Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in children's wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Frances Fishman, Clinical Director and CEO of The Play Base, located in Vaughan, ON, Canada.

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

The Play Base is a team of professionals who are passionate about helping children with exceptionalities, behavioural needs, or developmental needs, as well as their families, communities, and professionals who work with them. We are called The Play Base because our main modality in therapy is a play-based, naturalistic and developmental approach to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Our motto is "discovering beautiful minds" as we focus on identifying what lights up each individual and fostering their development through an empathetic and loving approach. From 1:1 therapy in the home and community, in-center therapy, consultation with families and professionals and to schools and other professional settings, professional development, and any other training- our goal is to provide knowledge and evidence-based support to clients in a loving, compassionate and child-centered approach.

We are different because we see each individual as unique; thus, each approach should be uniquely catered to this individual. We are different because we utilize the principles of ABA and implement them through play and a multi-dimensional model that sees the child/individual from a wholistic lens as opposed to a list of behaviours. We are different because we train our therapists to show up with their heart and soul first and their knowledge second because it is the connection that creates the opportunity for the science to work, and when the two are combined- that's when the magic happens.

Tell us about yourself

I was lucky to be trained by a BCBA-D (psychologist BCBA) in a play-based and naturalistic model for the first seven years of my career. Once I, too, because a BCBA, I decided to learn the method most other companies and practitioners were using, and once I did, I knew it did not align with most of my clients or with me. With the support of my husband, I started The Play Base to make a positive impact on the world for the children, their families, the professionals who work with them, and the future of this field. ABA has historically been associated with punitive methods and methods that do not honour the individual receiving the therapy.

My goal is, to the best of my ability, to provide an environment that honours each individual that helps them gain the tools that are significant to them and their loved ones for them to thrive and live their most fulfilling lives. It is my goal to empower them, those who they are surrounded with, and to empower therapists with the skills to build independence, confidence and self-compassion, and understanding. It is my goal that every client, family, and professional leave me feeling stronger in themselves, more empowered, more connected, and more confident to show up in this world as their unique and incredible self. That's what our world really needs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is watching my clients, and my therapists thrive. It's when a child no longer requires services; a child has the skills and the confidence to step into themselves independently, when a therapist feels the magic of their gifts and steps into their best self and when former clients reach out to say thank you. My biggest accomplishments are yet to come, I feel. So far- I feel so blessed for all the loves I have had the honour of helping. But I know there is more to come.

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

Running a business is very different from being a clinician. It has required a lot of soul searching and work to step into being a stronger leader, a more present owner, and to provide my team and clients with what they need. The biggest challenge of being a business owner is finding others who share your vision and are passionate about bringing it to life. I am so lucky to have the team I currently have and the teams I have had in the past. Each person that has stepped into The Play Base has left their mark on me, this company, and all those we have the honour of helping.

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

  1. Don't be afraid of the numbers. I am NOT a numbers person, and this has been a scary place for me to step into- but it is empowering to learn and know because if your business isn't thriving, you can't help all those people you are hoping to help.
  2. Find a team that aligns with your vision, your message, and your method.
  3. Always lead with love and your heart. That's how I do everything or try to do everything in life, and love never fails you (even if you think it does... it's always guiding you down your path).

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'm thankful for all that I get to do in my personal and professional life. The Play Base is excited to expand our business from Vaughan/GTA, ON, to Boca Raton, FL, in the summer of 2022! It is the first expansion of this company, and I'm so excited to take on this new adventure with my incredible team here in Toronto and build my team in Florida.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://theplaybase.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theplaybase
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaybase/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-play-base/

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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