[00:00:00] Libby: If you're looking to grow your business as a registered dietitian, you've come to the right place. If you're not sure what to do or what steps to take next so that you can create flexibility and freedom in your life, then you're going to learn a lot from tuning into our podcast here at Dietitian Boss.
[00:00:17] Libby: I'm Libby Rothschild, the founder of Dietitian Boss, a fellow [00:00:20] registered dietitian and business owner. And in our podcast, I share the highs and the lows, and I talk all about how to grow your business. Get it started. And I interview our clients to date. We've had over 200 interviews from clients who share their journey on our podcast.
[00:00:36] Libby: Dietitian boss.
[00:00:36] Welcome. I'm here today with Beryl [00:00:40] Krinsky is a successful entrepreneur who is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master's of science in food science and a master's of business administration and food marketing. Beryl's been on the podcast before and I'm so happy to have her back. She has over 10 years of corporate experience with nutrition and food companies prior to launching her first business, Be Komplete.[00:01:00]
[00:01:00] Be Komplete is a corporate wellness firm that offers a variety of onsite and virtual services for corporations to enable individuals and corporations to better manage health conditions and to achieve optimal wellness. Beryl is proud to employ an experienced team of wellness professionals, including registered dietitian nutritionists, yogas and Pilates instructors, chair [00:01:20] massage therapists, personal trainers, registered nurses, and licensed acupuncturists.
[00:01:24] who represent the Be Komplete brand and bring their services to life. With her passion for educational wellness longevity, Beryl launched a second business, the Komplete Business Dietetic Internship, KBDI. This program trains our future registered dietitian nutritionists and how to help the [00:01:40] greatest number of consumers worldwide.
[00:01:42] Beryl volunteers for ASEND as a Dietetic Educational Program Reviewer and sits on the Board of Advisors for Rowan University of Dietetic Programs and the California State University LA Dietetics Program. Beryl's passionate about living a healthy and balanced lifestyle and loves exercising and traveling, cooking, animals, meditation, spending time outdoors, and always [00:02:00] learning.
[00:02:00] I'm so happy to have Beryl here today and I'm proud to serve on her board for KBDI, her Business Dietetic Internship. Beryl, welcome to today's episode.
[00:02:13] Libby: So excited to have you here today, Beryl, again, chatting with our audience about a really important topic today, and that [00:02:20] is the future of dietetics and what we should know coming from a dietetic internship director. So thank you so much for being here and welcome to today's episode.
[00:02:31] Beryl: Thank you, Libby.
[00:02:32] Beryl: It's a pleasure to be back. This is a really good question and many, many things we can talk about today. [00:02:40] What do you think is like the biggest question that's burning in people's minds.
[00:02:44] Libby: Yeah, I think that the current landscape of dietetics in general with telehealth entrepreneurship, the push for more business savvy skills, obviously we have these venture backed companies that are employing thousands of dietitians.
[00:02:58] Libby: We've got the master's [00:03:00] mandate and we can only Say how we think that's impacting. We have the decrease in admission rates. I guess I didn't answer your question with just one thing, huh? So those are things that come to mind. I guess for me, the main thing, and I think this is important to you too.
[00:03:12] Libby: And we've discussed it. Briefly is the decrease in admission rates. What does that mean? Is that going to go away?
[00:03:19] Beryl: That's a good [00:03:20] question. Now. I'm not a magical genie. I cannot predict the future. However, from my opinion, you know, and of one what I think is going to happen. I believe that the master's mandate was very shocking for everyone.
[00:03:38] Beryl: And I think [00:03:40] that coupled with the pandemic and some other factors drove down, you know, total applicants for dietetics programs and then ultimately dietetic internships. We're slowly starting to see a leveling out. I believe that there are going to be more candidates that are completing [00:04:00] their DPD and then going into dietetic internships.
[00:04:03] Beryl: Not sure if it's ever going to get back to how it was 10 years ago. That's in the past. We don't have to worry about that. I think the master's mandate, well, I'm not going to talk about what I think about it. It is, it is what it is in terms of getting a [00:04:20] master's. I think a really, really good strategy for dietetic students is to diversify their background.
