We had the good fortune of connecting with Rochelle Claire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rochelle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Coming from a soviet background, my parents always wanted me to get a good job and become well established. Through college, I had many internships and did the things that my parents wanted me to. In 2020, I joined a networking group called Believe, Inspire, Grow, or B.I.G as we call it, after reaching out to my high school English teacher asking if she knew anyone in the nutrition space. After attending my first meeting, I met many women who all own their own businesses and are extremely successful. This sparked my interest in starting my own business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In October 2017, I got extremely sick. I was bed bound, couldn’t walk outside or down my driveway, always nauseous, and had what felt like heart attacks every night for six months. No one could figure out what was wrong. I was threated to be kicked out of school. My parents didn’t know what to do or what had happened to their “normal” daughter. Later, I was strapped into the car and taken against my will to the doctors office. In April 2018, I met my angel or the person I credit to saving my life. What I discovered was that I was having severe panic attacks stemming from my bodies inability to store serotonin. This had to do with constant antibiotic use. For five years, I worked to rebalancing my gut-brain axis. From research as a public health professional to personal experiences, I vowed to never let anyone else feel the same why I did…helpless. From there, I began studying gut health as it related to various mental health issues, leaky gut, or simply overall health.

Let me tell you, this journey has not been easy. However, it has been the most rewarding journey. I have dealt with severe imposter syndrome and feeling overwhelmed. It is when my clients get results that all the stress and worries I had in building my business just go away. My heart smiles with every person I help. It fills my cup knowing that others can choose not to suffer the way I did.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are two groups that I would love to dedicate this shoutout to: Believe, Inspire, Grow (B.I.G) and AKT Verona. The amazing women of B.I.G ignited my passion to become an entrepreneur while AKT Verona gave me the opportunity to step into a role of leadership. Without these two groups, I don’t believe I would have the mindset I currently have and the ability to lead others.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellachka/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelleshvartsman/

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