We recently connected with Anna Kolomitseva and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

When I decided to launch Independently Healthy Wellness & Coaching (IHWC), it was a clear and strategic move. I had just relocated to Georgia after years of practicing in Canada within a regulated medical framework. I saw a real opportunity to create a care model that was more flexible, education-based and future-facing. Not reactive, but truly preventative. That became the foundation of Independently Healthy Wellness & Coaching.

From the beginning, I knew I wasn’t building this alone. While I held a vision, I brought in the right people to help bring it to life. Designers, legal and financial advisors and mentors in business strategy were all part of the early team. I wasn’t just creating a solo practice. I was building a brand, a culture and a client experience that reflected clarity, integrity and depth. My role quickly evolved from clinician to strategist, creative director and team leader, which felt natural to me.

One of the biggest challenges was establishing a business structure that honored my clinical backgrounds while staying fully compliant with Georgia’s regulations. I also had to train my team to communicate clearly and legally, especially around our consulting scope. Every internal system from on-boarding to billing had to be designed with flexibility.

If I could go back, I would delegate earlier and trust my instincts more. Professionals often feel the need to do everything themselves in the beginning. But strong leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about communicating vision, setting priorities and empowering others to carry the mission forward.

For anyone thinking about starting their own practice, I’d say this: don’t just build a service, build a business. Be international. Know who you serve and how you solve problems in a way that only you can. Think like a founder from the start. When your message, your systems and your mission are aligned, your work speaks louder than any marketing ever could.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Dr. Anna Kolomitseva (“Dr. A.”), a Connecticut-licensed naturopathic physician working in the field of functional wellness. I am the founder of Independently Healthy Wellness & Coaching (IHWC) located in both Georgia and Connecticut. It is a concierge-style wellness consulting company that provides long-term support to women navigating hormone shifts, burnout and complex metabolic concerns. Our clients are often high-functioning but exhausted, frustrated by vague answers and looking for the deeper “why” to their health struggles.

My path into this field started in my twenties. I was preparing to present my atmospheric chemistry thesis when I suddenly lost my voice. A friend suggested I see a naturopathic physician. Cupping brought my voice back within 48 hours. Not long after, I found a lump under my arm and was told it might need surgery. That same naturopathic physician identified it as an inflamed lymph node. It resolved within just a few days with a homeopathic preparation. That experience shifted everything. It taught me to look at the body differently, to listen instead of override and to respect the body’s ability to self-correct when properly supported.

Today, our company offers two signature frameworks. The Stop Dieting Method is a 12-week program designed to stabilize blood sugar and end all-or-nothing food cycles. The Independently Healthy Method is a concierge-style wellness framework that support long-term transformation. These include coaching, progress check-ins, functional testing and custom meal planning created in collaboration with our nutritionists. Our approach is clear, compassionate and designed for real life.

In 2025, we expanded into Connecticut, where we now provide care under full naturopathic licensure. Across both locations, our team offers high-touch support through a legally sound, results-focused model. We regularly receive referrals from OB/GYNs therapists and wellness professionals who trust our systems-based approach to care.

Our work has been recognized with the Best of Georgia Award and the State of Georgia Power Women Award and featured in national publications like NDNR and Authority Magazine. What makes me proud is not just the outcomes we see, but the way our clients feel through the process: supported, understood and finally moving in the right direction.

At IHWC, we are raising the standard for functional care. We believe clarity, structure and innovation should be part of every health journey. That’s the work we do everyday.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think that the reputation we were able to build came down to three things: clarity, consistency and results. From the beginning, we focused on doing one thing really well and that is helping women get out of survival mode. No gimmicks. Just high-integrity care that delivers steady progress.

Education has played a big role. Whether it’s our masterclass, published case studies or the way we walk clients through their wellness plans, we try to make the complex feel simple and actionable. That level of transparency builds trust and it keeps the work grounded.

We also built relationships in the local community. In Georgia, I volunteer regularly at The Place of Forsyth Food Pantry and in both Georgia and Connecticut, we’ve stayed active in the professional landscape. We support the work of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Georgia Association of Naturopathic Physicians and The Connecticut Association of Naturopathic Physicians. We also built a strong referral network by having ongoing conversations and brunches with local holistic clinics, therapists and physiotherapist offices. Those face-to-face connections matter and they’ve helped us as collaborative and dependable.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A significant pivot came after we had already established IHWC in Georgia. We were seeing growth, but also starting to recognize patterns: many clients needed more continuity and support than a consulting-only model could provide. They weren’t just looking for information. They needed structure, accountability and a clear transformational path.

Instead of continuing the session-by-session model, we restructured how we delivered care. That meant redefining roles within our team, designing a more intentional client experience and building systems that could support deeper engagement over time. We brought nutrition support for meal planning, created internal protocols to track progress and shifted out operations from reactive to proactive.

That pivot not only improved client outcomes, it allowed us to scale thoughtfully. It gave our team more clarity and laid the groundwork for our expansion into Connecticut, where we provide naturopathic care under full licensure. What started as a small shift in how we worked became a complete evolution in how we serve.

Looking back, the lesson was clear. When something isn’t quite working, it’s not a sign to push harder, it’s a sign to Pause, listen and lead differently. Pivoting gave us room to grow with intention and build a model that reflects both our values and the realities of what clients actually need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ih-wc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracefullyhealthing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihwellnesscoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihwc/