The Dietitian Success Podcast | Business & Marketing for Dietitians

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Sandra Kilmartin, RD and founder of No Sweat Nutrition in Squamish, BC - to unpack how she went from “I never pictured myself as an entrepreneur” to full-time private practice owner and now team lead. Sandra shares how her niche found her (trail + ultrarunning), what finally gave her the confidence to leave her hospital role, and how she’s growing a local, athlete-focused business the smart way.

Inside, we cover:

• The moment Sandra decided to bet on her practice (and why no decision has to be permanent)
• Choosing and deepening a niche: endurance athletes to trail/ultrarunning, without excluding other sports
• What’s working for local marketing: an SEO heavy website, community talks, running store partnerships, and referrals with coaches/physios/MDs
• How she’s building ED-informed competency (training & weekly supervision) to better serve athlete clients
• Her move from solo to team: hiring contractors, mentoring RDs, and keeping care consistent while she travels
• Time + ops: CEO Mondays, client days Tues–Fri, and simple systems that prevent weekend overwhelm
• Ideas in the pipeline: an ultra race-day nutrition planner, webinars, and future cohort programs (think “Vancouver Marathon prep”)

Whether you’re running a province/state-based practice or dreaming up a sports niche, this convo is packed with practical, repeatable strategies to grow - without burning out.

Links: 

• Check out the *NEW* Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians 
• Follow Sandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nosweatnutrition/ 
• Check out Sandra's website: https://nosweatnutrition.ca/
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Kim Tirapelle, RD, CSSD, founder of Active Bariatric Nutrition, to talk about how she transformed her one-on-one private practice into a scalable group program — Bariatric Strong.

Kim has built an incredibly successful business by combining two highly specialized areas of expertise: bariatric nutrition and sports nutrition. In this conversation, she shares how she found her niche, grew her business through podcasting (her top referral source!), and launched her first group program designed to help post-bariatric clients build strength, muscle, and confidence.

Inside, we cover:

• How Kim combined bariatric and sports nutrition to create a truly unique niche
• The mindset shift that helped her stop doing one-off sessions and start selling high-value packages
• How podcasting became her #1 marketing channel (and why she doesn’t rely on Instagram reels)
• What it really looks like to build and launch your first group program from scratch
• Lessons learned from her first launch — including metrics, mindset, and what she’s changing next time
• How she’s using her data to prepare for future launches and build toward a membership model

Whether you’re thinking about launching your first program, scaling your private practice, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how a fellow dietitian entrepreneur built something truly sustainable — this episode is a must-listen.

Links: 

• Check out the *NEW* Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians  
• Follow Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activebariatric/  
• Check out the Active Bariatric Nutrition Podcast: https://activebariatricnutrition.com/podcast/ 
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with Krista, your host (@kristako.rd) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Sara Griffin, MS, RD, CNSC — founder of Edge Clinical Nutrition — to talk about how she’s grown her business from a small side hustle into a thriving, six-figure company.

Sara’s story is packed with transparency, strategy, and tangible takeaways for every entrepreneur. Over the last year, she’s tripled her business revenue selling online courses and study guides — and she shares exactly how she did it.

Inside, we cover:

• The key business and marketing shifts that took Sara from ~$30K to ~$100K in annual revenue
• How switching tech platforms (and finally building an email funnel) completely changed the game
• How SEO, ChatGPT, and even Reddit and Facebook groups are driving new customers to her business
• Her strategy for showing up authentically on Instagram and LinkedIn without feeling “salesy”
• The real-world schedule of a 24-hour-per-week, six-figure entrepreneur
• Why showing up at in-person conferences is unlocking a whole new level of growth

This conversation is a masterclass in what’s possible when you combine a strong niche, smart systems, and consistent marketing. Whether you’re a course creator, private practice RD, or consultant, you’ll walk away with ideas to scale your impact — and your income — in 2026 and beyond.

Links: 

• Check out the *NEW* Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians 
• Follow Sara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgeclinicalnutrition/
• Check out Sara's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@edgeclinicalnutrition
• Check out Sara's CNSC Study Guide: https://edgenutrition.mykajabi.com/cnsc-study-guide 
• Check out Sara's Nutrition Support Course: https://edgenutrition.mykajabi.com/nutrition-support-course-dietitian 
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/

Thinking about taking maternity leave, a sabbatical, or any kind of extended time off from your business? In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I’m walking you through exactly how I’m planning for my second maternity leave—plus what I’ve learned from the first time around.

Whether you run a membership, course, private practice, or consulting business, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to keep things running without burning out (or shutting everything down). I’ll also share how you can make this work even if you don’t have a team.

Inside, I’ll answer:

• How does my business model function, and what does my team do?
• How can dietitians with different business models (private practice, consulting, membership, course) approach extended leave?
• What felt the most overwhelming about planning for leave, and how did I work through it?
• How do you actually keep a business running while you’re not there?
• What does the pre-planning process and timeline look like?
• How am I personally planning to unplug, and what boundaries am I setting while I’m off?
• What’s one piece of advice I wish someone had told me before my first maternity leave as a business owner?

This episode is here to remind you that there’s no “one right way” to do maternity leave (or any leave). The right way is whatever works for you, your family, and your business.

Special Link:
📋 Share your input for our upcoming Entrepreneurship Membership Tier: Entrepreneurship Feedback & Needs Assessment

Links:
Join our FREE Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

Become a member today: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/pricing

Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/

Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/

What does marketing for dietitians look like in 2025 (and beyond) and where should you be focusing your energy for the future?

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I sit down with Ana Reisdorf, RD and founder of the RD's Who Thrive Facebook group, to break down the real trends we’re seeing across the industry. From social media growth (yes, it’s still possible - we've DOUBLED our Instagram followers in the past few months and I want to tell you exactly how) to SEO shifts, AI, and old-school referrals, we cover it all.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• The strategies that are actually working for dietitians right now
• How to apply “if you know, you know” content to your marketing
• How to talk about benefits vs. features in your marketing
• Why word of mouth will never go out of style
• The role of websites, SEO/AEO, email, and podcasts in the 2026 marketing landscape

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you’re “doing marketing wrong,” this episode is your permission slip to rethink what’s possible.

Links:

• Fill in our DSC Entrepreneurship Membership - Re-Launch Survey
• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Become a Practitioner Member
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram

In this short and honest solo episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I’m sharing why this podcast is going on a hiatus for a little while.

I talk through what’s been going on behind the scenes and why I’m choosing to focus my energy elsewhere.

If you’ve been a loyal listener - thank you, thank you, thank you. This podcast has been a huge part of how DSC has grown, and I’m so grateful for your support.

Links:

• Join our FREE dietitian community
• Become a Practitioner Member
• Reach out on Instagram @kristako.rd

Transcript Summary:

[00:00:00] Welcome 

[00:02:30] A Whirlwind Season of Life

[00:06:15] When Something Has to Give

[00:09:45] Re-Focusing on the Practitioner Membership

[00:13:20] Reflections on Growth, Space, and Strategy

[00:17:30] If You’re Feeling the Same Way…

[00:20:10] What’s Next + Staying in the Loop

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
• 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

Join our FREE dietitian community

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

Join our FREE dietitian community

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

Join our FREE dietitian community

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