7 insider tips to launch a wellness business

In 2008, I launched Motion Infusion. Since that time, I've had many people reach out to me asking me how to get started.

Here are my top 7 insider tips to launch your workplace wellness business.
 
1. Go deep. What makes you uniquely qualified to make a dent on lifestyle-driven healthcare crisis, leveraging the workplace? What kinds of stories can you offer? What are unlikely skills and perspectives that you bring, that no one else does? What's your secret sauce? For me, it's my teaching background that has served as the foundation for my unique angle within the field.
 
2. Get multiple perspectives. The more you can learn from others, the better - both in terms of content but more importantly, in terms of helping you to shape what you are going to actually offer. Here are a couple of good ones coming up:

Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference is great - and is right around the corner (April 20-24, 2020). I actually got started with this very conference (as an attendee). You get to hear from a lot of different thought leaders, you get to network, and you get a better sense of the points of debate within the field. On April 20 and 21, 2020, I will be leading a two-day pre-conference intensive workshop there called "Activating Managers Boot Camp: Leveraging Key Influencers to Create a Multiplier Effect." You'll learn how you can activate managers to become Multipliers of Well-Being. 

Click here to register!
 
If you’re looking for an online training, you might consider Jen Arnold's upcoming Redesigning Wellness Academy. I'll be speaking on the topic of "Activating Managers" on January 30, 2020. 

Click here to register!

3. Pick a name. What's a name that's fun and conducive to you sharing your unique story? Then, do your research. Has the name been taken? Can you trademark it? How will it resonate with others? 
 
4. Look at what others have done. What are companies or individuals you’d like to emulate? 
 
5. Look for opportunities to strategically align. This is where networking can be really useful. Look for other startups or even more established vendors that you can align with. For example, what about teaming up with a company that provides onsite fitness programs? Strategic partnerships have been one of the top ways that I have levered up Motion Infusion. This can also be a great way to get into more organizations. 
 
6. Pick one thing and offer it for free. For example, you could develop one lunch n learn  and then try it out. Instead of trying to sell it right of the gate, you could offer for free. You could reach out to nonprofits like Dress for Success or American Heart Association. This is how I got started.

7. Document along the way. Make sure that you have something to show for the hard work you've put in. Take pictures, get video footage and ask for a testimonial. All of these are really really valuable for marketing purposes. 

Ultimately, there is no "right" way to get started; there is no "formula." Rather, you have to uncover what's going to work for you - and what will land with others. I always liken the process of growing Motion Infusion to the metaphor of throwing spaghetti against the wall (try lots of different things) - and then see what sticks (in other words, adapt).

You've got this. Now, get started. The world needs your unique perspectives and talents.

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laura putnam

Laura Putnam is a leading catalyst for well-being at work, an international public speaker, and author of Workplace Wellness That Works. As CEO of Motion Infusion and creator of the leadership training program Managers on the Move, she infuses well-being into the workplace to help employees, teams and organizations thrive. You can follow her on Twitter @MotionInfusion.