Female Founder Name: Jennifer May
Business Name: Sydney City Nutritionist and Food Intolerance Australia
Website: www.sydneycitynutritionist.com and www.foodintoleranceaustralia.com
Tell us about your business. What products or services do you offer?: I am a Clinical Nutritionist and the founder of Sydney City Nutritionist and Food Intolerance Australia, two complementary businesses dedicated to helping Australians improve their health through personalised nutrition, testing, education and practical support.
Sydney City Nutritionist is my general practice, offering one-on-one consultations, workplace wellness programs, corporate presentations, health education services, nutritional testing and ongoing support. I work with clients experiencing digestive issues, food sensitivities, fatigue, weight management challenges, hormone imbalances, stress, burnout and other chronic health concerns. My approach combines evidence-based nutrition, pathology review, lifestyle assessment and personalised coaching to help clients achieve sustainable improvements in their health and wellbeing.
Food Intolerance Australia provides specialised testing and support to sufferers of food sensitivity and digestive complaints across Australia. We offer food intolerance testing, gut microbiome analysis and SIBO breath testing to help identify potential drivers of symptoms such as bloating, digestive discomfort, fatigue, headaches, skin conditions and inflammation. Clients receive easy-to-understand results, practical recommendations and access to professional support to help them implement meaningful change.
Alongside testing and consultations, I develop educational resources, online programs, books, webinars and workplace wellbeing initiatives designed to make health information practical, accessible and easy to apply. My mission is to help people better understand their bodies, uncover the factors influencing their health, and create realistic, long-term changes that improve energy, wellbeing and quality of life.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is mentoring nutrition students and new graduates. I enjoy helping emerging practitioners build confidence, develop practical skills and bridge the gap between study and clinical practice. New graduates are often filled with equal parts passion and self-doubt. Helping them back themselves and put their knowledge into action is incredibly rewarding, both for them and for the patients they go on to support.
What inspired you to start your business?: As a student nutritionist, I managed a multidisciplinary allied health practice. It gave me an incredible head start to my career. While many new nutritionists gradually build their caseload over time, I was seeing six patients on my very first day (between meetings related to a major clinic expansion and redevelopment project I might add).
The experience accelerated my learning, but it also highlighted where I wanted to focus my energy. Before long, I found myself spending more time managing people and solving operational challenges than working directly with patients. I had become the person everyone turned to for support, guidance and problem-solving. While I enjoyed leadership, my passion was always clinical practice and helping people improve their health.
Stepping out on my own allowed me to focus on patient care, while also developing an internship and mentoring program for nutrition students and new graduates. The subsequent 4-5 years were a whirlwind. I built a thriving practice across two locations and worked with a large and diverse patient base. Over time, two clear areas of interest emerged: helping people with chronic digestive issues and food sensitivities, and supporting those struggling with metabolic health and weight management challenges.
In 2018, while pregnant with my first child, I began looking for ways to make healthcare more accessible and sustainable. Many of my food sensitivity patients were travelling long distances, and some rural clients were even flying to Sydney to access testing and support. I wanted to reduce both the cost and inconvenience of accessing care, while continuing to ensure professional guidance and follow-up were provided during my maternity leave.
This led to the creation of Food Intolerance Australia. What began as a solution for my own patients has grown into a nationwide service, providing food intolerance testing, gut health assessments and personalised support to Australians regardless of where they live. Today, clients from metropolitan, regional and most remote communities can access testing and professional guidance from the comfort of their own homes.
How long have you been running your business?: SCN has been running since approximately 2012
FIA has been running since 2018
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in business, and how did you overcome it?: Becoming a single mum of two while running two businesses has been the biggest challenge of my career.
I am deeply passionate about my work and genuinely care about the people I support, but I'm equally committed to being a present and involved parent. Balancing the demands of business ownership with the realities of raising young children on my own has required constant adjustment, flexibility and resilience.
For a period of time, the compromise was my own health. Like many women, I became very good at prioritising everyone else's needs while pushing my own further down the list. A cancer scare was a turning point. It forced me to reassess what success looked like and recognise that looking after myself wasn't optional, it was essential.
