Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kaitlin Nunamann, Founder of Eastern Counseling & Wellness, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Eastern Counseling & Wellness is a virtual private practice offering traditional counseling, yoga, and mindfulness training. My services target both emerging and older adults who are motivated to incorporate healing practices into their lives. Most of my clients are curious about how to utilize mind-body exercises to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression and increase overall joy and a sense of purpose.
Tell us about yourself
The seeds of my career as a therapist were planted in my early adolescence. Angsty, lost, and resistant to authority- I took the long route to healing. It wasn’t until early adulthood that I uncovered the powerful healing capacity of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Shedding my own symptoms of stress and anxiety informed the most effective strategies to guide others along similar journeys. I completed my master’s in clinical social work at Boston College, worked in the woods as a wilderness therapist for a few years, and finally started my private practice just before the world shut down in the fall of 2019. My greatest motivation is seeing the work “work.” My clients inspire me every day as I witness their resilience and strength as they lean into suffering and find their way out through conversation and skill-building.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My greatest accomplishment was believing in myself, despite the raised eyebrows of even my greatest cheerleaders. Owning a business was never written in the plan, however, it came together at just the right time. I leaned into the late nights learning about finance, digital marketing, and authentically creating a mission I could confidently stand behind. There was no business of social work course offered in my graduate program. This was a DIY, figure it out on your own kind of process. I often pinch myself and think- holy sh*t, I figured it out!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the greatest challenges is maintaining persistence and being innovative. It’s imperative to keep learning and assessing the needs of my targeted audience. Stagnation is the greatest threat to a successful business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Begin. There isn’t a better time to begin than right now. The greatest hurdle (and success) is asking yourself where to start and then going for it.
- Understand your market. Owning a business is competitive. You’re entering a market that may be flooded with others just like you. Consider how you will stand out, understand the needs and desires of your customers, and maintain authenticity.
- Play it safe. This may be a less popular suggestion- I’m okay with that. I started my business while keeping a contract with a previous employer. This created a safety net to rely on in case the business didn’t take off quickly. You don’t want to risk the roof over your head, so have a backup plan and have an honest assessment of your business’s financial trajectory.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.easterncounseling.com/
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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