Kimberly Houston is a motivated entrepreneur, mom (and former neighbor) passionate about assisting people to make the transition to “Wellness” mind, body, and spirit through education and nutritional supplementation. You can follow her at twitter.com/kimahouston and myspace.com/pbghi.

BO: What inspired you to start Prosper and Be in Good Health, Inc.?

KH: Prosper and Be in Good Health is actually the second stage of my enterprise and therefore in an attempt to put the horse and the carriage in their proper places I am going to answer the questions about the first stage business venture which is “Kimberly A. Houston Wellness Consulting”.

I was inspired to start my wellness consulting business as a result of my own “Journey to Wellness” as I call it. I have always been a pretty active and health conscious person, but as I think all women, and especially once a woman has given birth, we all become more conscious of body image.

Yet about 5 years ago, it became more important to me to be healthy, instead of just “slim”. I became more aware of the importance of vitamins, minerals, etc. and how these different organic compounds affect the body. How they assimilate in the system to manage and combat the stresses of life and the environment. I learned that as we feed body what it needs weight loss is a by-product.

The result of being a walking ad, and people asking me what I’ve done personally, has blossomed into my business.

BO: It seems nutrition and wellness are not always a priority in communities of color. Do you find it difficult to get it at the forefront of our minds?

KH: Introducing communities of color to the benefits of living well is my passion. Especially coming from a Caribbean heritage I do find it a little difficult to convince people that the traditional American Diet is a sham, and that the fresh foods we were accustomed to back home are actually a better choice. Beyond that I am also working to share the tips and little tricks I have come across in my own personal shopping to encourage others that healthier and even organic foods can be just as accessible as what my clients are accustomed to. Because I am passionate about what I do and understand that it has also been a process for me, it gives me the patience to work with my clients and hold their hands through a journey of change which is scary to some, but most beneficial to all.

BO: What are the most gratifying aspects of running your business?

KH: I find the mental self-awareness my clients come away with after our interactions most gratifying. I find that after consultations, upon my next visits, most clients are motivated to do research and make strides toward a healthier existence on their own. That is most exceptional to me because taking personal responsibility for our lives and well-beings is the name of the game. I believe that personal as well as communal self-discovery is majorly important for the purpose of finding out as individuals as well as a community what our bodies, souls, and ultimately spirits need in order to be whole and holistically healthy.

BO: How do you juggle raising a family and growing a business?

KH: Being a single parent and a business owner has its challenges, but they are both most rewarding and I wouldn’t have it any other way. These experiences have been great lessons for my children on so many levels. For instance my eldest daughter who is now thirteen and beginning high school in the fall has expressed interest in culinary arts. We have already began discussions about colleges to fulfill that passion, as well as conversations about entrepreneurial endeavors to that end. My children continue to be an inspiration considering that a lot of my personal research has been for the purpose of having enough energy to keep up with their needs and schedules. I am more happy and fulfilled that my business is an extension of the love and commitment I have for my family and look forward to sharing that love and commitment with my extended family; my clients.

BO: Any words of encouragement for would-be entrepreneurs?

KH: Although it may sound cliche, I would advise those with the dream of entrepreneurship to pursue your passion. Being a business owner comes with a demand for perseverance that can only be sustained by passion. Even in the times when I get a little tired, because this is my passion and a personal lifestyle, I figure that since I’m going to live my life like this anyway, there’s no chance of giving up on my business. To give it up is to stop living, and I’m still here so there’s no turning back. My other advice is to make sure to do your due diligence. There is a difference between a hobby and a business and the difference is in the foundation that you prepare for your endeavor. Research your business, take advantage of every library, magazine, business resource, book, online information, person in your field, to guarantee that your business knowledge and plan of execution is solid. Finally I would advise that you dream big, I think that in this age of DTV most Americans have forgotten the art of using their own imaginations. Do not allow another’s dream to be your own. Set out with the biggest dream your mind can fathom, then with the proper resource plan and build it bigger and better than any one before you.