Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amanda Belanger, Owner of City Wellness, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
City Wellness is a new multidisciplinary health clinic located in downtown Toronto. We offer a wide range of services such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage. Some of our most popular services are Thai massage and cosmetic acupuncture. Treatments are provided by regulated health professionals, and each session is unique to clients' needs.
Tell us about yourself
I started working in healthcare as a registered physiotherapist in 2015. In 2017 I traveled to Thailand and fell in love with Thai massage. I went back many times to train as a Thai Massage practitioner and eventually received my registered massage therapy license in Ontario. After working in the area for a few years and gaining a large clientele, I decided to look for a clinic space to rent in 2018, which eventually led me to our current location :). What motivates me every day is the feedback and support I receive from clients. Many of them have seen the hard work I've put into this for so many years, and I'm eternally grateful to have them by my side every step of the way.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I signed the lease for my clinic space in 2018; however only got possession on April 1st, 2020, the very first day of the first pandemic lockdown in Canada. It was extremely frightening for me to start a business in these circumstances, but I somehow got through with it, and I'm very proud of that.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you become a business owner, the business becomes your biggest priority. I treat clients every day from 8 am-9:30 pm, and when I return home at night, I do administrative work from 10 pm-1 am. I often have to turn down social gatherings with friends and family. I've had to push aside my health and fitness goals and delay family planning. I found this to be difficult as a young female.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your allies. You can't be good at everything, so find trustworthy people to assist you with the things you might need help with, such as accounting, marketing, renovations, etc.
- There are no days off, and you will be time-poor for a long time. 4 hours of sleep is a good day for me.
- Nothing will be perfect the first few years, and mistakes will be made, so don't be too hard on yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.citywellness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citywellness.to
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citywellness.to/
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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