Creating a Merchandise Product as a Dietitian

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Nicole Groman, MS, RDN, as Nicole shares her journey from starting a private practice to launching a line of anti-diet merchandise that resonates with both clients and professionals. You'll hear about the ups and downs of selling merchandise, the creative process behind Nicole's designs, and how a product line supports her business mission.   Whether you're just starting out or growing your brand, this episode is full of inspiration for turning your passion into creative offers that make an impact. Get ready to be inspired by Nicole's story to grow your business in a meaningful way. Journey to Becoming a Dietitian: Nicole shares her background in psychology, her lived experience with healing from disordered eating, and her transition into private practice. Development of Private Practice and Merchandise Line: Nicole outlines her journey from starting a private practice to launching a merchandise line. Success at Conferences and Expos: Nicole shares her experiences and successes at FNCE and what she would have done differently. Marketing Challenges: Nicole talks about how marketing merchandise can be challenging, but integrating a product line into other business offers and promotions has worked well.   Timestamps:  03:23  Nicole's Journey: Nicole shares her transition from psychology major to dietetics, highlighting her personal struggles with food. 05:15 Starting a Merchandise Line: Nicole explains the initial idea for her merchandise, starting with a simple design that gained traction on social media. 06:51 Initial Challenges: Nicole discusses the logistical challenges of handling production herself, leading to a temporary pause of the merchandise line. 10:06 Revamp and Success: Nicole talks about revamping her merchandise line, leading to success at FNCE in 2022 and 2023. 16:17 Marketing Challenges: The hardest part of selling merchandise is marketing, as Nicole balances multiple business offers and different ideal clients. 20:10 Future Plans: Nicole shares excitement for new designs and products, discussing strategies to engage her audience for feedback on colors and styles. 25:20 Creative Process: Nicole talks about her creative process and hopes for the merchandise line to grow and reach more people. Nicole's journey shows how blending creativity with purpose can turn an idea into a meaningful and successful extension of your brand.   Nicole is a Registered Dietitian with close to 10 years of experience helping individuals heal their relationships with food and their bodies. Her own history working towards intuitive eating has shaped her compassionate, non-diet approach to nutrition.  Nicole believes that all foods can fit into a balanced and fulfilling life, and she empowers her clients to let go of dieting and find peace with food through one to one counseling and group programs. She shares her intuitive eating philosophy and practical tips for a sustainable relationship with food with her community on Instagram @thehungryclementine and has created an apparel line of merchandise that celebrates and encourages breaking free from dieting for good. Want more from Nicole?  View her merchandise!  Visit her website  Check out her Eat, Chat, Love Community    Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner.   Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/   Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us   Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast