Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chandler Chang, Ph.D., CEO of Therapy Lab, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Therapy Lab is an innovative mental health practice that allows clients to choose their therapy service from a menu of options. Therapy plans are designed to be time-limited for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Our users are people who are busy and eager to pursue mental wellness in a focused, science-based way. We work with adults of all ages, as well as kids, teens, and families at TL Kids.
Tell us about yourself
In addition to being a CEO and founder, I'm a clinical psychologist and therapist. With so many people in need of mental healthcare, I believe in creating more innovative, accessible services that actually work. I like to think about the user experience and design as motivators for good health!
Do you have daily rituals for work / wellness / fitness / mindfulness?
I love daily rituals! For me, I need a good amount of activity to counterbalance all the sitting of work and doing therapy. So, I love running, yoga, and walking around my neighborhood (without my phone). I love cooking as much as possible and taking a hot bath when I have time. I do a lot of quick texts with close friends in the evenings just to say and send a heart! For fun, I crank up my favorite tunes when I drive instead of NPR or informative podcasts, which I save for my long weekend runs. Rituals = Happiness.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Therapy Lab launched in 2019 as an in-person service. Evolving into a telehealth company and remote team required perspective, flexibility, and grit. I prioritize our team culture and am proud of how close-knit our community has become, even while working remotely. The well-being and connectedness of our team directly affects the quality of care that we provide our therapy clients.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
My challenge lately is to sort through all the tasks and priorities and accept my limits in not being able to complete them all. I'm a "wash all the dishes before bedtime" person, so leaving so many tasks incomplete (and knowing that this is actually best for the health of my company) is challenging but necessary for long-term sustainability. If I continued to do all the tasks myself, I would never sleep, and my team would not be able to grow into their roles.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient with yourself and accept that you will make mistakes. Learn from them. Growing from mistakes is the most important job of a first-time entrepreneur.
- Find good advisors, ask for their help, and, most importantly, pay for the best CPA you can find.
- Act with honesty, kindness, and integrity with your team, and ask for what you need as directly as possible. You will grow best with team collaboration and trust.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
It is an honor and privilege to grow a team and build a company. It is also the hardest thing I have ever done or ever will do again! Get sleep, eat well, exercise, and stay connected with friends and family as much as you can.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.therapylab.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/therapylab/
https://www.instagram.com/therapylabkids/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandler-s-chang/
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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