As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nikki Fata.
Nikki Fata, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Nutrition with N, PLLC, a virtual private practice providing personalized, evidence-based nutrition counseling. She helps clients improve their relationship with food, manage health conditions, and achieve sustainable wellness — all on their own terms.
With a compassionate, collaborative approach, Nikki guides individuals toward health goals while fostering a positive connection with food and body, so they can live without constant food worry. Her passion for nutrition began in childhood, growing up in a (mostly) Italian family where meals were central to daily life. Professionally, she began in treatment centers supporting those with eating and mood disorders, helping clients nourish their bodies while challenging harmful thoughts and behaviors.
Recognizing how complex “food stuff” is for most people, Nikki founded her practice to provide accessible, judgment-free support. Through Nutrition with N, she offers one-on-one counseling, her group program Nourish from Within, and Nutrition Insights, a nutrition analysis service that delivers personalized intake feedback. Today, Nikki is dedicated to making nutrition feel simpler, less stressful, and more joyful — helping people see food as just food again.
In this candid conversation, Nikki shares her journey, insights, and the strategies that have helped her build a results-driven business and empower other entrepreneurs to do the same.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and how did your journey begin?
I never started my private practice with the intention of becoming an entrepreneur- it naturally evolved once I realized I wanted to do something I fully believed in that supported my working style and personality. I’ve always been self-motivated, determined, efficient, and organized. Once I started working, I found the traditional 9-5 schedule limiting and saw little room to leverage my time management skills, which began to interfere with the work-life balance I valued. This realization led me to create my own practice, where I could be my own boss, set my schedule and work in a way that maximizes efficiency, aligns with my values, and prioritizes balance.
Why did you choose to focus your business on serving women, and what does that mission mean to you personally?
While my business is not exclusively for women, I have found that those identifying as women tend to reach out more frequently. My mission is to empower individuals to build a healthy and positive relationship with food. I believe that everyone deserves to have a nourishing and satisfying relationship with food, and I am committed to helping my clients achieve this goal. I think working primarily with women reflects the supportive environment I’ve created- one where they feel comfortable and empowered on their individual journeys, which is something I’m deeply proud of.
What makes your business or brand unique in today’s market?
My business is unique in that it relies heavily on collaboration with my clients. While I am a “nutrition expert”, I don’t pretend to know more about their bodies or experiences than they do. As a dietitian, my role is to listen closely to each person’s story and guide them toward their goals through education and support. I see myself as a cheerleader- someone who empowers and encourages clients to make choices aligned with their values.
What’s been one of the most rewarding moments in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
The most rewarding moments come when a client expresses feeling heard, understood, and seen in our work together. This often happens when a session begins to flow, and both the client and I start opening up in new ways. That’s when the magic happens- things begin to click, meaningful changes take shape, and it all stems from building a strong, trusting professional relationship first.
What challenges have you faced as a woman building a business for women, and how have you turned those challenges into fuel?
The work involved in navigating your relationship with food isn’t always seen as “sexy”. It’s hard work that requires identifying thoughts and behaviors that may be normalized by society but are unhelpful on an individual level. It means exploring deeply rooted beliefs about food, nutrition, health, and bodies- and it’s certainly not something that changes overnight. In today’s world of “quick fixes” and “miracle cures”, this kind of work isn’t always what people seek out. At the same time, I know it’s exactly what more people need- and that’s what fuels me to keep going. If I can help someone understand that quick fixes rarely lead to lasting change and inspire them to invest in their health, it’s almost always a win!
Can you share a customer story or testimonial that reminded you why your work truly matters?
In a final individual session with a client this past week, we recapped the time spent together and her progress toward the goals set at the start. She shared, “I’ve stopped shaming myself for eating certain foods, and that is the biggest breakthrough. I feel a lot freer to eat the things I want to eat.” As a dietitian whose mission is to empower people to build a more supportive relationship with food, this client’s words truly demonstrate that “food stuff” can become easier.
What gaps or unmet needs did you notice in your industry that motivated you to build your own solution?
I created my online group program, Nourish from Within, to fill a significant gap in healthcare. After working individually with clients on improving their relationships with food, I realized that what many people express needing most is support, camaraderie, and connection- to remind them they’re not alone. As I’ve mentioned, this work can be challenging and brings up difficult thoughts and emotions. Nourish from Within is designed to provide education, exploration, support, and community- a combination of things that’s often lacking in today’s health and wellness space.
How do you stay motivated during the tough times or moments of doubt?
I often tell myself- “one thing at a time” and as a child of the 90s, “Life’s tough, get a helmet!” Of course there are times where the work is slower, or I feel that I’m not doing all that I can to support my clients, but I try to slow my thinking and identify one thing I can do differently to keep moving forward.
What habits or routines help you stay focused, balanced, and productive as a founder?
Being intentional and setting boundaries is incredibly important. As the founder of Nutrition with N, PLLC there is always something I could be doing – whether it’s responding to emails, attending a networking event, rescheduling a client appointment, or participating in a continuing education webinar for professional growth. I’ve found that blocking my schedule and creating realistic to-do lists helps keep me on track. I’ve also learned to say no to things that don’t align with my goals.
How do you connect with your audience and build trust with the women you serve?
I ask questions and listen! I try my best to pay attention to everything that my clients communicate to me (both verbally and nonverbally) to be able to support them in what they genuinely need.
What has been the most effective way you’ve grown your brand or customer base?
My business relies on personal and professional connections and referrals. Most of my clients have come from my larger network of other health professionals who work in this field- therapists, psychiatrists, or outreach specialists. Those who know my working style well know that I am incredibly passionate and determined to help others and this trusting relationship leads to new clients.
What does “women supporting women” look like to you in business, and how do you actively embody that in your brand or leadership style?
“Women supporting women” means taking the time to understand the problems women face and moving forward with active steps to address those problems head-on. My approach involves asking questions, engaging in active listening and using solutions-based problem solving, with a bit of creativity.
What advice would you give to other women who are just starting out in business?
It might sound cliché, but “don’t give up” and “one step at a time”. I’ve had to learn to slow down, meet myself where I’m at, and check my biases in order to make reasonable progress both in business and in my personal life. I always suggest having high expectations and standards for yourself and your business, and suggest making sure that your goals are realistic and attainable in some capacity, so you can make consistent progress.
Where can our audience connect with you and learn more about your journey or brand?
- Learn more about Nikki Fata at Nutrition with N, PLLC by:
- Visiting her website
- Reaching out via email
- Checking out her Instagram page.
