Get To Know Us: Dietitian Entrepreneur Interview Part 1
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This is part 1 of a 3 part interview collaboration between two seasoned Dietitian entrepreneurs - Amber & Larissa - whose expertise in public health and research have allowed them to hone their skills to build creative businesses. Come along with us as we share our career paths towards becoming entrepreneurs! Click the YouTube link below to watch the interview or read the Q & A below.
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Introductions
Host: “Hello and welcome everyone! Today, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with two incredible individuals who not only bring their expertise as Registered Dietitians, but also showcase their entrepreneurial spirit by combining health knowledge with creativity in their businesses. Please join me in welcoming Amber and Larissa!”
Amber & Larissa: Smile and wave
Host: “Let's start by getting to know you both a little better. Amber, could you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue this path?"
Amber: “Hello everyone, I’m Amber Brown McFadden, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex. I’ve worked in research for the past 12 years on multiple contracts focused on the dietary assessment, food acquisition, and food prices in federal food and nutrition programs. For over 20 years, I’ve also been a freelancer specializing in photography, artwork, and custom made clothes, jewelry, and accessories.”
Host: “That’s really fascinating! And, Larissa, how about you? What led you to become a RD, and what experiences shaped your journey towards entrepreneurship?”
Larissa: “Hello all, I’m Larissa Loufman, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator based in the Research Triangle of North Carolina. I’ve worked for many years in the Maternal & Child Health, Community Health, and Research fields promoting population health in underserved communities. Over the last year, I launched my wellness business, The Global Harvest RD, to empower adults to live their healthiest, happiest lives through nutrition, gardening, and travel guidance.”
Amber: “Hi Larissa. I’m so excited to be talking with you today.”
Larissa: “Hey Amber, excited to be chatting with you as well!”
How Did We Meet?
Host: “Amber and Larissa, how did you meet one another?"
Larissa: “We met in graduate school - we were in the same dietetic internship and graduate class at the University of Texas School of Public Health.”
Amber: “Yes, back in 2010 at the Houston Campus. We spent a lot of time together with our classmates exploring local places, working on school projects, and socializing. I’m glad we’ve been able to keep in touch over the years. I especially appreciate being able to talk to you about a difficult situation I experienced during my clinical rotation and you being very supportive about that.”
Larissa: “I remember you always being calm and collected. Even then, we had a lot in common with our interests in nutrition and research. We both were graduate researchers doing similar work.”
Favorite Grad School Memory
Larissa: “What was your favorite grad school memory?”
Amber: “The entire program was very challenging, but we had a lot of good times together. I think that one time we had a Thanksgiving potluck was really nice.”
Larissa: “Yes, I think our schoolwork and internship kept all of us very busy, but we still found time to spend together. I really enjoyed bonding with our internship class. Every one of them were extremely smart and motivated.”
Career Overview & Highlights
Host: “So shifting gears to your career paths, Amber, can you give us a brief overview of your career so far?”
Amber: “While I was a graduate research student at UTSPH, I applied for a job opening for a dietary coding supervisor at Westat, an employee-owned research company. I applied for it and have been there ever since. I wanted to work in public health, a field that impacts a lot of people to help improve their lives. At Westat, the motto is Better living through research. The research group I am a part of focuses on research supporting federal nutrition programs which are the most far-reaching programs organized to reduce hunger and promote healthy nutrition throughout the country. The research we do helps to quantify how far that reach is and just how much of an effect these programs have, which is essential to their existence!”
Larissa: “It’s really cool that you have been in the same company since we graduated. Can you talk a little more about your current position?”
Amber: “Right now, I am a Senior Research Associate at Westat. In my line of work, roles often shift according to our research needs, but I mainly serve as a Supervisor in the Dietary Assessment Team where we focus on dietary assessment, food acquisition, and nutrient database projects. Essentially, our company collects data about the food that people choose. Our team trains data collectors to contact people in the study. After that we categorize the food data into quantifiable measures and create reports that estimate nutrient intake for the study population. We also do research connected to food prices. Over the years, we have completed a lot of different studies with different data collection methods via websites and a mobile app. Right now, I won’t get into the details, but feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more.”
Host: “That sounds so interesting Amber. Thank you. Larissa, can you tell us about your career path?”
Larissa: “My first position as a Registered Dietitian was for the Women, Infants, & Children Program (also known as WIC). This was a great experience that helped me build expertise in the areas of maternal and child health, lactation support, and community work. During that time, I served as a county leader for a state-wide initiative to reduce infant deaths and promote women’s health. That work led me to accept a position at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where I led a community-based program to improve health in underserved communities. I also later shifted to a job conducting community research with the same goal - to help families in need. My research expertise helped me land work as the Family Medicine Research Manager at the University of North Carolina (UNC).”
Amber: “And now you have started your own wellness business! When did you decide to make the jump?”
Larissa: “Yes, I contemplated the career change for a few years prior to actually launching my business. After years of work in non-profit and community settings, shifting to work as an entrepreneur was a huge change for me! I think we all realized during the Pandemic that life is short and we shouldn’t be afraid to pursue something we want to do. This is one of the main reasons I decided to ‘Go for it.’”
Thank you for watching and/or reading along! Please stay tuned for the next two installments of the interview which will be released in the coming weeks.
~Larissa & Amber
Let’s Connect- To learn more about Amber’s Business, Mystery Maracuja, go to www.mysterymaracuja.com or follow her on Instagram at @mysterymaracuja!
Suggested Citation: Loufman, Larissa M. Dietitian Entrepreneur Interview Part 1: Get To Know Us Series. (September 15, 2024). The Global Harvest RD LLC, 2024. Available at: https://www.theglobalharvestrd.com/resources/articles/dietitian-entrepreneurs-interview-part-1.
Author Bio
Larissa M. Loufman, MPH, RD, LD, CLC, CCRC is a Registered Dietitian and Public Health Professional with a passion for healthy living & supporting people in their wellness journey’s. As Founder & Owner of The Global Harvest RD, she empowers others to discover their healthiest & happiest lives through nutrition, gardening, and travel.
Follow Her Online
Website: www.TheGlobalHarvestRD.com
Etsy Shop: TheGlobalHarvestRD.Etsy.com
Instagram: @The_Global_Harvest_RD
Disclaimer: Although Larissa holds the designation of Registered Dietitian (RD), it is important to clarify that she does not provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) through this website and her company, The Global Harvest RD. The information presented on this site is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It is crucial to recognize that nothing within this site or the resources provided should be construed as professional medical advice. Readers are advised that the author assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from actions or the failure to act based on the content found on this website. It is emphasized that the information presented here is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any health conditions. For personalized medical advice, it is strongly recommended to consult directly with your local healthcare or medical provider team to make sure that this advice is right for you.
