Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Davrielle Valley, Founder of Evolvinu LLC., located in Plantation, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Evolvinu is an online counseling practice dedicated to the GIVERS! The person that gives their everything until they feel broken. The individual who feels burnt out or lost. The one that is carrying all their family's baggage may have ended up taking a wrong turn. We aim to provide a safe space for you to heal, grow and evolve by transforming relationships with yourself, others, and your future generations.
Utilizing various wellness-based counseling techniques focused on Trauma, Anxiety, and Family dynamics, the process entails reflection, authenticity, and the breaking of multigenerational patterns. It will be an emotional journey of self-discovery, where you become vulnerable, not only with us but especially with yourself.
We do not assume that something is wrong with our clients. Instead, we believe that clients have the strength to overcome their obstacles. Therefore, we present as a guide and team member as they embark on their journey of finding their inner power. It's time to embrace your metamorphosis and evolve into a new you!
Tell us about yourself
As a person with Dyslexia, I struggled early in my academic career. What came naturally for me, however, was providing the space for my family and friends to gain emotional strength. I quickly learned that intrinsic empathy could be a superpower or a weakness if not harnessed well. This GIVER was tapped out! I had to unpack all my familial baggage and discover how to heal my emotional wounds. Now, I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Clinical Traumatologist, and I get to help fellow GIVERS learn this balance of self-love too. There is nothing like seeing the radical transformation of a client enter feeling broken and leaving with unshakable confidence and self-worth. My clients are my greatest teachers, and we form a beautiful bond with tears and laughter, which is why I never work a day in my life!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It may sound simple, but for me, it has been the ability to provide jobs for young mothers. Many mothers naturally fall into the category of GIVERS. The balance of trying to raise a family but also contribute to the household can be pretty tricky. Being a small company predominantly online, it worked well in meeting the needs of our staff. As a business owner, of course, I am happy to see my clients thrive, but I am just as proud to see the investment we make in the lives of our staff members.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Sadly, business isn't taught in other professions unless you attend business school. It is not easy to open a company, but keeping it open is even more difficult. I've realized that it doesn't matter how great your idea or vision is; it means nothing if you do not have financial literacy. You often have to learn on the job, and mistakes can be pricey.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I am still making mistakes, and I am still learning, but these three things have been a necessity:
- Don't stunt your growth! Be open to growing your financial literacy. You don't have to go and earn an MBA. Whether it's through books, podcasts, mentors, or advisors. You can make the best investment in your business through financial education.
- Surround yourself with a great TEAM! You can often start by yourself as an entrepreneur, which is fine. But the idea is scalability. Learning to delegate can be difficult when your business is like your baby. But to grow and develop into something that can take care of YOU, you must start by letting go. Start small and get an assistant. If you can't afford it, provide a voluntary position and advertise it at a university. Then, as your business grows, hire professionals for things like your marketing and accounting. Yes, you should be learning about these things, but it's okay to notice your shortcomings and hire someone more intelligent in a subject than you! Spending the money for quality will always be cheaper than the cost of correcting your mistakes.
- Not everyone will believe in your vision, and that's okay. When you get a business idea, you may be so excited and want to share it with all of your family and friends. Unfortunately, the response that you get may be somewhat lackluster. Honestly, it can knock the wind out of your sails! You may expect that they would support you by sharing your posts or telling someone else about your service, and this expectation can leave you disappointed. It's not their vision. It's yours! Yes, you want to share it with others, and that's great; it just may not be them. You'll have to network and find fellow visionaries with whom you can form a community.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Running a business can be a 24/7 job. Make sure not to lose yourself in the process. Instead, take time for rest, family, and fun. What's the point of working for yourself if you can't enjoy it anyway.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://evolvinu.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evolvinu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvin_u/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolvinu-llc/
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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