Christy Venter started HealthyMe Living

What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

As a Certified Health Coach and mother of two girls, I’ve always tried to be aware of what I was eating and feeding my kids. I’d often be out and about with the kids when hunger would strike and was disappointed with the options available. I’d try to have a snack handy, but I’d often forget to replenish it and have nothing available. I longed for a quick and easy healthy snack while on the go for those moments when I was unprepared.

One day during a visit to my daughter’s district high school, I noticed the students’ options. It was once again the food that I’d HAVE to resort to when I was out. Why couldn’t the healthier packaged snacks I had at home be just as readily available as the packaged snacks I could easily get my hands on?

I spoke to the District Food Director and asked about a healthy vending machine as an option. He said I could put one in the cafeteria. Except I knew nothing about vending. I researched and read all about it and purchased a machine for the local high school. Then I thought I should put one in the middle school as well. The machine at the high school was so popular that I needed to put another machine in the building.

​As time went on, I was asked by people if I’d put one in their office or fitness studio. Before I knew it, I had a healthy vending business that was thriving. The problem was, I was getting requests from outside of my area. I wanted to be able to offer the same services in a larger capacity. That is where the healthy snack box idea came from.

I now ship healthy snacks throughout the US and Canada, and I love making healthier options more available so that others don’t have the problem finding healthier options like I once did.

Describe the process of launching the business.

As a Certified Holistic Healthy Coach, I created a business for one-to-one health coaching services. It then evolved into the healthy vending business which then evolved into the healthy snack business. It’s been quite a ride and I love seeing the evolution of the business and hope it keeps evolving and growing.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Constantly finding new snacks and healthy options to share and having the best customer service I can provide. I respond to customers as fast as I can and am researching new food companies all the time.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I’m so excited for the future. I have so many ideas that I need to reign myself in sometimes. I want to share healthier options with everyone and help however I can.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

There is always room for improvement. This goes for your business and your health. There’s no such thing as perfection so you just keep trying to make steps in the right direction.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

I had been using Wix but am starting to switch over to WordPress and researching new tools.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

Marie Forleo books/podcast, Facebook groups, Slack communities, SUBTA, New Hope Network

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

Be flexible. Not everything goes as planned and sometimes that ends up being a good thing. I never expected to own a vending business or later on a snack box business.

Where can we go to learn more?

www.healthymeliving.com