#GIRLCRUSH - Molly Cutler
Tell us about yourself and your business!
My name is Molly Cutler and I go by the name Molly Cutler Health on social media. I am a certified holistic health & nutrition coach originally from Los Angeles and currently living in Tel Aviv. I own a health & nutrition coaching practice in which I coach clients around the world to help them define, act on and sustain their intentions around health and wellness.
I have a degenerative neuromuscular disease that significantly weakens my hands, legs, and feet. It has been a challenging, yet growth-enhancing process learning to decode my body’s signals, what it’s trying to tell me and what it needs (which is often changing). This experience has given me a unique drive and passion to help others figure out what they need to feel their best, most vibrant selves.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Navigating the ups and downs of my disability has given me a deep sense of what it means to have individual needs that stray from the mainstream when it comes to optimal health. I started Molly Cutler Health because I am passionate about helping others live an excellent quality life full of energy, positivity, and self-love. With the strong understanding that we don’t have control over what may or may not happen to us tomorrow, next year or many years down the line, it is my goal to help people understand that they do have control over their actions today. Helping people understand that they can have control over the way they feel is incredibly empowering.
Is this your full-time job?
Until recently I served as VP, Marketing at a boutique tech PR firm while simultaneously building Molly Cutler Health and my clientele. I finally went full time with my practice about a month ago and haven’t looked back!
How do you structure your days?
I wake up early, taking five to ten minutes to do a guided meditation (this doesn’t happen every day, but I try) followed by sipping water and eating breakfast. From there, the day is young! I divide my day in chunks to keep myself on track since working for yourself can lend itself to plenty of distraction. I take about an hour in the morning to check emails, follow up with leads and clients, and engage on social media. Then it’s off to a co-working space or coffee shop for a few hours where I either meet with other influencers, strategize content, produce marketing collateral or cultivate collaborations. The last few hours of the day and early evening are reserved for my lovely clients who I either meet in person or over video. I try to reserve evenings for cooking a cozy meal with my partner, meeting up with friends or getting some solo time in. Capping off the day this way, sans work, leaves me energized and refreshed for the next busy day to come!
Where and how do you work best?
I find that I work best when surrounded by others. As a solo entrepreneur, too much time spent working at home can feel lonely and isolating. I personally thrive and am my most productive self when I can nuzzle into a cozy table, put my earphones in so as not to get overly distracted, and cultivate creativity from the people, smells and sites around me.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Not at the moment, though I do have a couple of exciting collaborations coming up in 2018 with some incredible wellness brands, so stay tuned!
Where is your business based?
Molly Cutler Health is based in Tel Aviv, but I work with clients internationally with clients in Israel, the U.S., Chile, and the UK to name a few.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I first turned to my inner network, offering services for free to a select few friends and family members. Word of mouth slowly started spreading and I started charging for my services (my first official client was such an exciting and anxiety-ridden WIN!). Now, about a year after I launched my practice, I have created a strong word of mouth referral base and am now working on building up my presence on search and social to grow and diversify my client base.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and attracting new customers?
Hands down word of mouth referrals. That’s where it all starts.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Establishing a focused niche to target. My services have been more generalized, which is great because it pertains to a wider audience, but my goal is to become an expert in a more targeted space.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I’ve yet to overcome it, but work every day to focus in on which disciplines and client types bring me the most joy, so I can continue to narrow in on my specialty.
How do you keep motivated through tough times?
I remind myself of what interested me in the field of health, wellness, and nutrition in the first place. Once I remember why I love this work and the joy it brings me to see others thrive and grow into themselves, I can rest knowing I’m on my path.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I distinguish myself from my competitors through my supportive, relatable approach. Above all, I never ever want a client to feel judged, critiqued, or criticized. I believe that my coaching is defined by the positive relationships I develop with my clients, by providing a sincere, positive dynamic, but while simultaneously pushing and challenging them in the areas that we both know can use growth.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
That being a specialist is often more fruitful than being a generalist. Focusing on one subject you love and becoming an absolute expert and the go-to voice for that thing is the way to succeed while remaining passionate and engaged.
What do you wish you had known when you started your business?
I wish I had known that it would be a lot harder than I thought it would be, but that the feeling you get with the highs is also so much better than I ever thought it could be.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
Ina Garten is my favorite food personality hands down and has had a major impact on my constantly evolving food philosophy. Ina inspired my deep seeded love for food and cooking. She has been a guiding voice for me since I was a teen, helping me understand and appreciate the joys of simple, classic cooking with a focus on the quality of ingredients.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Share your ideas and collaborate with influencers and experts in your space. Don’t keep your ideas a secret.
What business tools/resources could you not work without?
Google calendar and drive, Hubspot CRM, VSCO, Snapseed, Later
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
That the days when I’m doubting myself, my business and my abilities are the most important times that help propel me forward. Only challenge can bring growth, in business and in life.
Where would you like your business to be 5 years from now?
In 5 years, I hope to have a successful coaching practice with my time split between Tel Aviv and my hometown of Los Angeles. I also hope to start a natural foods company before then!