Since then, I've become far more intentional about my time, energy and priorities. I've learned that there are seasons in business and seasons in life, and that capacity is not a fixed resource. Some periods allow for rapid growth, while others require a greater focus on family, health or recovery.
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to work to my capacity, rather than my expectations. Letting go of the idea that I need to do everything, all of the time, has made me a better business owner, a better practitioner and a better mother. It has also helped me build businesses that are sustainable, adaptable and aligned with the life I want to create for myself and my family.
What has been your proudest moment as a business owner?: One of my proudest achievements has been writing and publishing 'Diary of an Itchy Kid - Kiko's Story' with my daughter.
The book was inspired by her own experiences navigating eczema triggered by food sensitivities as a young child and was created to help other children feel less alone in their journey. As both a nutritionist and a mother, it was incredibly special to work alongside her and bring the project to life together.
What made the experience so meaningful wasn't simply publishing a book, it was seeing the impact it had on other families. Watching children connect with the story, hearing parents tell us their child finally felt understood, and reading feedback together with my daughter are moments I will never forget. Seeing the pride on my daughter's face as she shared "her book" with friends, family and readers was worth every hour we invested in the project.
The experience reinforced something I've always believed: education has the power to change lives, especially when it is presented in a way that is relatable, practical and accessible.
That project has also sparked a new tradition in our family. I am currently in the early planning stages of my next children's book, this time with my son. Together, we're exploring the challenges of managing big emotions and the connection between nutrition, gut health and emotional wellbeing. Combining my professional knowledge with my children's lived experiences has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I hope we continue these projects throughout the years.
What strategies have helped you grow your business?: I'd say in a nutshell it's being generous with your knowledge and excited to share. Whether it's in my newsletters, blogs, external articles, public speaking or even just one on one with a patient. It's the being passionate about how you can help and sharing it at every opportunity. I haven't always been the most strategic, however I've always shared with passion and I think this helps to overcome many of my weaknesses.
What tools or resources have been game-changers for your business?: That's hard to say after 16 years as I think there have been so many game-changers over the years.
Telehealth transformed my ability to work with clients across Australia, particularly those living in regional and rural communities who previously had limited access to specialised nutrition services.
More recently, artificial intelligence and automation tools have become incredibly helpful - whether it's helping me to explain things in more simple language, shortening a word count, or helping me be more present in a session. I definitely think AI has a great role to play in healthcare. Heidi - an AI transcription service has been an absolute game-changer this year. Allowing me to relax and have a natural conversation with a patient without worrying about note taking or missing important information. And for them they can relax too - knowing that a clinical summary will be provided shortly after the session, taking the pressure off their own note-taking or trying to remember everything said. I can also very quickly generate referral letters and categorise findings - even if we didn't discuss things in the correct order. It's definitely had an incredible impact on my enjoyment of consulting.
I'm also a huge advocate for professional networks, mentors and peer groups. While technology has helped me scale, the guidance, encouragement and expertise of colleagues, mentors and industry peers have helped me navigate challenges, make better decisions and continue growing both personally and professionally.
Ultimately, the most valuable tools are those that create more time, improve access to care and allow me to focus on making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Can you share one key lesson you’ve learned about managing finances as a business owner?: Perhaps the biggest lesson has been recognising that striving for profitability isn't greed; it's what allows a business to remain sustainable, continue helping people and weather the inevitable challenges that arise. A financially healthy business creates the stability needed to support patients, whilst also maintaining my own health and wellbeing. The more financially healthy my business is, the more resources, time and support I can offer - without burning out.
How do you balance the demands of your business with your personal life?: As a single mother of two children and the owner of two businesses, there are always more things I could be doing. Earlier in my career, I believed working harder was the answer. Over time, I've learned that sustainability is far more important than constantly operating at full capacity.
One of the biggest lessons has been recognising that small changes make a big difference. I prioritise sleep and usually go to bed when my children do. As a result, I'm up early, energised, and able to enjoy quality time with them before school. Family time is important to me, and I try to keep clear boundaries between work and home life.
