Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristin Hodson, Founder of The Healing Group, located in Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a specialty mental health clinic focusing on maternal mental health, sexual health, and relationships, all from a trauma-informed based. Our purpose is to transform silent suffering into strength! I love the question about who our customers are because we have flipped the script on this. While the people seeking our services are who you would typically think of when asking about clients, we view the team members who work for us as our top clients. They are ultimately the reason we exist and have a reputation for the quality of care we provide within our community. We believe that if we take care of our team first and have a culture where they can thrive personally and professionally, they will be able to better serve the people seeking our services.
Tell us about yourself
For most of my formative years, I was part of a team, whether it was soccer, basketball, track, or other sports. I came to heavily value a collective effort working toward a shared goal and how important having a coach is, no matter your age or stage of life! When I was pregnant with my first child in 2006, I experienced a lot of anxiety during and after my pregnancy. I was working as a general mental health practitioner at the time within another clinic. I didn't know what I was experiencing, nor did any of the professionals I was working with or my doctor. I went down the research rabbit hole and eventually decided I was dealing with pregnancy, postpartum anxiety, and OCD. I knew that if I was having trouble figuring out what I was going through and finding support as a professional, then other parents in my community most likely were too. I sought out. More training around perinatal mental health and decided to start my own practice specializing in maternal mental health. Over time, it became clear that there was a clear overlap between maternal mental health, sexual health, and relationships, and these specialties became what differentiated us in the community.
I am motivated to create a culture within healthcare where quality work isn't at the expense of the health and well-being of the provider. I have seen too many providers get burned out and leave the field due to a lack of support, a too demanding schedule, and a lack of training. I love working to disrupt the way healthcare is traditionally viewed and approached by holding tight to our company values and purpose and placing our team member's humanity first and foremost.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having team members say how much they love working at The Healing Group. I could not have meaningful success if the team members within our organization didn't enjoy working there. My biggest measure of success is knowing team members are doing what they love, making a difference in people's lives, and feeling healthy and balanced in their work environment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Healthcare is CONSTANTLY changing. If I didn't have the support of an accounting and finance team, a lawyer, and great minds that come up with innovative and creative solutions, it would be impossible to navigate. While I went solo to start The Healing Group, it always had a vision of being a team and collective effort because there are too many areas of a business to be great at them all. I have ultimately learned you can't succeed on your own. Everyone needs a team. Additionally, I find it hard to manage my time. As a business owner, I don't have the luxury of having a set schedule or turning my business responsibilities off for the weekend. My business is always on, and I am the last stop. Establishing and re-establishing time boundaries is one of the ongoing challenges I consistently face. Having a team that I trust and can rely on makes that ongoing challenge a lot more manageable.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get clear about your company's purpose and values and stick to them! There will always be shiny objects to chase, opportunities to take shortcuts, and reasons to compromise; however, holding true to your values and having them as your compass will keep you on purpose and on track with WHY you started your company in the first place.
- Find a mentor! Having someone invested in your success, providing outside perspective, and providing you with a container of accountability is priceless. I have had a variety of coaches and mentors along my way, and I wouldn't be where I am without them.
- Show your work along the way! I love how app developers give themselves permission to launch their products in phases to see how they function and how users interact with them. This process ultimately informs their next steps and version. I see too many business owners wait until things are "just right" or perfect instead of putting their work out there and miss valuable real-time feedback from their clients.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thehealinggroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehealinggroup/
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/kristinbhodson/
Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/thehealinggroup/
Twitter (Personal): https://twitter.com/kristinbhodson
Twitter (Company): https://twitter.com/Thehealinggroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-healing-group/
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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