Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Barb Davies, Founder of Barb Davies Hypnotherapy & Counselling, located in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a serial entrepreneur. I own a private practice called Barb Davies Hypnotherapy & Counselling and a group practice called Amethyst Wellness Group Inc. I also own Healing Minds Academy, which offers personal development and hypnosis training. And finally, I partnered with a friend to organize the annual Canada Hypnosis Conference. In my private practice, I work mainly with people who have experienced trauma and people suffering from anxiety, stress, emotional and physical pain. I also work with a lot of female entrepreneurs. I'm beginning to work with a local doctor and some of his cancer patients as well.
My group practice employs a variety of wellness practitioners, most of whom I have trained or are training to become certified in hypnosis. We all specialize in different areas. Customers at Healing Minds Academy are people interested in learning more about hypnosis and how to become the best version of themselves and those who want to become certified as hypnotists or hypnotherapists. And finally, Canada Hypnosis Conference is all about professional development and training for other hypnotherapists and hypnotists.
Tell us about yourself
I became intrigued with hypnosis several years ago when a hypnotist helped me with some symptoms I was experiencing due to stress. I took an introductory hypnosis course for fun and discovered a passion for it. I continued with my studies, eventually becoming a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I posted on social media about my new certification and, to my surprise, received numerous messages from people asking me to help them. Within a month, I had to rent an office to meet the demand for hypnosis sessions, and I started a part-time private practice. In less than two years, I was busy enough to quit my full-time job to work solely in my private practice.
I became a Certified Hypnosis Instructor, and during the COVID lockdown, when I wasn't as busy as usual, I began putting my training program together and launched Healing Minds Academy. Several of my students asked if they could come work with me, and so the group practice was born. I used to drag myself out of bed every morning, dreading going to work. Now that I'm self-employed, I wake up most mornings before my alarm, and I can't wait to start meeting with my clients. I love helping people feel better and change their lives!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've built a thriving private practice very quickly. I'm booked solid with a waitlist, and I feel very grateful to be doing work I love and enjoying the freedom and inner peace that I do.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying organized and managing my time wisely is often a challenge, as there is so much to do with running four businesses and making time to spend with loved ones. Last year I hired two part-time virtual assistants, and they have been a blessing to me. It was a big step, and I wish I had done it much sooner. My business growth really accelerated once I freed up all that time I used to spend on administrative and tech tasks to work on business growth projects instead. There was also an added bonus of getting more sleep instead of staying up until the wee hours doing administrative work and always feeling tired. I am much more productive now. This year, I will hire a full-time administrative assistant, and I'm really excited about that.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Work on your mindset more than you do your business. Spend time each day imagining your future self who has already achieved your current goals, release your limiting beliefs, learn to manage stress and your emotions, and work on your confidence if needed. Especially if you are in a helping profession, heal yourself first.
- Hire staff as soon as you can. If you could be earning more if you had more time, and an assistant's hourly rate is less than you earn, it's time to hire. Consider starting with a virtual assistant for five hours per week and outsourcing the branding and tech stuff you struggle with.
- Find something you're so passionate about that you would do it for free if you didn't have bills to pay. That passion will keep you going when you encounter bumps in the road.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://barbdavies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barb.j.davies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbdavies373/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbdavies/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
