Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Kalfayan.
Anna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up with a love for food. When I was about four years old, my dad would take me to a different restaurant each week and I tried all sorts of new and exciting foods. I always ate pretty healthily, but it wasn’t till I got to college when I really kickstarted eating clean. I had severe psoriasis (auto-immune skin condition) flare-up and had breakouts all over my body. I turned to a Naturopathic doctor to help me solve my skin issue. Over the course of two years, I saw my skin heal dramatically. I cut out all processed foods and focused on eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. My skin healing was just one of the many benefits I discovered from clean eating. I was getting sick less and my energy boosted. I became passionate about nutrition and knew that I wanted to educate people about it. I am now on my way to completing my Registered Dietitian certification from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been bumpy, but I was prepared for the academic journey that lays ahead of me. There are long nights of studying and sacrifices that have to be made in order to receive a dietetic certification, but it is COMPLETELY worth it. I know that with this education I will be able to help people become self-sufficient in living a healthy lifestyle.
If you are just starting your journey, I would say to hit the ground running. If there’s something you’re passionate about and want to share it with the world, create your platform and do it. You can learn and fine-tweak as you go.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bananna Eats – what should we know?
Currently, I am a full-time student and use Instagram as a way to share healthy eating tips and tricks. I really want that space to serve as a place of education. I really enjoy sharing what I learn in school with my audience and creating recipes that they can use on a weekly basis. I hope to eventually work one on one with people individually to help them reach their nutrition goals. There are so many areas I could go into and I am going to explore these options as I go through my program.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Yes, I think women face many opportunities. One of the ways women are well-positioned for opportunities is through the use of social media to share their story. There has been a rise in career opportunities for women who are looking for part-time work while staying at home with their kids. Women are creating their own small businesses, selling products on websites like Etsy, or creating blogs. Social media platforms like Instagram allow users to share life’s moments in real time, causing audiences to find this content extremely relatable. Women are well positioned for these opportunities because they can have a flexible schedule that does not require them to be in an office from 9-5.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.banannaeats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bananna.eats/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Anna Kalfayan
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