Meet Jessica Jones, MS, RD, CDE, who has worked in many different settings including inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory care, community, private practice, and media. She’s found her passion being an entrepreneur and has turned her side hustle into her full-time, satisfying career. Jessica shares her career path and discusses how following her gut, having a plan, and staying focused and determined helped her live her dream life. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I liked the idea of being able to help people and eventually be my own boss. Being an entrepreneur was always the end goal for me.

Your Job Title?
Founder, Jessica Jones Nutrition | Co-founder Food Heaven

Company you are with now?
I am the founder of my private practice and consulting business, Jessica Jones Nutrition. I’m also the co-founder of Food Heaven, a multimedia wellness platform and podcast.

Website:

jessicajonesnutrition.com and foodheavenmadeeasy.com

Social Media:

Instagram: @foodheaven

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
I know it’s cliche, but every day is different. Mondays I’m usually planning for the week, which means ordering food for recipe testing or photography. It also means potentially talking with brands about partnerships or recording podcasts ads for the upcoming episode. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I usually see clients OR shoot content for our online platform or social media accounts. On Thursdays and Fridays, I may be doing dietitian supervision, recording a podcast episode, writing a freelance article or blog post, filming a TV segment or participating in a webinar. With covid, traveling has come to a halt. But before the shutdown, I would host/attend at least 1-2 in-person events per month.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
I started Food Heaven a decade ago, before I even officially became a dietitian (while I was still finishing up grad school). I started Jessica Jones Nutrition in 2016, but stopped doing the counseling for a year or two when my schedule got too hectic. For years, I worked a full-time job while doing my side businesses. Then in 2017, I moved to a part time outpatient job, where I was working 50% FTE (with full benefits, which was amazing). In July of 2019 I was able to quit my part time job as an outpatient dietitian and start working for myself full time. I have worked in inpatient, community, outpatient, and ambulatory care.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I was born with entrepreneurial and writing skills. I had to learn science, food photography and, to a certain extent, public speaking.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Stick with it! It took me foreverrr to get to work for myself full time but it’s 1000% worth it! Also, do what makes YOU happy. All of my jobs were great, and I sometimes second guessed my desire to ultimately work for myself. I would think: if other people were happy staying at those jobs long term, why couldn't I be? Don’t do that. Follow your gut (and your heart)! We’re all different and what makes someone happy won’t necessarily make you happy.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
Plants!