I'm not afraid to block out time for school assemblies, sporting events, performances and the moments that matter most. At the same time, I've learned that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. I no longer put pressure on myself to attend every single event or say yes to every opportunity. Instead, I make thoughtful decisions based on what works best for my family and my capacity at the time.
I've also become very protective of my schedule. I don't accept work on weekends, before school, or after school pick-up, regardless of how attractive the opportunity may be. Those hours belong to my children. If an opportunity is the right fit, it will work within the boundaries I've established. If it doesn't, I trust that it wasn't the right opportunity for me.
Ironically, creating stronger boundaries has made me more effective in business. I'm more focused during work hours, more present with my family, and far less likely to experience burnout. I've learned that balance isn't about doing everything. It's about being intentional with your time and protecting what matters most.
What leadership qualities do you believe are essential for running a successful business?: I believe leadership is about service. Whether I'm supporting a patient, mentoring a new graduate, speaking to a workplace audience or developing educational resources, my role is to help others succeed. When you focus on creating value and making a positive difference, strong relationships, opportunities and business growth often follow naturally.
For me, leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating trust, staying true to your values, and helping people become the best version of themselves. This and setting yourself up with good support around you - so when times get tough, others can lift you up.
What role does mentorship or networking play in your business journey?: Mentorship and networking have played an important role throughout my business journey, although perhaps not in the traditional sense.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to learn from experienced practitioners and business owners who generously shared their knowledge, experiences and lessons. Their guidance helped me avoid common mistakes, build confidence and navigate challenges that would have been much harder to tackle alone.
As my career progressed, the role of mentorship evolved. While I still value learning from others, I increasingly found myself becoming the mentor. Supporting nutrition students and new graduates has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Watching someone move from self-doubt to confidence, and seeing them go on to make a genuine difference in people's lives, is incredibly fulfilling.
Professional networks have provided community which is incredibly important. Running a business can sometimes feel isolating, and having trusted colleagues to share ideas, challenges and successes with has been invaluable.
Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that success is rarely achieved alone. The support, encouragement and knowledge shared by others has helped shape both my business and the practitioner I am today. I'm grateful to have benefited from that generosity, and I try to pay it forward whenever I can.
What trends do you think will shape your industry in the coming years?: I believe three key trends will shape the nutrition and health industry in the coming years.
The first, and the one I'm most excited about, is personalised healthcare. Advances in gut health, microbiome testing, genetics, metabolic health, wearable technology and AI-powered analysis are allowing practitioners to provide more individualised recommendations than ever before.
The second is artificial intelligence. AI is already reducing administrative workload and improving efficiency, allowing practitioners to spend more time focused on patient care. We enter healthcare because we want to help people. AI has the potential to remove many of the tasks that pull us away from that purpose, creating more space for connection, compassion and meaningful conversations.
The third is a growing focus on prevention. As rates of chronic disease continue to rise, more people are looking for practical ways to improve their health before serious problems develop.
When all of these come together I believe we'll see a rapid shift for the greater good. While technology will continue to evolve, I believe the greatest opportunity lies in combining innovation with genuine human connection. People will always need trusted professionals to help them interpret information and turn it into meaningful, sustainable change.
How do you stay ahead of the competition in your industry?: I don't really think about this and never have - honestly. To me it's always been about how can I deliver the best care and the best experience for patients/clients in a way that is sustainable to me. I can be inspired by others and may adapt my protocols to aid in my goals but otherwise what everyone else is doing is really irrelevant.
Who or what inspires you in your business journey?: I'm incredibly inspired by the people I work with every day who continue showing up despite challenges. Many of my clients are juggling careers, families, health concerns and significant life stresses, yet they continue taking small steps towards a better future. Their determination, resilience and willingness to keep trying is incredibly motivating.
One of the greatest joys of my work is helping people enjoy life more through simple, sustainable changes to their daily routines. Whether it's a patient who is no longer living with pain, a mother who finally has the energy to enjoy time with her children, or someone who regains the confidence to put themselves out there after years of struggling with their weight or health, those moments are incredibly rewarding.
