Meet Theresa Hedrick, MS, RD, LD, who has found success in her career by opening her own private practice just one year ago. She’s doing what she loves and has control over her job. All the while continuing to hustle and excel in her field. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I was (and still am) fascinated by how the human body works. I figured if I picked a job that related to that, I’d always enjoy what I did for a living.

Your Job Title?
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Private Practice

Company you are with now?
My own! I started a private practice about a year ago.

Website:

Hedricknutrition.com

Social Media:

Twitter:@howfoodworks

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
It varies, but it generally involves: seeing clients, talking to insurance companies, figuring out how to do something I suddenly realized I needed to learn. (Hopefully that last bit gets better as I get more experience owning my own business.)

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
I started my private practice because I knew I had a lot of knowledge to share and wanted to work with a specific type of patient. I also wanted to be able to control my schedule. While I created the role for myself, I had to do a lot of networking with other healthcare professionals for referrals. I also had to learn about accepting insurance, website SEO, and a whole host of other things to help my ideal client find me.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I am naturally good at explaining scientific concepts in a way that is easy for everyone to understand. And human anatomy and physiology just make sense to me. I’ve had to learn things like marketing, accounting, etc.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you
Success and fulfillment come from within. There are a lot of days that I don’t feel like I’m either of those. But, if I step back and think about it, I’m doing what I love and am relatively in control of what my life looks like, which is pretty incredible.

So, my advice is to not compare your success to that of others – success looks different for everyone. And don’t wait for the epiphany that tells you you’ve made it – it’s probably not going to happen. Instead, focus on appreciating the small moments of joy each day, and remind yourself that you’re probably already successful.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?
If I’m honest, my initial thought was “with fine wine, aged cheese and 100% Kona coffee.” I’m not even hungry; I just think it would be awesome if rare expensive indulgences became part of my everyday life. I would also readily accept a beachfront home in Maui – probably should have asked for that first.