Shelton Business Spotlight: Kim Bensen Weight Loss Center

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series we’ve kicked off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Kim Bensen Weight Loss Center
Owners: Kim Bensen
Website: https://kimbensen.com
Address: One Greenwich Place, 889 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton CT 06484

How did you come up with the name?

After a lifetime of being morbidly obese (350 pounds), I lost more than 200 pounds and have kept it off for 10+ years. The Weight Loss Center uses Options®, the weight loss program I designed to help me lose my weight. The online meal planner easily helps members create daily meal plans with their favorite foods and recipes (or ours) that are registered-dietitian perfect without them having to have the education of a nutritionist. It’s simple, fun, delicious and, most importantly, gets results.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

Shelton has been my home for many years. Our new location is conveniently located to the corporate parks and shopping area for our Shelton residents. It is also convenient to Routes 8, 15 and 95 connector for members in surrounding communities.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Weight Loss and Healthy Eating.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Having to move three times in five years as we’ve grown!

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

There have been many challenges as our business has grown, but I have never once second guessed my decision to do the important work we are doing.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Any time a member reaches their goal weight are the most rewarding for us. And fortunately it happens frequently! Many have tried with other programs for years and keep losing and regaining the same pounds over and over again. When they hit goal, well, it doesn’t get any better than that.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

Actually, the many tools on our website were designed and built with the input of our members, which is highly unusual for a business. But it’s their input that has made the program and site so successful. When they have an idea for a new feature in our meal planner, it is oftentimes put into place. Specifically we have integrated a Helping Hands group where members give back once they’ve reached goal. Now others still on their weight loss journey have mentors and accountability buddies to help them.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

Everyone is impatient when it comes to getting the weight off! If I had to pick a difficult aspect of dealing with our members it would be keeping them from getting too emotionally attached to the scale and weigh ins. While that is one aspect of losing weight (and the most measurable), focusing on behavior will give them the results they’re looking for with greater speed and less mental anguish.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

We host free seminars to help our community neighbors better understand the weight loss journey and steps they can take to live healthier lives. We also have periodic events.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.

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