Patricia Holguin
Dieta Perfecta Mediterránea
Tell us a little about yourself: What field do you work in and how did you get there?
Perfect Mediterranean Diet is an innovative venture on food education. I have a degree in Law, but for family reasons I have always had a great interest in addressing the problem of overweight and obesity, which in the healthcare world has become a true pandemic.
What were your business beginnings?
In 2010, motivated by a personal interest, I did a very in-depth research on the Mediterranean diet elevated to cultural, intangible heritage of humanity, confirming that the entire scientific community. I basically agreed that this diet is the optimal nutritional plan for humans, both in losing weight and maintaining it. I learned a lot and from there, it occurred to me to shape an innovative methodology of accompaniment, support and motivation to learn to eat and live better, based on our Mediterranean culture and healthy eating. An education-based approach to prevent post-hoc health intervention. I began to carry out social work on my own, teaching and tutoring other people, and thus, in four or five years I had founded, without even intending to, the first food education school in the world. Little by little I built a multidisciplinary team basically of women, made up of doctors, psychologists, nutrition experts and physical activity professionals, with a very effective structure, which allowed us to begin training thousands of people in food education.
Did you have someone to lean on?
The truth is that I didn't have anyone to lean on, I didn't have a mentor or anything like that, just a very clear vision of the problem and the educational deficiencies in general, in Spain, in Europe and in the entire world, obesity still being currently the number one public health problem worldwide.
Did you have a mentor? Were you lacking knowledge or skills? If so, how did you acquire them?)
The truth is that at the beginning I lacked all kinds of skills, since my education is in law and I had never undertaken anything, but as a result of exhaustive research and my personal experience with this topic, I knew perfectly well what social needs were without cover and somehow I knew that I could provide an educational solution to the problem.
Why is the "green", i.e. ecologically sustainable dimension of business important to you and why do you think that other entrepreneurs should also deal with it?
Without a doubt, my greatest motivation has always been to be able to help society as a whole by providing sustainable, ecological, effective and innovative solutions and logically seeing that the methodology I was creating was effectively helping other people so effectively, this gave me the strength to continue. developing it and dedicating myself with all my strength to doing it better every day, with impressive results of success.
What advantages does entrepreneurship bring to your life compared to a job?
Well, above all, the great advantage of entrepreneurship is being able to truly contribute to the development and improvement of social problems. I am referring to entrepreneurship with a social purpose, as is the case with the Perfect Mediterranean Diet. It is great to be able to do our little bit in building a better future for Europe and the entire world. Providing solutions is excellent, as well as advancing research and of course improving employability by creating new jobs and ways of serving society, thanks to the innovation of content necessary to achieve a valid comprehensive education and even more, necessary for everyone. the ages.
How do you promote your products?
From our website dietperfecta.club and social networks, as well as presenting educational proposals through the Erasmus + program, we disseminate and promote our courses and training.
Is online marketing important to you and, in your opinion, is it important for entrepreneurs in general?
Online marketing is undoubtedly essential when it comes to being able to communicate our products to the greatest number of people and institutions possible.
Are you involved in any way in building your customer community?
Yes, every day I am more aware of the importance of creating communities from which all types of interpersonal associations can arise, as well as between legal entities that in themselves are social actors. As women, I believe we have a unique ability because of our natural roles, and this makes us important contributors to building fully sustainable communities. We should actively create strong foundations in society where people support one another to achieve shared goals. By encouraging collaboration and focusing on caring for the environment—which is essential for our health and well-being in every aspect, from clothing and food to the world around us—we can make a meaningful difference.
What advice would you give to ladies starting a business?
That they dream big, always seeking the common good and that they do not give up even if they see obstacles along the way, which there will always be, that they overcome them with strength and that they attack on all fronts, especially if they work in businesses that improve the lives of people. the people.