We recently connected with Antwonéy Terrell and have shared our conversation below.
Antwonéy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Build a Better You, B.A.B.Y.
I remember like it was yesterday trying to come up with a name in my undergrad college apartment in 2014. I knew I wanted a name that would not only fit my mission but kinda explain it. So, I looked at my journey first. I knew that I took BABY steps in my journey and nothing changed overnight. I also wasn’t building from a place of being “broken” I wanted to change to just be the best version of myself.
I wanted people to know that any journey requires time, it’s a process and it’s not always easy. Also, just because we want change does not mean we are not already enough. You life’s journey is never ending so you will always be building a better you in some way. When we think about babies you think about how much we nourish, nurture and cater to them. Your body is YOUR B.A.B.Y. That same love should also be given to you along your journey rather that journey is physically, emotionally, spiritually, or mentally.
So I prayed and actually created my mission first and then the name popped in right after reading it. The mission have grown after the years but the name and meaning that I want for my current, past, and future clients is still the same.
My mission for myself and business is : Changing one’s lifestyle…one plate, one sip, one step at a time. Giving one’s body grace as you take B.A.B.Y. Steps to Building a Better You.
After creating the mission the name was birthed and the name have been the same since 2014.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Build A Better you was created in 2014 after obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from The Ohio State University. After graduating I decided I wanted to learn MORE but wasn’t always sure if nutrition was my calling so in 2016 I obtained my Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
During college and working in several corporate jobs fitness and learning about nutrition became my outlet. I was able to teach myself the basics of fitness and continue to use what I learned in undergrad about nutrition. What started as an outlet grew into my passion and inspired me to continue my education with the NASM CPT and Fitness Nutrition Specialist programs.
Although the credentials are nice I am actually a mother FIRST. My son has been with me during undergrad, grad school, and a host of certifications. I am most proud of him and how much we have been through together. I call him a business partner and he helps with a lot of my decision in my business. Crazy right? But after basically going to college with me he is wise beyond his years.
It funny because I actually tried RUNNING from nutrition for years after creating my business because I just didn’t know how to provide the services I had envisioned. I am spiritual and believe God has given us all a calling and purpose, no matter how hard you try, won’t stop thinking about it. That was nutrition for me. So, the true birth of Build A Better You happened during COVID lockdown. I started a small online group training class to just help friends get or stay active. That grew and people started asking about nutrition and it grew even more. So now I provide online nutrition coaching that helps individuals take BABY steps with their nutrition. I provide guidance on what to eat weekly with nutrition guides that include recipes, grocery list, and calories counts and more. They customized to their needs rather that is weight loss, gaining, or maintaining. My individual clients also have weekly accountability phones to discuss wins, challenges, and changes for the week. We focus on daily habits that will help them not feel overwhelmed. We also create a healthy relationship with their food and a balance lifestyle that still include the foods they love so much. We create meal preps that you enjoy from great recipes. I truly believe that you can have the things you love (in moderation) and still see results.
I want my clients and supporter to know that it’s possible and it’s okay to need help along your journey. Whatever dream, goal, and vision you have for your life you must work for it and as cliché as its sounds it possible. Don’t feel you have to change your entire life over night, start small and work your way up. If you are needing help, reach out and we can take BABY STEPS together.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There are so many times that I had to pivot in life. When you think about the meaning of pivots in your life, they don’t mean failure. It gives you a new opportunity for your visions and dreams to be reached. The biggest pivot was becoming a mother at a young age and still having dreams. I was told by teachers and questioned by family if I was going to be able to keep my full ride scholarship and be a mother. At the time that created so much doubt in my ability to do both. But I knew I could and had to do this, not only for me but for my son. So I did some research found a program that helped mothers during college called the Access Collaborative Program. This program was God sent, not only did it help me stay focus but it connected me with some of the most amazing, hardworking, and driven mothers on The Ohio State University campus. So at 18 years old I moved two hours away from my family and support to a new city, with a one year old, 0.50cent in my bank account, no license or car… all to chase a dream for become BETTER. Most people thought I would fail or thought I was crazy but sometimes you have to look crazy to others and bet on yourself when you have a dream.
Being a mother made the journey harder but not impossible. It taught me to ask for help when needed, taught me to lean on others, and taught me to always surround myself with like-minded individuals I could learn and grow with or from. But most importantly this pivot in life show me who I was and want I was capable of doing. So when life gets hard I think back on this moment in my life and know that I can and will be successful in anything I attempt because Ive done it before.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think what helped me build my reputation the most is my clients. They believe in the value of my work I provide the most and shared with their close friends and family. I continued to grow to the point I had to create a waitlist for my services. Another aspect that help me build my reputation is creating partnerships with other business in the fitness industry. I currently provide the nutrition component for several fitness trainers and we created a partnership that allowed their clients to get the best of both world’s with fitness and nutrition. Due to me currently not providing one on one personal training I often refer my nutrition clients out to them so we all win and grow in the end.
80+% of my business runs because of word of mouth not social media. I’ve coached in some capacity 143 people. I’ve literally helped people across the WORLD. I am still mind blown that I’ve had clients in Egypt, few from London, West Africa, Canda, and my name have been in at least 10+ US States, Maryland being the largest. This was all possible due to clients and them raving about how much Ive helped them along their journey.
The biggest take away from this is to just provide the best service you can no matter if it’s a free consultation or paid services. Create an experience that allow your clients to grow and learn and they will take you further by sharing what amazing experience they had with you. People never forget how you made them feel rather that’s good or bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: buildabetteryouhealth.com
- Instagram: buildabetteryou_baby
- Linkedin: Antwoney Terrell
Image Credits
ChristopherTraci Photography- any professional photos of me All other photos are from Client meal preps- Permission granted to use