How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business

Chris Hughes

Welcome to “How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business,” the go-to podcast for dietitians, nutritionists, and health professionals seeking to transform their passion into a thriving business. Hosted by Dietitian, Chris Hughes. Chris will detail the successes and failures from his journey as a sole practitioner to 7-figure business owner in just 4 years. Each episode features insightful interviews with industry experts, candid discussions about both the successes and challenges encountered in the journey, and practical advice on building and scaling a client-centered nutrition business. Whether you’re a sole practitioner dreaming of expansion or an established professional aiming for higher profitability, this podcast will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve your business goals. Join us as we explore the intricacies of client relationship management, marketing strategies, service diversification, and much more, all tailored specifically for the nutrition community. “How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business” is more than just a podcast; it’s a roadmap to success in the competitive world of nutrition and health services.

  1. 40 Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Nutrition Business

    04/22/2025

    40 Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Nutrition Business

    In this episode of How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business, Chris is joined by his wife and marketing strategist Stacey Hughes to share over 40 marketing strategies that helped them grow their dietetic business into a thriving seven-figure operation. From humble beginnings with no time for marketing and three kids under three, they dive into how referrer relationships, like weekly meetings with GPs and chronic disease nurses, became the backbone of their growth. They also discuss the creative tools they used to stay top of mind—like branded recipe magazines, co-branded resources, conference speaking gigs, and even old-school postcards that delivered an impressive ROI. Whether it was building online calculators for eating disorder referrals or dropping off sushi platters to start conversations, their approach combined consistency, creativity, and community. They also explore what worked when targeting the public, from SEO-optimised blogs and Facebook ads to cooking demos, webinars, and health challenges that boosted engagement and email signups. Stacey highlights how automation tools and AI have made marketing more accessible than ever, and why building visibility through regular content—like Lives, podcasts, and newsletters—remains crucial. They wrap up by sharing what they’d do differently today, from leveraging Google Ads to deeper nurturing of existing clients. This episode is a goldmine for any health professional wanting practical, real-world strategies that don’t require a full-time marketing team.

    38 min
  2. The Ultimate Guide to Online Memberships with Mike Morrison

    04/09/2025

    The Ultimate Guide to Online Memberships with Mike Morrison

    🎙️ In this episode of How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business, Chris sits down with Mike Morrison, founder of the Membership Geeks and Membership Academy, to dive deep into what makes membership businesses thrive—especially in the health and wellness space. Mike shares his 15+ years of experience in the industry, offering practical insights on community building, pricing strategies, and how to create a membership that keeps people engaged long-term. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your membership model, Mike's approach to the “three Cs” (Content, Coaching, and Community) is a game changer. 💡 Mike also shares his powerful retention framework, explores common mistakes membership owners make, and gives real advice on platform choice—spoiler: he's not a fan of Facebook groups for paid memberships. From fostering engagement to boosting lifetime customer value, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you serve more people without burning out. Guest Bio & Links: Mike Morrison is founder of the Membership Geeks and Membership Academy, where he's been the driving force behind countless successful membership businesses. He’s the host of a popular podcast, author of three best-selling books including Member Machine (2016) and Behind The Membership (2019), and can regularly be found on stages around the world at events including Social Media Marketing World, Atomicon, and Podcast Movement. 👉 Connect with Mike: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Page | Facebook Group

    48 min
  3. How the Book I Never Wanted to Write Impacted My Career with Natasa Denman