[00:04:28] Beryl: You know, you have to get a master's now. Why don't you get a master's in something that's a little bit different? That's not straight nutrition. What about doing something that's a [00:04:40] little entrepreneurial or something that's in a specialty area that you're interested that you've also heard friends and family be interested in?
[00:04:50] Beryl: Our internship partners with Middle Tennessee State University for a master's in professional leadership, focusing in nutrition, but professional [00:05:00] leadership. We also partner with an MBA. We're helping our students diversify what they're doing. As they become a registered dietitian, they'll also have these valuable skill sets where they're able to either start their private practice or go into industry, something a little bit different if they select to do that. Hopefully that answers at [00:05:20] least part of the first question. Yes,
[00:05:22] Libby: that does. And so do you think that given the master's mandate and I agree with you about the diversification I am 10 years ago is what I'd be over 10 years ago is when I became a dietitian. It was extremely competitive as a landscape way back when for me.
[00:05:36] Libby: I do have a master's degree. In clinical nutrition. So, [00:05:40] looking back I do think that that diversification would've been amazing. I also did an internship that was based on school food. It was a distance internship and if they would've had a business internship, I don't even know if they did 10 years ago.
[00:05:52] Libby: But I would've loved that. That would've been amazing. I didn't know that. So I think what you're doing is incredible, and I know that your students are getting a lot of benefit, [00:06:00] so thank you for representing that. I guess the big question I have on this topic we can. So you've already given a tactical tip of diversifying your background.
[00:06:08] Libby: Is it worth it? That's the question I get the most. Like, is it worth it to become a dietitian at, given the educational requirement and some of the hoops that we have to jump over?
[00:06:18] Beryl: That's a really good [00:06:20] question. I don't think there's one answer. I think it depends on multiple factors. I'll give you my answer from my perspective.
[00:06:29] Beryl: I believe that if you want a career, that's. Very flexible, a lot of opportunity, very varied, also making a [00:06:40] huge difference in the world. Becoming a registered dietitian is an excellent choice. I don't think it's easy, and I think there are a lot of hoops you have to jump through. I think it's a lot of work, costs money, it takes time, it's a lot of stress.
[00:06:54] Beryl: And with that being said, the starting salaries for registered [00:07:00] dietitians is going up and it's going up at a pretty good rate. In addition to that, there are tons of opportunities that are not traditional that are going to award a registered dietitian with a master's degree, a really good salary. And so what we're seeing from our graduates who [00:07:20] are even going into traditional clinical jobs.
[00:07:23] Beryl: The starting salaries are much higher than they were even just a couple of years ago, so we're really starting to see that positive change and then our graduates who are starting their private practices are doing extremely well. So I think [00:07:40] that if applicants are hesitant because they've heard horror stories about doing all this work and then having really low starting salaries.
[00:07:49] Beryl: That is not always the case, and I think it's becoming less often, and what's happening more and more is that we're seeing salaries that are [00:08:00] commiserate with the work that you have to do.
[00:08:02] Libby: And why do you think that is, that the salaries have increased recently?
[00:08:06] Beryl: I think multiple factors dietitians now are really starting to speak out for fair salaries.
[00:08:13] Beryl: So that's 1 factor. I think that there are fewer registered dietitians in the marketplace now, which is [00:08:20] also driving up salaries. I know like, for example, if when you come out of school, if you're able to move. You can get a sign on bonus. You get relocation, you get all these perks that in the past didn't even exist.
[00:08:34] Beryl: And there are also jobs. Some of our graduates do this traveling registered [00:08:40] dietitians. If you're flexible and you can do this job, well, you can start out and you can probably make six figures right off the bat.
[00:08:47] Libby: And that takes a special personality. So I just want to say that having these opportunities was unheard of a decade ago when I became a dietitian.
[00:08:54] Libby: Unheard of I was competing with people that already had 2 years clinical experience. I was [00:09:00] offered really low salary jobs. There wasn't so many dietitians again in New York City is very saturated. So, it's amazing that now these opportunities have become more like traveling dietitian. I don't know if that's always been a thing.
