So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Amy Bakios and I am a Registered Dietitian based out of Utah. I empower my clients to achieve sustainable weight loss and improve their overall health through a real-life approach.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

I love the outdoor community in Utah, especially volunteering services. Our mountains offer many activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding. I have found some great groups such as Drage Second Change Ranch, a horse and human rescue program that have taught me how to horseback ride and how to give back to others to have access to riding.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Be You Nutrition offers telehealth services that make it easy to access personalized, evidence-based nutrition guidance at low copays. With over 10 years of clinical experience, I focus not only on nutrition but on the whole person—considering sleep, stress, exercise, and lifestyle factors. I help my clients build lasting habits that support a healthy, authentic life.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

Utilize the free community start up business programs. I used the Women's Business Center of Utah to teach me how to set up and maintain my business. It provided me with local connections to other business owners to help each other learn and grow.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

My client Gracie states, "Highly recommend Amy for both her caring nature and her drive to help you succeed. She is both an amazing human being and awesome nutritionist. She is always willing to listen; takes into account major life events and can help you easily get back on track if you have a struggle of a day."

I strive to make my clients be heard, to find solutions together in real life. Gracie was kind to acknowledge this.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see myself providing services to more physician groups. I am open to partnering with others to help provide Medical Nutrition Therapy to their patients, especially if covered by insurance. My goal as a Registered Dietitian is to offer affordable nutrition support within a healthcare system that limits our accessibility to nutrition care.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

"Dietitians will take away all the food you enjoy eating." The opposite is true. I use the foods my clients enjoy and make them more nutrient dense cased on the science of food. This can help my clients feel more satisfied and increase their energy, while still enjoying their favorite items. Food is good, I focus on the balance, portion sizes and quality of what we eat to heal our bodies.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

Providing care at a low cost to clients. I overcame this by becoming credentialed with multiple insurance companies. If clients are not covered by insurance, I keep my rates reasonable to allow for access to nutrition care.

Any shoutouts you want to make?z

My parents for teaching me hard work and dedication to serving others.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Follow me on Instagram: @amybakios, Facebook: Amy Bakios or my website: https://be-you-nutrition.com/