Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Zelembaba, Co-Owner of Abaton Integrative Medicine, located in Oakville, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a Naturopathic Doctor that co-owns a clinic named Abaton Integrative Medicine. I see families in person in Oakville and virtually across Ontario. My main focuses are on pediatrics (from newborn to teens), pregnancy (from planning to conceive through the postpartum period), and women's health (in particular digestion, hormones, and anxiety).
Tell us about yourself
My sister and I are both Naturopathic Doctors and built our practice to support families just like ours. Our mom was quite ill when we were young, and Naturopathic Medicine was able to provide answers and support that she wasn't able to receive elsewhere. I am motivated by the progress my patients see - health is such an important factor in being able to enjoy all other aspects of our lives. When people don't feel well, they can't go on to thrive, whether in their personal relationships, career, or any other goals they have. Hearing my patient's success stories gets me excited about coming to work each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would have to be getting the clinic to a point where I am not needed day-to-day in order for it to still run smoothly. My biggest accomplishment as a Naturopathic Doctor, in particular, is each of the accomplishments my patients have made.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would have to say one of the hardest things is ensuring that it doesn't become all-consuming in your life - when we were first starting, we would be working on the business at all hours of the day (literally at night, my sister and I would be on the phone before bed discussing something we had just thought of). Learning to set boundaries for ourselves and our time made us better practitioners and clinic owners.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask for help - your local community can be so supportive, and we have learned so much from other colleagues and business owners in our area.
- Set boundaries - don't burn yourself out in the beginning; it takes time to build a business, so ensure you know what is realistic for you to put into the business (time-wise, financially, emotionally).
- Remind yourself why you started - there can be a lot of ups and downs in the early days, so reminding yourself of your reason why and your purpose for starting the business can help keep you going through the lows.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://abatonim.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abatonintegrativemedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abaton_integrative_medicine/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stephanie-zelembaba/
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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