[00:09:12] Libby: I've heard of it once or twice in the last decade, but I don't know that it's as popular as it is for a traveling nurse. So that's not for everybody because you have to [00:09:20] have the flexibility. And I mean, if you do have a family, that's something you have to navigate as well. But it's a really cool opportunity.
[00:09:26] Libby: So it's nice to know that because of economics for supply and demand, less dietitians We have to hospitals have to fulfill that whatever their requirement is for dietitians and visits that they need to see for their performance. So that meet that would drive up [00:09:40] the salary.
[00:09:40] Libby: So that is interesting to hear from your perspective. I guess I wanted to ask a little bit about. Your thoughts to with these venture back to companies. We've got a nourish and there's a lot of chatter among people in our community. A lot of our clients will do stay on the side or something of that nature, and it is impacting, I'd say, the desire for our clients to [00:10:00] start their own business because work for one of these companies, or they like the fact that they just do client facing care and they don't do any of the back end.
[00:10:07] Libby: How will that impact the field in your perspective?
[00:10:09] Beryl: I think it's great because it gives more accessible virtual nutrition one on one counseling for clients across the United States. I [00:10:20] think it's really helping clients and patients and that's what's most important. at baseline. I think for registered dietitians that have somewhat of an entrepreneurial spirit, signing up to be a team member or provider under these platforms is such an excellent way to kind of start [00:10:40] dabbling in what Private practice is.
[00:10:42] Beryl: I think it's also a really good side gig for someone that maybe does have a traditional job, but wants to get a little bit of experience with telehealth and virtual one on one counseling. I think that the the venture based groups are going to drive awareness.
[00:10:57] Beryl: So it's ultimately going to [00:11:00] help private practices too, because then clients and patients across the country will know this is an option. I think it's really important for private practices then to market to their area, their geographic area because they will be competing with these National companies.
[00:11:18] Beryl: But we found [00:11:20] to that people really like to meet with someone that they can, like, connect to that, you know, the whether it's they know where their office is or they know where they're from. So that's a good way to, like, stand out. But ultimately, I think it's a good thing.
[00:11:33] Libby: So thank you for sharing that.
[00:11:34] Libby: Most people do not share that sentiment that I speak with about these Venturebacks companies. [00:11:40] The reason being, and it could be, I agree with you that the mission of, if we think about dietitians being seen as an expert, which is the Academy's vision. If we think of us helping more people, right? The end user.
[00:11:50] Libby: Humans, Americans that want to improve health outcomes, various health outcomes, whether they be chronic disease or eating disorder related, it's great that we have licensed professionals providing [00:12:00] care. I also agree. It's a great sidekick for somebody with entrepreneurial spirit. I guess the issue that I have is that these venture backed companies, we're talking 100, 200 million backed by some of these companies.
[00:12:10] Libby: Private practice has a really hard time. Even a large group practice doesn't have the ad spend. They don't have the marketing dollars that these venture backed companies do. [00:12:20] So when you're looking at online marketing landscape, that can be challenging if you're on a directory or if you're looking to rank for SEO and you're finding all these.
[00:12:29] Libby: Dietitians from Faye and Barry Street are popping up that can be challenging. So that does go back to what you said about making those local connections, but that still leaves people in the online landscape [00:12:40] competing with the marketing dollar that they can never compete. You cannot compete with a company that has 200 million backed.
[00:12:46] Beryl: I hear what you're saying. Well, we don't necessarily have time to go down this rabbit hole, but traditional marketing is really evolving quickly and social media is going to be more and more [00:13:00] powerful. The Google searches are going to start to decline and the searches on Instagram, Tik TOK.
[00:13:08] Beryl: Amazon are going to really start to go up. It's really important to have a strong social media presence because that's the way that smaller private practices can [00:13:20] successfully compete with these bigger companies and you and I know. Advertising on Facebook and Instagram doesn't have to cost that much money.
[00:13:28] Libby: Yeah. And I hear you with that. So that's interesting one way. And also there's, you know, website, SEO directories, but yeah, I mean, obviously we're big fans of social media. And that would be a whole other [00:13:40] podcast episode, right. To explore that. And this is all new and evolving.
