Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lindsey Hutchings, Founder of LAH Counselling & Psychotherapy Ltd., located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am in the business of helping people learn how to feel better. Through intentional reflection, I work with the client to help them identify their strengths, problem areas, and available resources. Together we develop a plan to reach the client's goals, and I support them as they implement the plan they created. My customers include anyone ready to work on themselves.
Tell us about yourself
While working as a mental health nurse, I saw an overwhelming need for psychotherapy services. Even though it was a minor part of my nursing responsibilities, the focused one-on-one time was my favorite part of being a nurse. I decided to concentrate my nursing practice on psychotherapy because I genuinely believe it is one of the most effective ways to help people improve their situations.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a nurse, my traditional practice setting has been a part of a team. Becoming a business owner has been challenging as I adjust to the multiple roles self-employment demands. Creating websites, managing social media accounts, marketing, and administrative duties on top of managing my nursing responsibilities has been such an opportunity for growth and an incredibly rewarding experience.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
With so many other businesses getting established, it has been a challenge to get noticed in the crowd. My background is health care, not marketing. I have a valuable service to offer, and I know there are people who would benefit from my treatment but connecting with those clients has been difficult.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be Patient: When you start, you will do a lot of work without seeing my reward. Don't be discouraged. Enjoy the slowness because the business will pick up before you know it.
- Be Persistent: Reminding yourself of your motivations can help when the going gets tough. Unanswered emails, new fees, never feeling certain about what you are doing. It's all part of the learning (and growing) process. Keep going.
- Do your research: There is so much to learn and so much to do that we have to be efficient with our time. Taking the time to see what people have done before, what checklists have already been compiled, and what resources are available can save you plenty of time getting established.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lahcounselling.ca/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3bSgXem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lahcounselling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahutchings/
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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