Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Osmer, Owner of Carlisle Collective, located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business, Carlisle Collective, is a group psychotherapy practice for holistic, out-of-the-box therapeutic approaches. Our clients are expansive healers for whom traditional talk therapy might be too limited. Our clinicians offer many different approaches, including yoga therapy, play therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), brain spotting, walk-and-talk therapy, and many more.
Tell us about yourself
I knew I wanted to be a therapist as soon as I set foot in my first therapist's office at age 11. I love people and heartfelt connection, so it was a natural fit. I came into somatic-based trauma work a bit later in my career when I realized that my training in the cognitive components of traditional talk therapy felt too limited for most people. My decision to expand to a group practice was a result of the isolation I felt as an independent therapist during the pandemic. I missed the support and connection of seeing other therapists in my office. I became a clinical supervisor during the lockdown, which allowed me the opportunity to mentor, educate, and develop new clinicians. The skillset was a perfect combination for a group practice model; however, I was disappointed in the way that most group practices seem to be a lot of individuals working in isolation. I wanted an ethos of connection and collaboration. And so Carlisle Collective was born!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think my decision to hire my first employee felt the biggest to me. The decision to expand had only been a dream, with absolutely no plans in place. I had a therapist reach out and ask if she could come work for me, so I scrambled to get myself ready as soon as possible and took that leap. It allowed me to trust that growth can happen organically rather than being such a push- this set the wheels in motion for a tremendous amount of accessible, natural growth.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I'm sure everyone says this, but the hardest part is that your job is never done. I love what I do, and I'm always growing, so I could work all day and night if I wasn't intentional about my disconnection from work. Instead of digging in more or pushing harder, I get so much more perspective by stepping back.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take time away from work.
- Build a meaningful, heartfelt network of like-minded professionals.
- Hire a CPA that you like and trust.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.carlislecollective.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlisle.collective.tx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahosmertherapy/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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