Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilana Koka.
Hi Ilana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was sick for a lot of my childhood, and health was never really something I felt like I had. I didn’t have energy, and low grade unwellness was just my baseline. I genuinely thought that was what life and health were supposed to feel like. So when I got to college and did all the typical college things, my health couldn’t handle it. I hit rock bottom, dealing with really bad anxiety and depression, and I knew I had to do something. One day I Googled how do you feel good, and it led me to information about food and how it affects how you feel. So I went to the store, bought some carrots, and that was the start of my health journey. I started reading books, listening to podcasts, and eventually changed my major. I ended uo studying nutrition and working at a wellness center. Later added a functional health coach certification, and worked at a wellness center for several years, all the while knowing I wanted to eventually start my own practice. Growing and evolving in my own health, physically, mentally, and spiritually, along with everything I studied, really put things into perspective for me, both personally and for how I ended up building my business.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. It was something I wanted to do long before I had a clear path to it. Working at that local wellness center taught me a lot about how a business actually runs, but figuring out how to be an entrepreneur hasn’t always been easy. There’s no rulebook for it, and every business and every phase needs something different. I think what’s carried me through is being almost delusionally optimistic that things can work out in my favor, and trusting that I can figure it out as I go. It’s all about learning along the way as is life.
Around 2020 I decided to travel and start my business at the same time, doing virtual corporate wellness on the road. There wasn’t a lot of stability in that, so I went back to the wellness center for about another year before finally going all in on Koka Wellness Group full time. In the early days, the business was built from nothing. no website. just word of mouth. I started with Club Koka, and the focus was originally just on nutrition. Over time it evolved into something much bigger, covering habits, lifestyle, mindful eating experiences at restaurants. and all the pieces that actually come together to create real, lasting health. Looking ahead, I see the business moving more into corporate wellness programs and group programs, along with more in person community experiences, since I love hosting those locally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part was starting from zero. Back in 2019 I was trying to build a website and it nearly broke me. I remember literally crying at my screen trying to figure it out. Tech has come so far since then that building a website now feels quick and easy, but at the time it was one of the biggest obstacles I faced. Beyond that, I had to learn how to network, how to build a business, and all the behind the scenes pieces like tech and design that nobody teaches you. Wearing that many hats and constantly switching gears between roles has been a real challenge in itself.
Learning to manage my time has also been an ongoing practice, along with learning to fully trust myself along the way. One of the biggest challenges though is that I’m running a health based business, which means if I burn out, the whole thing loses its point. So constantly practicing self care while also running a business is something I have to work at every single day. It’s not a challenge that ever fully goes away, it’s just something I keep learning to balance.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Koka Wellness Group is my functional nutrition and wellness coaching practice, and run primarily virtually. I like to describe myself as a fun nutritionist, not a regular nutritionist. My approach isn’t just about food, it’s about building the habits, lifestyle, that let people actually integrate health into their lives long term, rather than chasing quick fixes.
My flagship offering is Club Koka, a high touch one on one nutrition program, alongside Nourishment Academy, a group masterclass membership, and the Food Foundations Blueprint, a six week signature group program. I also run workshops, mindful eating experiences and corporate wellness programs!
What sets me apart is that I blend intuitive eating and functional nutrition with real systems and structure, because I believe health isn’t about learning more information, it’s about practicing consistently.
Brand wise, what I’m most proud of is that everything I’ve built comes from my own health journey. I know what it feels like to have zero energy and think that’s just normal, and I’ve built a business around helping other people realize it doesn’t have to be. I want readers to know that what’s common isn’t the same as what’s normal. If you’re a busy professional woman, a working mom, or someone dealing with fatigue, high cholesterol, or prediabetes, and you’re ready to actually feel good again, this is exactly the kind of work I do! also that waking up with energy is possible, sleeping through the night is possible and having energy throughout the day is possible 🙂
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I used Score.org, a free service that connects you with experienced business owners and executives, and that was a great starting point. I also joined a local BNI group, a local women’s group, and my local chamber of commerce. For me, it wasn’t just about finding one mentor. It was about finding other health and wellness businesses to grow alongside and lean on for community and support. My biggest piece of advice is to learn how to network, create new relationships, and keep nurturing them over time. Relationships are genuinely one of the most valuable things you can invest in.!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kokawellnessgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koka_wellness/
