Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Dimerman, owner of ReferToMe.ca, located in Ontario, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
ReferToMe.ca was created for Canadian mental health, allied health and medical doctors to be able to find and refer patients and clients to one another.
Tell us about yourself
I have been a psychologist for more than thirty years and for the past year and a half, noticed a marked increase in the number of people calling me for help with their mental health. Unfortunately, because my practice often can't accommodate everyone, I have to put clients on a wait list or deny service. Often I will refer out to my colleagues but many of them too had closed practices. So, I thought that if I could create a directory with a whole bunch of healthcare professionals referring to one another as needed, people wouldn't need as long to receive service and healthcare professionals would have an easy and effective way to find others to help their potential client, rather than putting them on a long wait.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have always believed that any dream can become a reality, so long as it is reality based. I have turned so many of my dreams into reality - building a successful counselling practice, writing five best selling self help books and now, creating and growing ReferToMe.ca.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not having paid vacations, maternity leave or extended health benefits (unless you pay for them).
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1.Do your research to find out who you're competing with. Then, fill a gap but again, research to make sure that it's not just a gap that you see worth filling, but that others do too.
2. Be passionate about what you're doing because as cliched as it sounds, so long as you're doing what you love, you will never feel like you are working.
3. Be patient and persistent. It takes time, perseverance, creativity and courage to grow a business. Keep thinking of new ways to move your business forward and keep marketing. McDonalds still advertises their brand even though they're an internationally recognized brand.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Try not to be discouraged by setbacks. The road to success is not straight but zig zagged. Even if you take 2 steps forward and one back before you take another one forward, keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep on believing in yourself and your idea.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.facebook.com/refertomeca/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
