Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Devlin, Co-Founder of Beaches Therapy Group, located in Toronto, ON, CA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are an intimate, down-to-earth Toronto psychotherapy clinic dedicated to providing modern mental healthcare for all ages. Our multidisciplinary team of registered and experienced therapists proactively supports individuals, couples, and families through their journeys of self-discovery in a compassionate, welcoming, and accessible manner. Our motto is growth is good! We help clients fully realize the power of self-growth and thriving in a down-to-earth, friendly place. We see mental health in the same way we see physical health. We all have to take care of it, and mental health doesn't happen without self-awareness and practices that support it. Just like physical health requires practices that support it. We see going to therapy as a health practice, not a sign of something being "wrong" with you. We want going to therapy to be completely free of shame!

Tell us about yourself

I started my private practice called Beaches Therapy in 2009. My business partner, Rebecca, and I joined forces in 2014 with a vision of creating a thriving group practice founded on the values of community, growth mindset, and mental and emotional wellness. This mattered not only for the client but also for the practitioners we hired. We recognized that working in private practice as a therapist could be an isolating experience professionally, so we wanted to create an organization that offered support to our clinicians also to help them grow professionally and thrive personally. We wanted to do all this while helping them earn a great, reliable living and do meaningful work that wasn't curtailed by session limits, etc. (like in agencies). I am SO motivated by the inspiring self-development work our clients are willing to do in therapy, which takes tremendous courage! I am also so moved by the passion and deep caring that our practitioners bring to the psychotherapy journey with their clients. It might sound a little cheesy, but I honestly believe that individuals being willing to develop self-awareness and self-understanding in therapy contributes to the world becoming a more enlightened and kinder place. I have been so heartened to see how people are becoming more and more willing to talk about therapy and mental health in recent years. It gives me such hope for humanity.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Opening our second location! We've just renovated a 2300 sq foot second clinic space to accommodate our growing team and expand further west in Toronto. Again the vision is to create a beautiful, modern, and inspiring place that feels more like visiting a spa than a healthcare office. We've hung neon "Here We Grow!" signs in both locations to remind our practitioners and clients that this is a space for self-actualization and self-development. They should be proud of the work they are doing. We want everyone who walks in to develop a growth mindset that frees them of shame or any internalized ideas about themselves that do not serve their evolution.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I find it the most difficult to balance my well-honed sense of empathy and understanding (which has been developed over a decade-plus of doing many hours as a therapist) with creating the necessary structure and accountability with our team that we must implement to create a well-run business. Rebecca and I want to make people happy and say "yes" as much as possible to everyone who works with us. Sometimes, it has been difficult and unfamiliar to set boundaries and develop structured policies and protocols for staff. As a business owner, no matter how great your team is, you will have to have challenging conversations to ensure things are done in a way that reflects your vision. You may even have to let people go that aren't on the same wavelength as you. This is particularly important as the organization grows, so the quality of services for the clients remains very high. But I find this the most stressful aspect of my role as an owner. As always, I try to have a growth mindset about this, recognizing I will find these skills easier as I grow as an owner and supervisor. I try to help my team have this mindset as well.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I would encourage new entrepreneurs to think about their core values for the business they want to create. Beyond the money and hopeful success, what does it mean to you in your product or service? Why is it important? Why will it make people's lives and the world a better place? If you can stay connected to this, it will help you stay on track when facing obstacles or rejection.

Secondly, start with a good accountant and develop a good sense of what you will need financially to make it a successful venture. It can take many years for a business to become profitable. So take small risks initially.

Third, don't be afraid to start a business as a 'side hustle' while working elsewhere. I started my business as a side project that I would do on evenings and weekends until it started to gain traction.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

For any business owner, try cultivating a "growth mindset" for yourself. If you are unsure how to do something, don't assume you aren't measuring up or don't have what it takes. Everything takes practice, and we are all beginners to start. Any ability and skillset can be grown over time - and growth is good!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://beachestherapy.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beachestherapygroup/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beachestherapygroup/

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.