Today we’d like to introduce you to Nissa Higgins
Hi Nissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Louisiana born, Texas raised woman, that spent a good number of years struggling with being overweight. After losing over 100lbs in 2007, I decided to go to college and get a degree in nutrition. My weight loss process required my learning so much about what being healthy really means as it compared to what I had done my entire life. The more I researched, the more I realized that while there were many genetic components to my weight issues, the cultural and educational aspects of what informed my food decisions could not be ignored; I’d had this all wrong. I made changes in my life as I learned, and I realized that a lot of my peers, my relatives, and others in my direct sphere of influence suffered more from lack of knowledge than they did of making overtly bad decisions; there was so much that we just did not know.
My going to college was my commitment to learning for my life and learning to lead others to the education they needed for better health. First Fruits Health and Wellness is a regular person, working daily to maintain the lifestyle that promotes better health, and position my company as one in the community concerned about the COMPLETE health and wellness of the people I serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has not been a smooth journey at all. It has been like driving on a dirt road in a vehicle with terrible shocks; bumps every few feet. I rebranded and started First Fruits in March of 2018. At that time I worked with a few bariatric surgeons teaching pre-op patients how to make the changes that would make their weight loss process easier after surgery. In that capacity, I serviced over 500 patients. I made a decision at the end of 2019 to press forward with the model and was negotiating terms with a couple of other surgeons, when COVID enters the picture.
My business was not only working with doctors directly, they were all surgeons. Slowly, the use of the hospitals was relegated to COVID patients, and bariatric surgery all but stopped. The in-person group meetings we were having became online group sessions, and sometimes individual. Those slowly came to a halt and no surgeries were being scheduled.
My business was falling apart, and at the same time, my patients were TERRIFIED about the idea of getting COVID and everything they were seeing regarding that. I’m a Christian minister, so many stopped coming to me for nutrition counseling, and begin to call for prayer and spiritual counsel. This continued until 2021 and I was forced back into the workforce in 2022.
I went into sales from October 2022 to October of 2024. Layoffs plagued the business I was in, and when I lost my job in 2024 something said, “Nissa, go back to what you know and do well, and just rebuild.” So with no income and my 4 year old daughter in tow with me, I begun rebuilding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
First Fruits Health and Wellness is real people… With a real journey… Getting real results…
As someone who once weighed nearly 300lbs and battled hypertension, diabetes, I understand the challenges of weight management firsthand. Through dedication and the power of nutrition, I’ve lost over 100lbs. My personal struggles inspired me to pursue degrees in nutrition, equipping me with the knowledge to help others who, like me, grew up without real nutrition education.
Why Choose Us?
Personal Experience: I’ve walked in your shoes and overcome significant health challenges.
Professional Expertise: Armed with nutrition degrees and real-world success.
Specialized Focus: Weight management and improved health through nutrition.
Holistic Approach: Addressing not just diet, but overall wellness.
Our Services include:
Personalized Weight Management Programs
Nutritional Counseling for Chronic Conditions
Custom Meal Planning
Health and Wellness Coaching
If you’re looking for someone who truly understands your journey and has the expertise to guide you towards better health, you’re in the right place. Let’s work together to transform your health through the power of nutrition.
Whether you’re looking to have surgery, get GLP shots, or implement a dietary strategy that improves your health, ALL of these tools require support, accountability, and the education to MAINTAIN YOUR RESULTS. We walk with you when and how it matters the most.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice if you’re just starting out is face forward. Your identity is crucial to understanding how you’re going to move forward and create a successful business. You will have to know what your path is, you will have to know where to get good counsel, and you will have to know who or what gets you back up when you’ve been knocked down.
I wish I knew that business ownership isn’t for the weak, but conventional employment isn’t for me. I wish I’d realized that the path of entrepreneurship, as hard as it’s been is the lane I have always been created for. I wish I knew that someone who doesn’t have the same mandate as you doesn’t understand. I wish I’d known the only sure thing is that there is peace in the RIGHT direction, and that has nothing to do with money, success, or people’s opinions. Do what you were created to do and BE who you were created to be.
Pricing:
- Our office visits are the total cost of a copay, if your doctor refers you.
- We have group programs that are priced based on group size.
- We provide supplement recommendations and offer up to 35% off supplements purchased from us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.firstfruitshealthandwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstfruitshealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstfruitshealth
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstfruitshealth/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/first-fruits-health-and-wellness-houston-2
