Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hannah Dorsher, Founder of Hannah Dorsher Counseling, LLC., located in Fort Collins, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I own a private mental health therapy business in which I primarily specialize in helping people with attachment issues, anxiety, self-esteem, and trauma. I also am starting up my coaching business as well. I am excited about helping moms revive their identity after having children and improve their sense of self-confidence, power, and lust for life. I will be hosting a retreat for moms in the fall of this year (2023) and am so excited to get to dive in deep with these ladies! On the side, I also create guidebooks, workbooks, journals, and cards of a mental health variety to help people with their self-work. I will be releasing courses this year as well. The courses will range in topics from attachment to identity and will mostly be self-led, with options to book individual session calls with me to accompany the course.

First and foremost, my clients are amazing! I am truly honored to be invited into so many incredible peoples' worlds. I enjoy working with people in person and virtually, and in my coaching business, I can see people across the US and the globe!

Tell us about yourself

First, I am a mom (and dog mom), a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a therapist, and a coach! I love my many roles and feel exhilarated in different ways by each. I love trying new things and traveling to new places. I am a Colorado native and absolutely love the weather, mountains, and being outside. I find myself most filled up by spending time in nature and getting out as much as I can hike, bike, kayak, swim, garden, etc. I love spending time with my husband and kids and our two dogs. I love decorating and am constantly finding new ways to make our home more beautiful. I love baking and cooking, music, reading, working out, and relaxing with a glass of wine after eventful days.

Initially, during college, I planned to get my bachelor's degree in biology with the goal of going to medical school to become an oncologist. However, halfway through my sophomore year, I had a change of heart. I attended a presentation put on by the local police about substance abuse and realized I really had a strong interest in substances and how they affect people and their lives. At this time, I was also an avid "Intervention" watcher. It seemed to click all at once that I could be a substance abuse counselor and help individuals and families affected by substance abuse. This put me on the path to getting my bachelor's in psychology, and then I went on to get my master's in counseling.

I worked at various agencies involving substance use (a residential rehabilitation center for teens, a 24/7 crisis center, and helped start a suboxone clinic for opiate abuse). After a few years of being in the substance abuse arena, I ended up taking a job at a private group practice where I was able to work with a large variety of clients—beyond substance abuse issues. It was here that I recognized a passion and talent for helping people with attachment issues, trauma, self-esteem, and anxiety. I also started learning more about attachment styles and emotional abuse in relationships. Through my learning and my own therapy and mentorship, I was able to examine certain relationships in my own life and make changes that were truly life-saving. My passion for helping others do the same ignited! Once I got married and then quickly got pregnant, I desperately wanted control of my schedule to prioritize my family, and I wanted the freedom to niche down in my specialties.

So, in June 2020, right in the middle of COVID, I decided to leave my job at the group practice and start my own private practice! I have NO regrets. None! Starting my own business has been the biggest source of freedom, professionally and financially. I love the ability to choose my specialties, invest in developing my skillset in those areas, build my schedule around my life (instead of the other way around), and I get the freedom with coaching to expand my client base and be creative in the ways I choose to help women. I leave each day feeling energized by my work and truly grateful for my clients and their trust in me to help them achieve their goals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I really feel proud, honored, and lucky to be able to work with so many amazing clients in such intimate, profound ways. It is incredible to watch how changes my clients make in their inner lives have such a positive ripple effect in their outer lives. I love being a part of this! I also love that I can help my clients better their relationships with themselves and others while maintaining a beautiful balance with my personal life. I feel like I can show up 100% to my family and to my clients because I have really built my business to work for my personal life. It's really been a dream.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

For me, prioritizing some of the behind-the-scenes pieces is a little difficult. I have gone on two maternity leaves since starting my business, and each time I come back, I feel like I must find a new flow for all of the office and marketing tasks. I enjoy those tasks, but it can be difficult to get into a consistent rhythm with them, especially when it has been interrupted once a year for four months! I also feel like I have so many business ideas running in my head all the time. Sometimes I neglect to fully focus on the development and execution of each idea before moving on to the next idea!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Talk to people who have done something similar. I met with a couple of therapists in private practice before launching my own business. It was so helpful, and I was able to avoid some of the mistakes they made along the way.
  2. Make your own business plan. I'm a planner by nature, so this step was super important for me to feel ready to make the jump into my own business. There are plenty of business plan templates available to help you think of all the things to consider in your planning process.
  3. DO IT! Stop waiting; just do it. I have ZERO regrets about starting my own business. I love the freedom, flexibility, creativity, and sense of pride that come with being a business owner.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.hannahdorshercounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_with_hannah/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahdorsherlpc/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.