Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Robins.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In my late 20s, I developed a sequence of health issues which continued on and multiplied after having children. I sought medical treatment of all kinds including integrative, traditional, acupuncture, herbal and more and was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases as well as chronic Lyme, infections, and systemic inflammation. While I had been gluten-free for years, it was not until I discovered a grain, dairy, and refined sugar-free lifestyle built on nutrient-dense foods that I began to finally see progress in my healing.
I used this lifestyle transition to launch my blog, Predominantly Paleo where I shared recipes and later went onto write 5 cookbooks. More recently, I’ve also established Legit Bread Company, a paleo, allergen-friendly bread company to offer consumer packaged products as well.
By shifting my focus to total wellness, including personal care products like cosmetics and household products, I have been able to make great strides in my overall health and well-being.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! In addition to having chronic health issues, I am also a stay at home mom of 3 kids and am a military spouse. So, we are always in transition and having to really work on finding balance. Nothing entrepreneurial is easy and the amount of stress can be overwhelming at times.
One important lesson in being your own boss is circling back to your mission. Your WHY. When you can reconnect with why you started, to begin with, you can overcome those obstacles more easily. I think the reason so many businesses fail is that the WHY is not solid (overfocused on money or distracted by others work) and because it’s easier to give up than to push through.
Seeing your business through the storms provides so many lessons and insights and really creates a stronger business on the other side.
What should we know about Predominantly Paleo and Legit Bread Company? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in filling the void for people who struggle with health conditions or who just want to live a healthier lifestyle but are afraid of missing out on their favorite foods. I felt the same way when I was first transitioning to a grain-free lifestyle and really wanted to figure out a way to not feel like I was sacrificing more than I already had.
So, I develop recipes which taste like favorite comfort foods and “home”, wherever that may be, and also really focus on creating recipes that those with severe allergies can tolerate. While my own children do not have acute reactions to gluten or dairy, there are so many kids in the US that really miss out on their favorite foods because they become ill, so I love being able to put those foods back into the bellies of those who are missing out.
One of my commitments is that I stay very engaged and connected with my readers. I do not outsource that interaction. It’s really important to me to stay in constant communication so that means that even as my readership has grown, I am the one who answers every email and social media comment. It makes me feel good to keep that relationship very personal.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I love the podcast How I Built This on NPR. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the entrepreneurs who have come before me and love hearing their stories.
I also love the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza who digs deep into neuroplasticity and how powerful our minds really are!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.predominantlypaleo.com, www.legitbreadcompany.com
- Email: jennifer@predominantlypaleo.com
- Instagram: @predominantly_paleo, @legitbreadcompany
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/predominanantlypaleo, www.facebook.com/legitbreadcompany
Image Credit:
Tell Chronicles, Jeremy Meek, Kelly Allison
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