Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness and health but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marilyn Brownm, Founder of A Mindful Way Counseling & Consulting, located in La Mesa, CA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is a private psychotherapy practice that has expanded to provide consulting and other healing services as well. My customers are very successful women of color who are feeling unfulfilled in their lives in some significant way, and they are ready for a drastic change! My consulting customers are other Black therapists and healing professionals who are ready to claim their success by tapping into the power of their authenticity.
Tell us about yourself
I started working in the mental health field immediately after obtaining my BS in psychology. I always knew I wanted to work for myself and start my own practice, so in the ten years that followed getting my degree, I focused on getting experience in multiple different settings and working with diverse populations. I started my business after getting my license, and since then, I have supervised another therapist to licensure and also learned so much about being a business owner that my graduate program in psychology didn't teach me. I am also a yoga teacher and reiki healer and use sound healing in my work with my clients, which is something running my own business allows me the freedom to do. I am motivated daily by the impact of my work on my individual clients and the people around them. Being able to be clear about who I am as a therapist has helped me find the clients who are the best fit, so every day, I am looking forward to the work I am so honored to do!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has definitely been being able to smoothly pivot from an in-person service to a fully virtual telehealth practice at the start of the pandemic and being able to grow my business during that time.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things for me about being a business owner has been the possible isolation that can come with running a small business. I had to make sure that I connected with others intentionally because it was not like before when I worked for someone else and there were many coworkers around to connect with. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to connect with others.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My top tip for someone starting a business today is to be clear with your intention from the start. What is your why? Check in with that regularly because it will be helpful when it inevitably gets hard. The second tip is to share what you are doing with everyone you know! Be proud of your business and your product, and make sure you are letting people in your life know what you are doing. They want to support you, so give them the opportunity. My third tip is to practice self-care daily and prioritize it before your business tasks for the day. My morning routine is sacred and very important for my overall well-being and ultimately affects how I show up in my business. I am at my best when I fill my own cup first, and you will be too!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.amindfulwaycounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilynjulia_is/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindfulmarilyn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjulia/
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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