North Bay Woman

40 NORTH BAY WOMAN By Jane Lott I f you're one of the 70 percent of Americans who dream of being self-employed, working from home might be the answer. Below, four entrepreneurs tell you the secrets to success in starting — and maintaining — your own business. Indie Mama Health When Nicole Slater was in her 20s, she seemed destined for a life of pain. Crippled, barely able to walk, every joint hurt. "Doctors couldn't help me," she says. She was desperate. So, she started researching alternatives, which eventu- ally led her to study at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Then, she designed an eating program that changed her life. She wrote her first cookbook, the "Vibrant Healthy Families e-Cookbook," published in November and available on Amazon. Now the mother of two young boys wants to share her knowledge with other busy moms. "I did it alone, without support," she explains. "I want to pro- vide support to others." To accomplish this, Slater established Indie Mama Health, an interactive, self-study program (indiemamanicole.com) to help families transition to healthy eating. But even though she is just starting out, Slater already demonstrates the first element of success: Do one thing with passion. Steele Botanicals Like Slater, Katrina Steele began by trying to solve a problem. "It all started out with rosacea for me," says Steele, who cre- ates specialized skin and healthcare products. After enduring low-dose antibiotics and $100 lotions, Steele, a radiology techni- cian, felt there had to be a better way. "There's all those hormones in our food and hormone inhibitors in our body care products," she ex- plains. "Your skin has to process everything." Concerned about health risks of commercial products, Steele looked for less toxic alterna- tives. Her search led to Forest- ville, to the California School of Herbal Studies. In addition to Work with Passion! Entrepreneurs and Home-Based Businesses Left to right: Nicole Slater of Indie Mama Health – Photo provided by Indie Mama Health; Lotions, oils and soaps from Steele Botanicals. – Photos provided by Steel Botancials; Below: Hamama greens. – Photo provided by Hamama

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