If you’re wondering how to start a wellness business in 2025, I have one word for you: bedbugs.
Okay, not really. But if you’re ready for the real story of wellness entrepreneurship—the kind that doesn’t show up in a polished Instagram reel—then keep reading. Because I’ve been there. I’ve tried to build the empire. I’ve failed. I’ve risen. I’ve pivoted more times than I can count. And now, I guide others on this path.
If you’ve ever tried to figure out how to start a wellness business, you’ve probably been hit with ads for $10K courses, cookie-cutter strategies, or social media hype.
So here’s what it’s really like to walk the winding road from passion to paycheck, purpose to profit, and burnout to breathwork.
From App Dev to Ice Baths: The Not-So-Linear Path
My entrepreneur journey started in the tech world. I built a fitness app. It actually made sales. Success, right? Not quite. The revenue didn’t even cover my rent. I call this business purgatory: a place where you’re doing something that kind of works—but not enough to thrive.
I partnered with a best friend, but our visions clashed. He wanted perfection. I wanted paying customers. It all came to a head with legal issues and a messy exit. Lesson learned: 50/50 partnerships, especially with friends, are landmines.
So I pivoted.
I became an app consultant. Hired devs. Found clients. Made $30K in a month. I thought I cracked the code. But the industry changed. Clients dried up. I was back in scarcity mode, watching my expenses overtake my revenue.
Airbnb Hustler, Bedbug Nightmare
To pay the bills, I rented out rooms on Airbnb. Then entire condos. Then multiple units. It worked… until it didn’t.
One night, a guest called: “There are bedbugs.” The property manager found out. I was breaking laws and lease terms. I faced eviction, shame, and a sinking feeling in my gut that I’d crossed a line with my values.
Fear followed me for months. Every phone call felt like a threat.
The Health Scare That Changed Everything
Then came the chest pains. I was fit, but my heart was racing, literally. I didn’t know what was wrong. So I did what many do: I watched a health documentary and went vegan.
It helped—a bit. But I lost muscle, libido, and confidence. That’s when I discovered Bulletproof, Dave Asprey, and the world of biohacking.
This wasn’t just another diet. It was a paradigm shift. I went deep—fasting, red light, breathwork, clean eating, and more. I got certified as a Bulletproof Human Potential Coach and worked at Upgrade Labs in LA. I found my passion.
[ Read more about my health journey here ]
Enter the Wellness Wantrapreneur
So I did the thing. I launched my coaching business. I made a website. I offered sessions (mostly free at first).
Eventually, I sold a 3-month package for $2,500. I ran fasting courses and breathwork workshops. I helped hundreds of people feel amazing—especially in the ice bath.
But revenue was inconsistent. Clients came and went. I didn’t yet know how to market premium offers. I was still a wantrapreneur: passionate, committed, and scraping by.
Thailand, Tears, and a New Chapter
In 2018, I met my now-wife in Thailand. I moved there in 2019. I had $40K in debt. I had to borrow money from my dad just to make the move. That moment broke me.
So I found remote app work again, faked it as a senior developer, hired a secret subcontractor (busted!), and eventually got fired after a huge production mistake. I was crushed—again.
Resilience and Redirection
COVID hit. I hosted donation-based breathwork + ice bath events. Some days $75, some days $0. I did it anyway. I kept showing up. I moved back in with family. I tried affiliate marketing. I paid for coaching. I took risks. Some failed. Some lit a fire.
One client stayed with me for 3 years. One workshop brought in 7 people who said it changed their life. These weren’t just business wins—they were human wins.
And that’s when I knew: I’m here to help others do this the right way.
How to Start a Wellness Business in 2025 (Lessons from the Real World)
You start by getting real:
- Real about your skills
- Real about your money
- Real about what you’re willing to risk
- Real about your WHY
Looking back, I didn’t know how to start a wellness business—not really. I had passion, but I lacked strategy, support, and structure.
You don’t need another $10K course. You do need community, clarity, and support.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when learning how to start a wellness business is trying to do it all themselves without guidance or community.
You need someone who’s walked the path—fallen in the holes, dodged the scams, and still believes in the mission.
Ready to Go From Wantrapreneur to Zenpreneur?
If you’re a coach, healer, creative, or just someone craving freedom and purpose through wellness work…
Let’s talk.
I offer a free Zenpreneur Clarity Call where we look at:
- What lights you up
- What’s holding you back
- And how to build a business that actually supports your life (not drains it)
Book a free Zenpreneur Clarity Call today, and get personal guidance on how to start a wellness business that actually works for your life.
You don’t have to go it alone. This path is wild. But it’s worth it. Let’s walk it together.
Jason Ryer
Certified Bulletproof Human Potential Coach
Zen Strength Coaching
Biohacker. Breathworker. Business Builder.