Dietitians as Entrepreneurs in the USA: A Qualitative Study

Dietetics entrepreneurship in the USA has been scarcely researched. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of entrepreneurial dietitians by discovering the process of becoming one, the barriers to starting a business in dietetics, and the skills and resources necessary. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Inclusion criteria included: participants 18 years or older, holding the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, living and practicing in the United States, and spending at least 15 hr per week on a dietetics-related entrepreneurial venture. Recruitment was conducted through purposive sampling through social media. Ultimately, 24 dietitians were interviewed virtually. Data were analyzed using a qualitative case study design. After data immersion, the case description framework was determined, and case descriptions were written for each participant. From the case descriptions, 20 uniform categories were identified to organize the data into word tables . Three themes (Getting Started, Business in Action, and Resources) represent the data. Dietitians commonly become entrepreneurs in the pursuit of autonomy, professional fulfillment, and financial growth. The primary barriers were lack of business knowledge, difficulties with legal decisions, and credentialing with insurance. The primary resources used to start a business were the internet, mentors, and business coaches. Participants reported high job satisfaction. Successful entrepreneurial dietitians in the USA faced challenges and overcame them highlighting the importance of education and mentorship.