We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miho Hatanaka a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Miho, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I had a big epiphany walking down SE Stark street in Portland, Oregon one day in September 2019. I was running my own private practice as a Registered Dietitian seeing patients for weight management through health insurance. I knew there was better way to keep people healthy and conventional health insurance model did not agree with what I envisioned for a healthy and vibrant community. So as I walked down the street, I dreamed about building a comprehensive wellness center where health practitioners are taken care of with integrity and kindness, in return our patients will be taken care of by happy and healthy practitioners. I’ve seen in the conventional health systems where practitioners are always busy and tired, I always questioned how can practitioners give high quality care when they’re burnt out? Also, the conventional health care model treats people who are sick and I believe it’s crucial to educate community about the importance of prevention. I saw the power of nutrition as Registered Dietitian to prevent illnesses. Our healthcare model is getting so expensive and feels like it’s going out of control, I believe the best health insurance is through quality nutrition and healthy habits. So now, I run a small wellness studio in Portland, Oregon offering massage therapy and holistic nutrition through mindful approach.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Miho Hatanaka. I currently run a wellness studio in Portland, Oregon called House Nine Wellness & Tea. We exist to expand connection through embodied wisdom. We offer a space for self-care in this fast paced and overwhelming world.

I have a background in registered dietitian. Health and wellness has always been an interest of mine, since I immigrated from Japan when I was 11 years old. The biggest culture shock moving to US was its food culture. I was shocked to see how school lunches offered pizza, chicken finger, and french fries for the kids. Whereas in Japan, there was a school dietitian and a full production kitchen in the school where they prepared, freshly cooked meals every day, which sparked my interest in becoming a registered dietitian to promote the power of healthy diets.

I’ve worked as a dietitian in a hospital, outpatient eating disorder clinic and a online health coaching start up after I graduating from Syracuse University. I also started my own private practice and got a certification as a Mind Body eating coach from the Institute of Psychology of Eating.
In my conventional education as a Registered Dietitian, I saw there was a huge gap between how we eat and what we eat. I was trained as a registered dietitian to to counsel patients on what to eat rather than how to eat.
Through Mark David’s Psychology of Eating course, I learned it is just as important if not more important to understand how to eat.
Nowadays people are so busy and there are so many information out there about what foods to eat, what vitamin to take, what diets you should be on and all sorts of intervention to be healthier. Which is confusing a lot of people.
In my practice, I clarify people’s confusion around food. I find that nutrition can be simple and optimal health can be achieved with simple strategies. I love working with patients to solve their frustrations and confusion about their health by addressing their root cause and tap into their innate wisdom. Our body has so much wisdom about what’s best for your body.

In 2019, I had an epiphany to build a comprehensive wellness center that offers a calm and beautiful space for self-care. My current business is my first step to build a more comprehensive wellness center. At House Nine wellness & tea, we offer variety of bodywork modalities, including therapeutic massage, Thai massage, Craniosacral therapy, and I offer a nutrition counseling with my mindfulness approach .

A lot of clients we serve these days are a lot of knowledge workers using their brains and and their intelligence for work. So I love how massage therapy can be a a great tool for people to re-integrate with their body and as an embodiment practice. At House Nine, we provide a calm and beautiful space for self-care. With each of our service we serve our in-house blended herbal tea that are formulated to complement our services.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

My journey with House Nine Wellness & Tea began with a vision: to create a holistic wellness center that integrated various modalities beyond my existing nutrition practice. This led me to explore existing businesses, and I stumbled upon TeaScape, a charming massage studio in October 2019. I’m a very curious person so I contacted the owner, I did not have intention to buy the business but simply to learn from her experience.

Our conversation was unexpectedly fruitful. We connected instantly, and she had persuaded me to buy the business. I was very hesitant at first but I saw the potential and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to start on my dream. Despite limited capital, her offer of seller financing presented an exciting possibility.

Soon after, the previous owner suggested if I’d be open to a partnership. Turns out that a massage therapist, Sarah, who worked for her had shown interest in purchasing the business. The previous owner saw how we’re complimentary in skills and had a similar vision for a comprehensive wellness center. I agreed to meet with her and now we’ve been in partnership together for the past four years. We moved forward decisively, finalizing the purchase agreement and eagerly anticipating our closing in January 2020.

The unexpected arrival of the pandemic dramatically altered our plans. Forced to temporarily close our doors, but we utilized this unforeseen period to our advantage. We undertook physical renovations, meticulously re-evaluated our business model, and immersed ourselves in learning about the intricacies of running a successful small business.

This experience underscored the importance of meticulous due diligence. I realized that a deeper dive into the previous owner’s financial statements, particularly regarding owner’s draw versus actual salary, would have provided a more accurate picture of the business’s profitability.

Despite this valuable learning experience, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. Building House Nine Wellness & Tea has been a journey of learning, adaptation, and unwavering belief in our vision. It’s a testament to the power of embracing unexpected opportunities, navigating challenges with resilience, and continuously striving for growth.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Continuous learning have been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. I believe that consistent self-improvement is essential for both personal and professional development. To that end, I’ve dedicated myself to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

Over the years, I’ve consumed countless books, each offering unique insights and valuable lessons. One of the most impactful books I’ve encountered is “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. Sinek’s emphasis on identifying and aligning with your core purpose and values resonated deeply with me. Understanding my “why” – to contribute to build a healthier community – has provided unwavering motivation and a guiding compass throughout my entrepreneurial journey.

“Setting the Table” by Danny Meyer offered a different kind of inspiration, I love his management philosophy – focusing on the human element of the business. Danny’s profound respect for his employees, prioritizing their well-being above all else, deeply moved me and cannot agree more to his approach. His philosophy of cultivating a strong, supportive team culture, where individuals feel valued and empowered, has significantly influenced my own approach to leadership.

Another book “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks is also a transformative read. This book challenged me to confront my own “upper limits” – self-imposed limitations that stem from past experiences and beliefs. Hendricks’ insights helped me recognize and dismantle these limiting beliefs, allowing me to break free from self-imposed constraints and embrace a more expansive vision for myself and my endeavors.

In the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey, the library was my primary resource. Today, I use platforms like Audible to conveniently listen to the books while commuting. YouTube is also another budget friendly resource with so many high quality educational resources. I highly recommend the “Diary of a CEO” YouTube channel, hosted by Steven Bartlett. Bartlett’s insightful interviews with successful entrepreneurs offer a wealth of valuable perspectives and inspiring stories.

This ongoing learning drives me to continuously evolve as a leader and a person, it’s amazing to see myself grow so much. I believe that by consistently learning and adapting, I can better navigate the challenges of the business world and contribute meaningfully to the success of my business and the well-being of those around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.housenine.com
• Instagram: @housenine.wellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/housenine.wellness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/15302064/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-nine-wellness-and-tea-portland
• Other: Instagram for Miho @mindfulmiho