Danbury Business Spotlight: Simple 7 Nutrition

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series we’ve kicked off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Simple 7 Nutrition, LLC
Owner: Debbie A. Magney
Website: simple7nutritionCT.com
Address: 412 Main St., Danbury, 4 Main St., New Milford

How did you come up with the name?

During the time I was studying nutrition I heard a piece on the radio or read somewhere that a business name is more memorable when a specific number is attached. I thought about it and the idea came for Simple 7. I liked the similarity of sounds in the s’s. During the 3 years I was studying nutrition I came up with ideas of how I could use the letters in the word ‘simple’ for the program itself.

Each letter would represent what would be learned in that seminar. For example, the ‘s’ is for ‘starting out’. The ‘I’ is for ‘information gathering’, the ‘m’ for ‘meal planning’, etc.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

The location was truly providential. I knew I didn’t want to operate out of my home. Also, I believed that having a ‘store front’ would add more professionalism to my business. I was talking to a friend one day and she asked me what I was going to do when I graduated. Where was I going to set up shop. After we talked about my ideas she suggesting getting in touch with the owner of New Directions in Danbury. Although my first choice was to have something in my town so that I wouldn’t have to commute too far, this location proved to be ideal.

It’s only 20 minutes from home, very close to the exit 5 on I-84, and very visible. It is close to Ridgefield, Bethel & I even have had clients from Newtown. Also the interior of the building is beautiful, a very professional appearance. It was perfect!

I still had the desire to work close to home. So after doing a little bit of inquiring I was able to find 4 Main St., in New Milford. It’s 2 minutes from home, also very visible, right on the green & it has a very nice, professional appearance, too.

Briefly, what business are you in?

My main focus has been the ‘simple 7’ seminars. Each seminar focuses on the role of toxins and our health. There are a total of 10 seminars & only 4 deal directly with food. So our ‘everyday exposure’ to toxins is not all about food. Each seminars identifies a few more ‘everyday exposures’ to toxins and also supplies the ‘simple’ approach to eliminate and/or replace those products, etc.

I also do one-on-one nutrition counseling. This is a more personalized session, depending on the individual’s health concerns.

Also available are ‘in-home toxin audits’. These ‘in-home’ evaluations are to discover the toxins found in an individual’s home. Once identified suggestions are given on how to eliminate, or live in a less toxic way, with the current items found in your home.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Probably the most difficult challenge has been getting the word out about my business. Most small business owners have to determine how to best work with the limited funds available for marketing, etc.

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so I understand the challenges but finding the most practical way to deal with them is not always easy.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

Yes there were. During the time I was studying I was also working part time and also doing volunteer work nearly 20 hours per week. Trying to find the time to do everything plus completing coursework within the allotted time frame was challenging. A few times I thought about quitting studying because I knew when I was done I would also have to prepare the classes or seminars. And I also understood how most businesses take three to five years to become established which meant putting some ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ on hold.

Probably what kept me going was/is my desire to share what I know. Everyone that comes to my classes brings some knowledge to the table. But there is so much to learn to get our lives cleared of toxins so as to obtain ‘optimal health’. I knew I could help the people who couldn’t’ afford the ‘traditional or alternative’ approaches. That has been my goal from the day I began studying to become a nutrition counselor!

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

I’ve had so many. I’ve had many professional people in my classes. Some with doctorates, bachelors, etc. I have received such encouraging feedback from them. But I think my proudest moment was what happened after one of my ‘free’ seminars. (The ‘s’ for ‘starting out’ is always free)

At the end of every seminar I email all attendees a 3 question feedback questionnaire. The purpose is the tweak content for future seminars. I received back the following feedback from one of the attendees:

“Hi Debbie,

Overall, I thought your presentation was inspiring. I am a physician (pediatrician) who is currently working with a grant to provide Sustainable Health education to families with children. Environmental toxins are an important part of what I talk to patients about although it tends to take a back seat to nutrition and physical activity as those topics are easier for families to understand because they’re more “mainstream”. With the topic of epigenetics becoming more prevalent in the medical literature, the role of chemical exposure, especially prenatally, is even more poignant. Thank you!

Also, I thought you did a wonderful job of explaining the complicated topic of the endocrine system to those without the benefit of a medical background. Not an easy feat! And thank for telling us that those fragrances are phthalates!

I will be talking to our office manager about a possible program for the staff.

Thank you for your work. Please let me know when you are doing another presentation so I can steer people in your direction.”

D.D., MD

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

One of my attendees suggested having seminars with a shorter duration. At that time each seminar was divided up into 90 minutes, including a 10 minute break and a 10 minute question and answer session. The first 35 minutes presenting the problem and the concluding 35 minutes the solution.

I readjusted each seminar so that within each 45 minute session the ‘problem & the solution’ can be learned. It was an excellent suggestion.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

Fortunately, I have only had a few. I believe that each individual deserves to be treated with dignity. This requires at times that I share more of my time than I had intended to. But once I feel I have given the time I have available, I explain to the person my need to wrap up the conversation and the reasons why.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

I found this to be the most thought provoking question of all. Being that my business is in its’ infancy most of the time I spend is making the public aware of what I have to share. That means that for every hour of actual group seminar, I spend about 8-10 hours introducing the information to the public.

When people leave the first seminar, the free introduction, they go home with very valuable information that they can put into practice right away. Information that will help not only themselves but also their loved ones!

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.

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