Build a Dream Team: Shannon Simmons on Values-Driven Hiring for Health & Wellness Professionals

Want to build a thriving business in the health and wellness industry? It starts with building the right team. As Zig Ziglar wisely said, “You don’t build a business, you build people. People build the business.”

In this episode of Growth Amplifiers, I chat with Shannon Simmons, founder of Fit for Profit and a Profit First Professional, about the critical importance of team building and values-driven hiring in the health and wellness space.

Shannon’s journey is inspiring. She discovered Profit First early on and quickly realized its potential to transform businesses. She then niched down to focus on the health and wellness industry, driven by a passion to help these professionals build profitable and sustainable businesses that make a real difference in the world.

Key Takeaways

• Profits Matter: Many health and wellness professionals struggle with pricing and profitability, often prioritizing helping people over financial sustainability. Shannon emphasizes the importance of building a profitable business to ensure long-term impact and personal well-being.
• Face the Numbers: Fear of numbers is a common challenge in this industry. Shannon encourages professionals to embrace their financials and understand how their decisions impact their bottom line.
• Values-Driven Hiring: Shannon shares a powerful lesson she learned about the importance of hiring for values alignment. She emphasizes that skills can be taught, but values are deeply ingrained and essential for building a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Don’t Fear Change: Shannon bravely shares her own experience of parting ways with team members who weren’t a values fit. She highlights the short-term pain but ultimately emphasizes the long-term gain in terms of peace of mind and team synergy.

Interview Highlights

The “I Just Want to Help People” Mindset:

“We hear all the time, ‘But I just want to help people and I can’t charge what I’m… what I’d like to charge because then I’m not able to help people.’ That one really grinds me.” – Shannon Simmons

Key Insight: While a noble sentiment, undervaluing your services can lead to burnout and business failure, ultimately limiting your ability to make a lasting impact.

The Power of Profit First:

“[One client] was able to take a three month maternity leave from her business, pay herself her full salary while she was gone, and not log into the business whatsoever. Which… isn’t that why we go into business, to have that freedom and lifestyle?” – Shannon Simmons

Key Insight: Profit First empowers business owners to achieve financial freedom and create a business that supports their desired lifestyle.

Building a Values-Driven Team:

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned… with team is it comes down to your values and interview for values. Get a values alignment. You can teach skill.” – Shannon Simmons

Key Insight: Hiring for values creates a strong foundation for a cohesive and high-performing team.

Final Thought:

“Values and alignment. I mean, you just really know who you are and stay true to yourself.” – Shannon Simmons