Lindsay Krasna is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RD) specializing in eating disorders and disordered eating. She provides compassionate and inclusive nutrition counseling, taking a relational, collaborative, and evidence-based approach. As the founder of LK Nutrition, a small group practice, she is dedicated to supporting individuals with eating disorders, complex relationships with food, and medical conditions that benefit from nutrition therapy. Based in New York City, her practice offers both in-person and virtual sessions nationwide.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
At LK Nutrition, my mission is to support clients in learning how to honor their bodies’ unique needs around food and to empower them to exist more peacefully in their bodies through one-on-one nutrition counseling. If food and eating feel stressful or anxiety-provoking, my goal is to help clients gain more clarity, confidence, and ease around food decisions.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
I never sought to start my own practice at first. But after working a few jobs in institutional settings (treatment centers, hospitals, etc.), I decided to start taking some private clients on the side as a way to make a bit more money and dabble in private practice, which allowed for more clinical freedom and creativity in my work. I also knew some colleagues who had started their own successful private practices, and I was really inspired by seeing them thrive. After a bit of time, I found myself really enjoying the business side of having even a small private practice. At a certain point, when I had enough clients, a steady stream of client inquiries coming in, and more confidence in my value as a provider, I made the jump to leave my full-time salaried job so that I could focus 100% of my energy on my practice. And I haven’t looked back since. 🙂
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Fear was probably my biggest challenge. I was really scared of leaving my full-time salaried job with benefits to pursue a full-time private practice, and then having it flop and not seeing enough income to pay my bills. No one in my family at that point had their own business, and I think they were also worried for me because they thought it was a huge risk. I think it helped that I started my practice on the side as a part-time gig so that I had some momentum, confidence, and extra income going in—and didn’t have to start completely from scratch when I left my full-time job. I also sought out mentors and had a lot of support from other clinicians who ran successful private practices, and that really helped me feel like I had support and somewhat of a roadmap to follow.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievement?
I think I’m most proud of taking the risk of starting my own business and especially proud of the fact that it’s a business that is having a positive impact on people’s lives and their well-being.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women in leadership today?
We need more women in leadership! There’s such a lack of representation of women in powerful positions in the workplace. While we are not a monolith, I think women in general bring such an important perspective into their respective industries. I think diversity in general enriches the workplace, leads to more innovation, and helps people feel safer to express their ideas. Gender diversity is a crucial aspect of this. I also think seeing other women in positions of influence and leadership helps give other women permission and inspiration to step into similar roles (I know it has for me).
What message/advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Feel the fear and do it anyway. And surround yourself with lots of support if you can. Reach out and connect with other aspiring or active entrepreneurs, leaders, or women in your industry doing things that inspire you. There are lots of us out here! Being connected to other women in this journey was (and continues to be) incredibly empowering and makes me feel less alone.
Website or Social Media Links:
Instagram: LK Nutrition NYC
Instagram: Collaborative Nutritionist
