Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jill Squyres Groubert Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist based in Arvada, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a clinical psychologist and executive coach in private practice in Arvada, CO. I provide in-person and online counseling and psychotherapy to individuals and couples. My ideal clients are gifted and creative people struggling with emotional or productivity challenges or those who want to make changes and improve their coping skills to live their best life.
Tell us about yourself
I used to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a staff psychologist. I never considered myself good "civil service material" because I'm high energy, seek novel and creative solutions to problems, and don't want to do things just because "that's always how we've done them." I was getting burned out and applied to move to a different department at the hospital where I worked, but the position wasn't funded. I decided if I was going to work really hard, I might as well work for myself, so I resigned from my stable government and started my private practice. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and it changed my life. I've worked very hard to build a good reputation and provide excellent services to my clients, and I've never looked back.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I actually have several things I'm especially proud of. The first is having my first book published this year, "8-Week Couples Therapy Workbook" by Rockridge Press. Before that, I was giving my TED talk "Why can't we be friends" which currently has almost 160,000 views. More generally, it's earning a good living, doing something meaningful, having flexibility, helping my clients lead better lives, and having a reputation that keeps me as busy as I want to be with a waiting list of clients who want to see me.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a small business owner, you're always "on." There's always email to check, phone calls that need to be returned, and billing that needs to be done. It can be hard to accomplish a good work-life balance. I have total flexibility, but there's always more to do. It's also hard to take long vacations because many of my clients can't go several weeks without a psychotherapy appointment.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a meaningful niche to make yourself stand out.
- Take your financial needs seriously. If you can't earn enough to live on after a couple of years as a start-up, it's a hobby, not a profession.
- When you can't fill your schedule with paying customers or clients, use that time to market and network.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.drjillpsychologist.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillSquyresGroubertPhD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillgroubert/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjsquyres
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillsquyres/
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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