Seeing people achieve things they once thought were out of reach, and knowing I was able to play a small part in that journey, is what gets me out of bed every morning.
What books, podcasts, or resources have had the biggest impact on your professional growth?: This is a difficult question to answer because there hasn't been one single book, podcast or resource that has shaped my professional growth. I'm naturally curious and have an endless appetite for learning.
I listen to podcasts while walking, attend webinars almost daily, participate in industry peer groups, business mentoring programs, public speaking networks and women's business communities. I also work one-on-one with several mentors across different areas of business and personal development. I genuinely enjoy learning and am always looking for new ideas, perspectives and ways to improve.
As a healthcare practitioner, I believe ongoing education is essential. Health science evolves rapidly, and staying current allows me to provide the best possible support to my clients. At the same time, learning from people outside my industry has helped me become a better communicator, business owner and leader.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I've learned is that growth rarely comes from a single source. It comes from consistently exposing yourself to new ideas, being willing to challenge your thinking and remaining open to learning from the people around you.
That said, I do believe balance is important. After a day filled with research, webinars and professional development, you'll usually find me reading romantic fiction. I love the contrast. It allows me to switch off, recharge and return to work the next day with fresh energy and perspective.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?: A fun fact that surprises most people is that I almost didn't move to Australia from the UK 20 years ago because I was convinced I'd die from a spider bite. My grandmother, who loved spiders, reassured me that I'd be fine.
Fast forward to today, and thanks to my spider-obsessed five-year-old son, I've become completely fascinated by spiders.
My children and I regularly go spider hunting and have developed a particular fascination with redbacks. What started as an attempt to overcome a fear has turned into a genuine interest and one of our favourite family activities. I even considered getting a pet tarantula!
It's a good reminder of the importance of facing your fears. Sometimes I think about how different my life would be if I had let fear stop me from moving to Australia all those years ago. I'm also incredibly grateful to my amazing grandmother, who encouraged me to take the leap, even though she knew it would be difficult to have me living on the other side of the world.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your business?: I wish more people knew that my businesses are about far more than food intolerance testing or nutrition advice.
At their core, Sydney City Nutritionist and Food Intolerance Australia help people understand their bodies, regain confidence in their health and improve their quality of life. Testing and personalised nutrition are important tools, but they're not the end goal.
Many people come to me feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or convinced they'll simply have to live with their symptoms. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping them realise there are often practical solutions, and that good health doesn't have to be complicated or restrictive.
Ultimately, my businesses are built on education, support and helping people reconnect with what good health feels like.
Reflecting on your time in business, what is one piece of advice you would give to another woman to help her on her business journey?: My biggest piece of advice is to expect change and learn to adapt quickly.
Many women wait until they feel completely ready before taking the next step. In my experience, that moment rarely comes. Business is constantly evolving, and just when you think you've figured everything out, something changes.
In 2021, I had multiple client samples sitting in a laboratory when the testing service unexpectedly closed during a COVID lockdown. Within days, I sourced a new provider, coordinated alternative collections, updated processes, absorbed increased costs and revised every website page, resource and client communication required to keep the business running smoothly.
The experience taught me not to panic when things change. Instead, focus on solutions, create contingencies and keep moving forward. Two years later, when another provider closed, I already had backup systems in place and the transition took less than an hour.
I'd also encourage women to define success on their own terms. Build a business that supports the life you want to live, rather than sacrificing your life for your business.
Most importantly, don't underestimate the impact you can have. What feels ordinary to you may be life-changing for someone else.
How can people connect with you or learn more about your business? (e.g., website, social media, etc.): @sydneycitynutritionist
@foodintoleranceaustralia
www.sydneycitynutritionist.com
www.foodintoleranceaustralia.com
Anything you want to add that we might have missed?: Create a business and a life that genuinely work for you. One that reflects your values, your personality and your priorities.
You don't have to build your business the way someone else does, and you don't have to fit someone else's definition of success.
There is room for all of us to succeed by being exactly who we are. The people you're meant to help are looking for you, exactly as you are, not the version of you that you think they want to see.
