Books and Resources to Start Strong
Building a hormone and wellness consulting business requires both clinical knowledge and practical business acumen. These books provide the foundation you need to understand your clients’ health needs, establish credibility, and operate a sustainable practice.
The Hormone Fix by Claudia Welch
This book breaks down how hormones affect energy, mood, metabolism, and overall health in ways your clients will relate to. Understanding the root causes of hormonal imbalance helps you ask better questions during consultations and design more effective protocols. It’s also written accessibly enough that you can recommend sections to clients.
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The Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden
Hormonal health in women is one of the most common reasons people seek wellness consulting. This book provides practical, evidence-based approaches to menstrual and reproductive health that you can reference during client work. Briden’s protocols are specific and actionable, making it valuable for building your own service offerings.
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Why Isn’t My Brain Working? by Datis Kharrazian
Many hormonal issues are connected to brain health and nervous system function. This book teaches you to recognize patterns between cognitive symptoms and hormone dysregulation, which expands your ability to serve clients holistically. It also positions you as someone who understands the complexity of your clients’ conditions.
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The Business of Functional Medicine by Dr. William Davis
If you’re positioning yourself in the functional or integrative wellness space, this book covers the business model, client communication, and practice setup specific to health consulting. It addresses how to price your services, structure consultations, and scale without burnout.
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Equipment You Need
Your hormone and wellness consulting business doesn’t require expensive clinical equipment if you’re offering nutrition, lifestyle, and supplementation guidance. Your core tools are your knowledge, your client management system, and your ability to communicate clearly. Here’s what actually matters.
Computer and Software
- Laptop or desktop: You’ll manage client files, write protocols, research, and conduct video consultations. A reliable computer is non-negotiable. A mid-range laptop ($600–$1,200) is sufficient unless you plan intensive video or design work.
- Client management software: Track consultations, notes, follow-ups, and client progress. Many wellness practitioners use platforms like HubSpot (free tier available), Acuity Scheduling, or Vagaro.
- Video conferencing setup: Most of your consultations will be remote. You need a webcam (built-in or external), microphone (USB condenser mic is affordable and clear), and good lighting.
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Assessment and Tracking Tools
- Digital health tracking apps: Recommend clients use apps like Clue (menstrual cycle), MyFitnessPal (nutrition), or Oura Ring (sleep and recovery) to gather data between consultations.
- Biomarker testing platforms: Partner with or recommend clients use at-home testing services like EverlyWell, LetsGetChecked, or Thorne for hormone panels and nutrient assessments. You don’t need to buy these outright.
- Symptom tracking templates: Create simple spreadsheets or use forms to gather baseline symptom data from clients before consultations.
Reference Materials and Education
- Supplement reference guides: Print or digital access to Micromedex, Natural Medicines Database, or similar resources to verify supplement safety and interactions.
- Hormone testing interpretation guides: Downloadable PDFs or books that teach you to read hormone labs and understand reference ranges.
- Continuing education platform membership: Subscriptions to organizations like AFPA, ISSN, or specialty wellness academies keep your knowledge current.
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Office Setup
- Desk and chair: You’ll be sitting for consultations and administrative work. A comfortable, ergonomic setup prevents burnout and back pain.
- Notebook and pen: Many clients feel more heard when you take handwritten notes during calls rather than typing.
- Filing system: Whether digital or physical, organize client files, protocols, and research in a way you can access quickly.
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What to Buy First vs Later
Start lean and add tools as your client base and revenue grow. Spending money upfront on things you haven’t yet used is a common startup mistake.
- Month 1-2: Computer, video conferencing setup (webcam and mic), client management software. Budget $1,000–$2,000 total.
- Month 3-4: Biomarker testing partnerships (no upfront cost—you recommend and clients order directly) and supplement reference database subscription ($100–$300/year).
- Month 6+: Advanced assessment tools, specialized testing platform accounts, professional development courses, and branded client materials once you have paying clients and revenue to justify the expense.
- Do not buy first: Expensive testing equipment, retail inventory, or premium software you haven’t tested. Start with free or low-cost trials.
New vs Used Equipment
For most of your startup equipment, buying new is the better choice. Your computer, webcam, and microphone need to be reliable—failures during client consultations damage your credibility. These items are also inexpensive enough new that the savings from used versions don’t justify the risk.
Used items worth considering: office furniture (desk, chair, filing cabinets), books, and reference materials. Wellness consulting doesn’t require specialized clinical equipment that wears out or becomes outdated like lab machines do. Your biggest investment is your knowledge and time, not hardware.
Avoid used software licenses, as they often come with restrictions or licensing issues. Always buy direct from publishers or use legitimate free or trial versions.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Fast shipping on office equipment, microphones, lighting, and reference books. Use the links above for specific items.
- B&H Photo: Excellent for cameras, microphones, and video conferencing equipment with detailed tech specs and expert reviews.
- Wayfair or Overstock: Furniture (desk, chair, file cabinets) often cheaper than Amazon with comparable delivery times.
- Thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace: Used office furniture, bookshelves, and organizational tools at a fraction of retail cost.
- Direct from software companies: Client management platforms like Acuity Scheduling, HubSpot, and Vagaro offer free tiers or cheap starting plans when you sign up directly.
- Used textbook sellers: ThriftBooks, AbeBooks, and Alibris for wellness and medical reference books at lower prices than new.
- Professional organizations: AFPA, ISSN, and wellness coaching academies often offer member discounts on continuing education and reference materials.