strategy Every Dietitian Should Use 

[00:30:00] Final Thoughts & Next Steps