Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Barkan.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) at the age of 16, 1 month before my junior prom. I was a typical teenager with a typical teenager diet, consisting of candy, soda, and other junk food. One of the first medical professionals I met was a Registered Dietitian. I remember her giving me a piece of paper which included a list of foods that I was instructed to never eat again. Upon first glance, I recognized many of the staples in my diet were on the list. I left her office feeling deflated, singled out, and angry. I didn’t want to be different or eat differently than my friends. A few years later, in college, I took a few nutrition classes and realized that as I learned more about food and nutrition, the better able I was to manage my own blood sugars and take back control over diabetes. Once I recognized the impact nutrition had on my overall health and wellness, I knew I wanted to help others in the same way. I graduated with a degree in nutrition, completed a dietetic internship and passed the registration exam, went back to graduate school to study sports nutrition, and accepted my first job as a Registered Dietitian in a private practice. 25 years later, I now have my own practice and still love to provide nutrition counseling for those wanting to improve their disease management, weight and body composition, sports performance, or overall health and wellness.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My first position as a Registered Dietitian was with a private practice in Atlanta. They gave me the opportunity to build my own clientele, which was daunting and overwhelming in the beginning. I was a young 20-something year old new graduate and could not foresee that 10 years later, I would have a booming practice based mostly on word of mouth referrals. It was at that time we found out we were moving back to Virginia and I was faced with starting all over from scratch. I worked in a few clinical roles while I continued providing nutrition counseling virtually for my private practice clients. I recognized immediately that I wanted to work with a population who was motivated to learn and make changes, rather than forcing the education onto patients who weren’t interested. The decision to open Lauren Barkan Nutrition Counseling became obvious after a group of executives running a hospital system decided that Registered Dietitians were not valuable resources and canceled their entire nutrition program. I am not a businesswoman by trade, and have made many mistakes along the way, but I am learning more every year and am happy to be able to do what I love
Starting out as a young 20-something dietitian at a private practice in Atlanta, the idea of building a client base from the ground up felt overwhelming. However, over the next decade, that uncertainty grew into a booming practice built almost entirely on word-of-mouth referrals and strong relationships with clients and other health providers.
When a move back to Virginia required stepping away from that established practice, the challenge was starting completely from scratch, so I accepted a role as a clinical dietitian. After a few years, I recognized that true job satisfaction came from working with people who were genuinely motivated to make lasting lifestyle changes, rather than trying to force education on disinterested hospital patients. When hospital executives abruptly shut down the entire nutrition program, declaring dietitians non-essential, I took the opportunity to launch Lauren Barkan Nutrition Counseling.
Building a business from scratch without a formal background in business and entrepreneurship came with a steep learning curve. Overcoming those early hurdles and learning how to efficiently and effectively streamline scheduling, patient communications, and physician outreach, turned those obstacles into valuable systems. Looking back now, I can honestly (and proudly) say that every mistake and hurdle I faced over the past 3+ years has made running a thriving, independent practice all the more rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I offer nutrition education and counseling to individuals looking to improve their overall health and wellness, including weight management, disease management, sports performance, and more. As a person living with diabetes, I understand the day to day struggles and frustrations of managing a chronic disease. I pride myself on my ability to relate and communicate with my clients which results in an open and flexible partnership. My focus is to teach the “why” behind my recommendations so that my clients can take charge of their long term health and weight goals. I tell each of my clients that I am not here to tell them what they can’t eat, rather how to incorporate foods they WANT to eat while still working toward their goals.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Anyone who knows me would say that I am generally NOT a risk taker! However, accepting my first job out of school that required me to build my own practice from the ground up felt like a massive leap of faith! My success over 10 years in that position gave me the confidence to do it again many years later, but in a new city. After my clinical role abruptly ended, I considered finding a similar position that would provide me with security and predictability, as I knew that building something entirely my own meant embracing uncertainty every single day. I wasn’t sure I could handle the pressure and stress of managing a business and establishing a stable client and referral base. With the support of friends and family, I decided to go for it and establish a practice centered entirely on authentic, personalized care. I am so grateful I did!
Pricing:
- I am credentialed with most major insurance companies (if located in Virginia)
- Most insurance companies will cover nutrition counseling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenbarkannutrition.com
- Instagram: @lbnutritioncoach
