Gregory Burbelo

Gregory Burbelo is a health enthusiast and highly successful nutritionist based out of Baltimore City, Maryland. Gregory attended California State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and went on to pursue his master’s degree in physiology and metabolism. After graduation, Gregory worked for several major supplement companies before making the decision to open his own online nutrition business. Gregory is proud to help clients make healthy choices and is committed to providing up-to-date information on how individuals can incorporate certain foods into their lifestyle.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I knew early on in my career that I wanted to somehow get into health and nutrition, but I wasn’t entirely sure what route I wanted to take. I decided to study dietetics at California State University, which opened my eyes to how certain foods can impact one’s immune system and prevent disease. I moved on to complete a master’s degree in physiology and metabolism which taught me the importance of a well-balanced diet and how food impacts bodily functions. Given the health crisis in America, I wanted to help individuals make the necessary changes to improve their lives, so they have the knowledge to make educated decisions about what they consume every day.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My nutrition business is predominantly online so I spend the majority of my day updating my blog, website, and interacting with clients over video calls. I utilize technology which includes organizational softwares and taking the time to take detailed notes wherever I can.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I have a couple of new hires that make my life a lot easier. While my business is online, I have experienced significant growth over the last several years, so I am hoping to expand further over the next few months. I work alongside wonderful people who are also passionate about living a healthy and active lifestyle, I know that I can always count on them.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I would have to say the increased focus on natural/organic eating. A lot of highly popular brands are taking the time to reassess their ingredients and what types of harmful chemicals go into their products. We are starting to see a lot more raw and natural ingredients in everyday foods like cereals and granola bars.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Definitely, self-assessment. I take criticism very seriously and I am always learning from my mistakes. I value the feedback of my clients and I do my best to always improve my service offerings.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to enjoy life’s experiences and to not get so caught up in the pressures associated with a post-secondary education. I spent most of my university years worried about getting perfect grades and making the necessary connections that I feel like I missed out on certain opportunities.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

That there is no such thing as “bad foods”. Sure there are certain food products that should be eaten in moderation but monitoring your sugar and fat intake should not be stressful. It’s all about finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I would say take the time to constantly assess what works and what doesn’t. Don’t continue to put time and money into certain services or marketing strategies that have proven to be unsuccessful. Business is all about overcoming challenges and finding new ways to do things.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

My business is online, so social media has really helped me expand my business and gain a loyal client base. I do my best to share weekly recipes and I also incorporate vegan/ vegetarian friendly options to appeal to a wider audience.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

One failure I had was when I first started my business. I wasn’t exactly sure how to develop customized plans for my clients while also helping them remain accountable. Experience has taught me that open communication and listening to what my clients are saying will help ensure positive outcomes.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I think that more vegan and vegetarian products are needed, especially those offered at a lower price point. I have many clients come to me and say that they would like to make the transition to a plant-based lifestyle but the cost of food will not allow them to do so. We need to make these types of products more accessible to consumers.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently bought a subscription to an online health magazine. I always want to stay on top of the industry’s latest trends so that I am better prepared for questions from my clients.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I recently started using Nutrium. Is a comprehensive software for nutritionists and dieticians.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.

What is your favorite quote?

“Success Is To Be Measured Not So Much By the Position That One Has Reached in Life As By the Obstacles Which He Has Overcome.” – Booker T. Washington

Key Learnings:

• Make self-assessment a weekly habit
• Open communication is key to customer satisfaction
• Take the time to enjoy life’s experiences