    03/26/2025

    How the Book I Never Wanted to Write Impacted My Career with Natasa Denman

    In this episode of How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business, Chris Hughes shares the unexpected story of the book he never wanted to write—and how that very book became one of the most powerful tools in his career as a dietitian and entrepreneur. Joining him is the woman who made it all happen: Natasa Denman, founder and CEO of Ultimate 48 Hour Author. Chris opens up about the imposter syndrome that almost kept him from writing a book, the resistance he felt going into the process, and how his wife Stacey quietly signed him up anyway. What followed was a career-defining experience that not only helped Chris extract the knowledge in his head but gave him the confidence to own his expertise, land speaking gigs, and ultimately grow and sell a successful business. Natasa breaks down her method for turning experts into authors—fast. Her system, developed for time-poor professionals, helps extract valuable knowledge and structure it into a book in just 48 hours. Together, they reflect on the behind-the-scenes moments, the power of publishing for credibility, and how the process can transform not just your business, but your identity as a leader. A CSP-accredited speaker and 15-time published author, Natasa Denman is the creator of the Ultimate 48 Hour Author system. Since launching her business in 2010, she has helped more than 950 solopreneurs across 15 countries become published authors. In 2018, she founded Ultimate World Publishing, supporting her authors as they go on to write second and third books. Featured in major Australian media including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Financial Review and The Age, Natasa now runs a multi 7-figure business from home with her husband and three children—having successfully pivoted her company online in 2020. Whether you're a nutritionist, dietitian, PT, or health coach, this episode is packed with inspiration, real talk, and practical advice for turning your expertise into something bigger. Writing a book isn’t about being a bestseller—it’s about becoming the next version of yourself and opening up doors you never knew existed. If this episode hits home for you, make sure to like, share and subscribe so more nutrition professionals can make a bigger impact doing what they love. Resources & Links: Free Shut Up and Write Your First Book Download: https://48.ultimate48hourauthor.com.au/shutupebookau Website: https://writeabook.com.au Events Page: https://www.writeabook.com.au/events/

    28 min
  4. Results, Retention, and Revenue: What You Offer vs. What Clients Value

    03/12/2025

    Results, Retention, and Revenue: What You Offer vs. What Clients Value

    In this episode, we dive into what truly makes a nutrition business thrive—client retention and perceived value. I share insights from my own journey, including how I struggled with retention early on despite following textbook-perfect consults. Through a survey of 50 clients, I discovered that those who saw the most value in nutrition services received multiple tangible products—like diet analyses, customized meal plans, and body scans—rather than just verbal advice. By aligning services with client expectations while staying evidence-based, you can boost retention, enhance client satisfaction, and ultimately build a more profitable business. We also explore a critical mindset shift around client results—especially in weight loss. While we’re trained to promote slow and steady progress, research shows that structured, faster results can be just as effective when done safely. Clients will seek quick fixes with or without us, so why not guide them in a sustainable way? If you want to improve retention, provide tangible value, and grow your business efficiently, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you get there. Tune in now! 🚀 Some articles mentioned in the podcast that you might find useful:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5702468/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3780395/ https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers https://www.mealzee.com/nutrition-fitness-professionals-value-research

    21 min
  5. How to Use Grants to Grow Your Business with Kim Yabsley

    02/26/2025

    How to Use Grants to Grow Your Business with Kim Yabsley

    Have you ever considered how government grants could supercharge your nutrition business? In this episode, Chris Hughes sits down with Kim Yabsley from Growology, the grant specialist who helped transform his dietitian business with over $120,000 in funding. Kim reveals the staggering amount of grant money available—over $74 billion this week alone—and how health and nutrition professionals can tap into these opportunities. Whether you’re looking to expand your team, develop new technology, or scale your services, this episode will show you how to position yourself for success and craft a winning grant application. Chris and Kim break down the biggest mistakes business owners make when applying for grants and how to avoid them. You'll learn how to find the right grants for your business, stand out in a competitive application process, and even use grants as a client acquisition strategy. If you're a small business owner in the nutrition or fitness space, this episode is packed with actionable insights that could unlock thousands of dollars in funding. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to grow your business with free money that's already out there waiting for you! Learn more about Growology Website: https://www.growology.com.au/  Ultimate Grants Guide (Australia’s most comprehensive listing of grants for small businesses all in one easy place): https://growology.com.au/gold-rush-bundle Keep up with Kim Yabsley here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growwithgrants Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growology Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growology

    22 min

About

Welcome to “How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business,” the go-to podcast for dietitians, nutritionists, and health professionals seeking to transform their passion into a thriving business. Hosted by Dietitian, Chris Hughes. Chris will detail the successes and failures from his journey as a sole practitioner to 7-figure business owner in just 4 years. Each episode features insightful interviews with industry experts, candid discussions about both the successes and challenges encountered in the journey, and practical advice on building and scaling a client-centered nutrition business. Whether you’re a sole practitioner dreaming of expansion or an established professional aiming for higher profitability, this podcast will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve your business goals. Join us as we explore the intricacies of client relationship management, marketing strategies, service diversification, and much more, all tailored specifically for the nutrition community. “How to Build a Profitable Nutrition Business” is more than just a podcast; it’s a roadmap to success in the competitive world of nutrition and health services.