We had the good fortune of connecting with Noura Salman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Over my life, I’ve created MANY businesses: a financial software training company, a referral network called UseMyGuy, and a real estate portfolio of just under $2 million in residential condos. Now, I create and sell nutrition bars and provide health coaching internationally, and financial services to small business owners in the DC area. What do they all have in common: ME. They are each a compilation of my education, passions, and how I like to spend my free time. So these are basically businesses I would run, even if I wasn’t paid a dime; and I believe that’s how work/business should be. IT SHOULD BE FUN!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The best things in life: love, family, solid friendships, health, a thriving business, and any other accomplishment in your heart take work, grit, consistency, dedication, focus, and unwavering faith and positivity. Most importantly, they require a CLEAR vision and belief in a new world or paradigm that only YOU can see. The biggest challenge I have faced is the isolation that comes with “going out on your own” and paving your own path. This journey calls for many late nights and early mornings to work in peace, while the rest of the world sleeps and leaves you alone. It means saying “no” to A LOT! It means living in your own world to create the world you envision that does not yet exist. It would be far easier to do what everyone else is doing, but harder in the long run. It’s harder to put all of this upfront work in now, when my peers are enjoying life, finding a partner, having a family, and enjoying THE NOW, while I delay these pleasures of life to create a life full of ease and joy in THE FUTURE. For me, the best way to get through the journey has been to consistently take care of myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That means a lot of sleep, yoga, working out, massages, eating clean and nutritious food, time outside, journaling, praying, meditating, and leaning onto close friends and family who support and encourage my journey.

“Mama, Look at Me Now” – Tommy Sheehan, Noura Salman and Dean Kowalski at Tribal Council on the fourteenth and finale episode of SURVIVOR: Island of Idols airing Wednesday, Dec. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Screen Grab/CBS Entertainment ??2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would go for a run along the beach in South Beach on the boardwalk behind all of the iconic hotels. We would then end up at the Standard Hotel for an Ashtanga yoga class with Jaya, shower up, and then relax and recover by the pool with coconuts in hand, drinking our coconut water through straws and then scooping out the meat inside. We’d then order off of the Mediterranean plant-based menu, eat lunch, relax, sunbathe, swim in the pool and the head to the cold plunge for a long dip. We’d then head up to the spa and warm up in the sauna, steam room, and finish off laying on the hot Turkish marble. The other days would be spent on the beach, boating, with dinners outside, and dancing in the evening. What a life! I love Miami!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents are first-generation Lebanese immigrants who brought me, my sister and brother (who were all born and raised in London) to the U.S. for a new life, free from poverty and full of opportunity. They went above and beyond to give us everything we needed, without letting us feel those growing pains. But raising a family was expensive and time-consuming and took a hardship on their marriage. After 20 years of marriage, they got divorced and went their separate ways. Their story taught me that anything is possible but that time and money are your most precious assets to building the life and family you want. So, it was really my parents who unknowingly encouraged and motivated me to go into business for myself, to make my own money, on my time schedule, and call my own shots on how I would live my best life.

Website: NouraKnowsBest.com, SuperFreshies.com, LeanOutNow.com
Instagram: @NouraKnowsBest
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nourasalmancpa
Twitter: @NouraKnowsBest1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourasalmannouraknowsbest
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lean-out-now-miami-2
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj9lgvwL_NM9zt6eSRd98Tg