[00:13:43] Libby: That's just. My perspective in terms of what does the private practice do in addition to meeting and connecting locally whether it's a doctor or someone that refers to them through insurance or even cash based connecting with your community to get referrals and get your name out there.
[00:13:57] Libby: And if we're looking at online, yeah, social [00:14:00] media and growing your presence is definitely one area for the digestion to double down on for sure. So, overall, as what you're saying here, if I'm getting this correctly to summarize is that you think diversification is important because dietitians that have, let's say, an undergrad, they have the foundation in nutrition, but [00:14:20] then they might get their masters in business or internship like yours, which is a business focus are going to have to diversify.
[00:14:25] Libby: More real world experience to apply. I'm saying this that is going to help them improve their confidence. And it's also going to perhaps help them stand out as well. Additionally, you're saying that dietetics is a flexible career where the [00:14:40] salaries are increasing, but it's not an easy career trajectory.
[00:14:43] Libby: Yes, and the way you're saying that you think these venture back companies are a good thing because they're bringing brand recognition to private practices and the name registered a licensed professional registered dietitian and then we're talking about how, you know, the kind of getting into the weeds about what does that mean for your online presence, social [00:15:00] media, and how That is evolving in the next coming years in terms of how we search for things, how consumers are searching for information and solutions online.
[00:15:07] Libby: And you're saying that building a social media presence will help you stand out if you decide not to work for one of these venture backed companies. And you're still trying to drive traffic to your practice or your sales, whether that's a digital product or you own a solo practice or you're part of [00:15:20] you or the owner, or you work in a group practice, anything else I left out in terms of your summary for Is it worth it to become a dietitian?
[00:15:27] Libby: The landscape, the future of dietetics.
[00:15:29] Beryl: That was an excellent summary. And I want to just make one additional point about competition. Competition is good. I want everyone to feel empowered with [00:15:40] competition and welcome it. It doesn't mean that private practices are going to lose all their clients or not have enough clients.
[00:15:49] Beryl: Ultimately, we need to drive more awareness to what registered dietitians do, the benefits of working with a registered dietitian, because if you think about [00:16:00] how many RDs there are out there, and then how many people are in the world,
[00:16:04] Libby: sure,
[00:16:05] Beryl: there's plenty of work for everyone.
[00:16:07] Libby: Absolutely. I fully agree with that. And I didn't know 5, 10 years ago that this is what would happen to make dietitians become seen as an expert. I wouldn't have guessed that would have been venture backed companies. Right. That have this month, [00:16:20] this high amount of marketing dollars for spend.
[00:16:22] Libby: I mean, I know there's more than that, but I'm still going to say that that's, that's been to me very interesting that they've been able to pick up so much traction and we'll have to see how that unfolds.
[00:16:32] Beryl: Yeah. More to come. Really interesting.
[00:16:36] Libby: So thank you for your reflections, Beryl. If you want to just remind folks where [00:16:40] they can find you and connect with you.
[00:16:42] Libby: I know you've been on air before, but if you just want to close this out and then we'll wrap up. Sounds good.
[00:16:47] Beryl: Let's see. Listeners can follow us and connect with us. on complete business dietetic internship. That's KBD internship. And then our wellness company is called be complete [00:17:00] and that's complete with the K.
[00:17:02] Libby: Awesome. Thank you so much for all. It's been a pleasure.
[00:17:04] Beryl: Thank you.
[00:17:05] Libby: Looking for support to grow your dietitian business or even get started, I invite you to join the library, our monthly affordable membership that shows you exactly what to do every step of the way so that you can create the business of your dreams. Not sure [00:17:20] if it's the right time, the membership gives you an option to.
[00:17:23] Libby: Go at your own pace. We have modules, a roadmap to show you exactly what to do and monthly live calls, as well as new content that we release every single month based on requests inside of the library. We have four stages of business. So whether you come in getting started or you want to enter the [00:17:40] membership and grow or scale your business, we have the appropriate resources for you.
[00:17:44] Libby: And our team, including myself available to answer your questions, head on over to dietitianboss. com and check out the library today. We'd love to see you there.
