With a passion for natural health, Nikki Potts jumped at the chance to purchase her own natural health shop when the opportunity arose. After starting her career as a personal trainer, she knew she wanted to help others to achieve great health and wellness. As a qualified and experienced Naturopath, Nutritionist and Medical Herbalist, she helps her clients at Fusion Natural Health Clinic to understand what is happening with their bodies and to aid their recovery process. Passionate about hormones and fertility health, Nikki helps women to lead happy, healthy, balanced and fulfilled lives. Here, she talks about the inspiration behind Fusion Health and her business journey so far.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
From a young age, I was always inspired by my parents. I grew up watching them own and operate their own businesses and this insight made me want to do the same. I discovered my passion within the natural health industry and jumped when the opportunity to own my own natural health shop appeared. My drive to help people improve their health using natural methods, such as nutrition and herbal medicine, inevitably led me to increasing my knowledge and understanding further with a naturopathic qualification.
Naturopathy is progressing and developing in a way that truly excites me. Having the knowledge and understanding to apply natural medicine to my clients’ lives and see outstanding results is forever rewarding. Acting as a teacher, I help my clients to understand what is going on within their bodies and provide the knowledge and tools needed to aid the process of recovery and change.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
My journey in the health industry began with me working as a personal trainer.
Then, at the ripe old age of 23, I purchased my local Health 2000 store in Wanaka. Over the first 3 years of business, and jumping into the deep end, I went through many challenges, but also learned so much, so quickly.
My passion for natural health continued to grow and I wanted to do more. I sold the business so I could head abroad to study for 3 years to gain my naturopathic qualification. Once I had finished studying, I set up my naturopathic clinic, Fusion health. Then, the owner of Health 2000 Wanaka asked me if I wanted to buy it back, so I did! The health shop and naturopathic clinic work in synergy and I have been operating both for 7 years now.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Once I was qualified and started operating my naturopathic clinic, everything bloomed. My clinic grew so quickly, and the health shop became a trusted destination for natural health advice within our community.
