Rachel Merkle Shares About Merkle Wellness Solutions
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
"It’s so much better to be able to build a business here in the community I grew up in…," said Rachel Merkle, owner and operator of Merkle Wellness Solutions, a virtual nutrition education and counseling service. Rachel shared her deep appreciation for the community’s support and encouragement.
Rachel and her husband grew up in the area, graduating from Clinton-Massie Local Schools. After moving to Northeast Ohio for college, the two “bounced around,” but eventually came back to the area five years ago. Rachel attended college to become a dietitian, gaining experience at the Cleveland Clinic, Mercy Health, and others.
Eventually, Rachel felt “disenfranchised” in a hospital setting, due to the goal of getting patients “in and out really quickly” and not having time to work with them. This, in addition to having her second child, led Rachel to think about her next step. She read a book about entrepreneurship and nutrition, spoke with family, and was inspired to form Merkle Wellness Solutions. In June of 2024, her LLC was formed and she was referred her first patient.
Through her nutrition counseling, Rachel provides a “warm, welcoming, nonjudgmental environment.” She offers a free 15-minute introductory call for clients to share their goals and determine if her services are the right fit. The process begins with an initial appointment, ranging from 60-90 minutes, that dives into a patient’s medical history, food habits, daily life routine, exercise history, sleep patterns, hydration, struggles, and more.
Rachel stated that after the initial consultation, she often starts with nutrition education, helping clients learn more about the food groups, macronutrients, and more. She then determines a “highly individualized plan," considering their needs, goals, and insurance coverage.
Rachel’s nutrition counseling services can serve clients with diabetes, prediabetes, weight management, PCOS, gastrointestinal issues, hormonal imbalances, food allergies, and more. She also accepts insurance and offers discounts for those without insurance.
As for general tips, Rachel recommended incorporating three food groups into most meal and encouraged balance.
To learn more about Merklel Wellness, visit merklewellnesssolutions.com.