We had the good fortune of connecting with Nadia Hanley & Melanie Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nadia Hanley & Melanie Simpson, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
So many people were already reaching out to us for nutrition advice, and we realized there was a real need for credible, science-backed guidance that was also practical and accessible.

One of the biggest decisions we made was to accept insurance because we knew cost was a major barrier for many people seeking nutrition support. The process wasn’t easy and has been one of our biggest challenges yet. However, we are so happy we did because it has allowed us to serve a much broader audience and make nutrition counseling accessible.

We already knew we worked well together—throughout our academic and professional careers, we collaborated on projects and presentations, and it became clear that our skills complemented each other perfectly. That foundation made starting this business together a natural decision.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We started our nutrition counseling practice to fill the gap in long-term nutrition support often missing in traditional healthcare, where efficiency outweighs continuity of care. Limited time in clinical settings made it difficult to truly connect with patients and guide lasting change.

Our practice allows us to focus on proactive, preventative health—empowering clients before issues arise. With so much misinformation on social media, nutrition can feel overwhelming and unsustainable. Many think they must give up what they love to reach their goals, creating a major barrier to success.

Our mission is simple: cut through the noise, simplify nutrition, and help people build realistic, lasting habits.

Some lesson we have learned along the way is to be patient in growth. It takes time to build a business, establish credibility, and gain momentum. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and staying committed to the long-term vision is crucial.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Houston is huge—so there’s no shortage of things to do! If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d want to give them a little taste of everything.

We’d definitely start with a walk in Memorial Park with our dogs or along the bayou, maybe grab coffee after and explore some local shops. At some point during the week, we’d hit an Astros game for sure (go ‘Stros!), and plan a boat day up in Conroe or head down to Galveston or Pier 6 for beach vibes and seafood.

For food—crawfish is a must if it’s in season, and I’d take them to one of my favorite BBQ spots like Truth BBQ, or The Pit Room. With Houston’s incredible food scene, there’s no shortage of amazing places to eat. Some of our favorites include Squable, BCN, Kiran’s, and Jun—but honestly, the list could go on and on!

We’d mix it up with a few cool local spots for drinks and maybe even a rooftop or two to catch sunset.

There are so many fun neighborhoods to explore too—Montrose, The Heights, Midtown. You could easily fill a week and still have more to do next time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to our amazing husbands for being our biggest supporters during this career shift! From stepping in as amateur photographers, to tackling all things tech, you’ve been there every step of the way. Your encouragement, patience, and behind-the-scenes help mean the world to us.

Website: https://www.hanleysimpsonnutrition.com

Instagram: @hanleysimpsonnutrition

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.