Small Business Q&A: Nutrition Source

Mark Pozin opened a sports and nutrition supplements store after working for years as a personal trainer.

Q. What's the hardest thing about being a small business owner in Northeast Cobb?
A. The responsibility of running your own business; you have to establish your clientele and get them coming back for more. I try to establish that through service, which has declined in this country. You talk one-on-one with people and try to meet their needs, rather than sending them through some automated telephone system.

Q. What's the best thing about your job?
A. Not working for someone else. I don't like eight-to-five jobs. I don't like to have someone else breathing down my neck. This allows me to be responsible for my own fortune.

Q. What is the best thing about Northeast Cobb?
A. The people are friendly around here. They're genuine. They don't have any artificiality about them. It's a busy area, which usually attracts clients. The economy has hurt, especially in businesses like mine, but I have a clientele that stands by me.

Q. Why did you choose to open your business in Northeast Cobb?
A. When I was looking to go into the supplements business, the guy that I had bought my supplements from in Woodstock had a store in the area. He was looking to sell. I figured it would be better to start with a store that was established rather than starting from scratch.

Q. Why did you pick this particular kind of business?
A. I guess when you're deciding to go into business, you choose something you know well. I've been a personal trainer for years. I've been training since age nineteen. I have always used supplements to improve my health. I figured I'd help others to do the same.

Q. What are some of the services you offer that people don't know about?
A. I actually offer a delivery service to some gyms in the neighborhood, including L.A. Fitness, Cosmos, and SFX where I train my clients in Roswell. People call in, I deliver. I'm pretty sure I'm the only supplement store in metro Atlanta that offers delivery.

Q. What advice can you offer to someone thinking about starting a small business?
A. You have to make sure it's something you love, and something you know well. With supplements, there are hundreds and hundreds of products. You have to be prepared for a lot of work, red tape, and risk at the beginning. Just be sure you're ready for the responsibility of working for yourself.

Q. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
A. I pretty much sell everything from vitamins and minerals to cleansing and detox. I try to offer the best service possible. My knowledge is second to none. I can come up with a solution that matches with my products. I focus on the individual, unlike corporate businesses.

Nutrition Source is located at 2550 Sandy Plains Rd NE #325, Northeast Cobb. For more information, call 678-905-4135 or email nutrsource@gmail.com.