Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Goudreau-Green, Owner of Willow Bend Counseling LLC., located in Pleasantville, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Willow Bend Counseling is a group psychotherapy practice offering individual and family therapy for moms, children, and families dealing with a mental health diagnosis for a child.
Tell us about yourself
I started my career working in residential treatment programs for adolescent females. I quickly saw how scared, confused, and frustrated parents, particularly mothers, felt in caring for their teens with a mental health diagnosis. I saw a need for more supportive therapy for parents and mothers. Often, one person in the family is focused on as the one needing therapy, when in fact, everyone is impacted and impacts that individual. When the entire family is supported, outcomes for the adolescent and family are much more positive. I provide this through parent coaching, individual therapy for moms, and family therapy for the entire family.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been to keep Willow Bend Counseling up and running. When I began, for the first two and a half years, it was just my amazing assistant and me. I went through maternity leave and treatment for stage 4 cancer, which made it incredibly difficult to maintain an active presence in my business. Maintaining hope for my own health and the success of my business was a challenge. It has been possible, however, because of the amazing village of people around me. It's truly a team effort.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Running a business can feel lonely and overwhelming at times. It can be hard to focus, prioritize and organize myself. I have found being in regular contact with friends and peers who are also entrepreneurs has helped significantly. And having my own business coach and therapist has made it all more likely for me to offer the full array of services I one day envision offering.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learning to ask for support and accepting it is crucial in successful business ownership. Without it, my business would not be where it is today or even exist.
- Let yourself feel the fear when starting and developing your business. Don't ignore what you're feeling or afraid of. You can acknowledge it, feel it and move through it without responding to it in ways that will inhibit your success. Use some opposite action to move through them.
- Reach out to people. To connect, to network, to develop support. I was afraid to do this, fearing people would be annoyed or "sick of" outreaches, but everyone has been so supportive and friendly! Find your people. It's key to success.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.willowbendcounseling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowBendCounseling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onebadmother_coaching/
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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