Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanya Rust, founder of T.Rust Counselling, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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

T.Rust Counselling exists to help people grow in their understanding of themselves and to learn how to extend compassion and kindness towards the parts of them they've ignored or dismissed. Clients are from various provinces, which is one of the benefits of working online! I work with trauma, life transitions, anxiety, burnout, chronic illness, chronic pain, grief, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and more!

Tell us about yourself

I opened my private practice in Montreal in 2018. I had been going through some difficult health issues at the time and wanted to be able to contribute and give back to the world with purpose. With everything that came along with the COVID-19 lockdowns, my business switched to being exclusively online. This was able to open up more doors in various provinces as the distance was not an issue.

What continues to motivate me is the people that I meet every day. They showcase their determination, resilience, and bravery by setting aside an hour each week to gain self-awareness and dive deeper within themselves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The fact that people trust me with their stories and the parts of them they haven't shared with anyone. It is an honor and a privilege to journey and aid in helping my clients find the clarity and harmony they are searching for.

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

Learning the ebbs and flows of the field you're in. Times when the work is busier, and your schedule is full, and times within the year when the work slows down. It takes time to understand how that works and then be able to work your schedule around that.

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

  1. Try it! You might surprise yourself.
  2. It's going to take time, and it's going to be worth it (you're going to learn about yourself, what you're made of and how you move through the challenging moments).
  3. Find peers/colleagues who speak your "language" for support and understanding.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I've recently moved to the Ottawa area! If you've ever wanted to try counseling but aren't sure where to start, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. If you're a therapist who's wanted to start a private practice, but maybe part of you has been scared of all of the details - I get it. If I could do it, I have faith that you can too!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.trustcounselling.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trustcounselling1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustcounselling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustcounselling/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.