Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Camilo Henriquez, Founder of Camilo's Therapy, located in Aarhus, Denmark.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I do online psychotherapy. I use CBT and contextual methods to cope with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. My customers are individuals who want to improve their quality of life: overcome symptoms, build healthy relationships, change their behavior, and strengthen their emotional intelligence.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Camilo, and I'm from Chile. I have wanted to be a psychologist since I was a teenager. Listening to others and caring about people has always come naturally to me. Additionally, my mother suffered from depression and anxiety for a big part of my childhood due to a medical condition. I also struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, so I'm very aware of what clients going through these problems may need.
I studied Psychology for five years at Universidad Autonoma de Chile, then I made a post-degree in Forensic Psychology and finally decided to study for a Master's degree in Denmark in Techno-Anthropology to increase my knowledge about technologies and their impact on society. I didn't dare to start a "solo practitioner" even after working for eight years as a psychologist. I went full as a solo business because COVID would not let me work in anything else during the lockdown, and I could not afford the master's program or life in Denmark without working.
Today I finished my education, and now I'm a full-time online psychologist, paying close attention to healthcare technologies and their potential to make therapy more attractive and efficient.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Just being able to do it already seems like an accomplishment to me. Having exclusive clients supporting my work and initiatives is very fulfilling. I can live a very flexible life, do what I love, and have the freedom to move around without compromising my job.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The fear of failing. It felt like a big risk at the beginning when I did not have enough income to sustain my life. Even though now I'm more stable and I don't have the University draining my pockets, I still feel fear sometimes, which makes me doubt myself, lose time, and freeze for some periods. Working alone requires self-discipline and courage, and I had to improve these traits on me to survive.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- My mistakes were not to look and ask for help from public institutions helping entrepreneurs. In Aarhus, my city, there are institutions dedicated to helping people to make their businesses come to life, but I just jumped into the jungle and luckily survived. Years wasted.
- I would also suggest investing time in organizational skills, communication, and system to stay on top of tasks, especially if you are going to study and start a business at the same time.
- The last one is a classic: You have to believe in yourself. I wasted so much time doubting myself thinking about other business to do, or developing skills that I didn't even need just because I was insecure. Find something that you would like to do and try it hard.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.camilostherapy.dk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamilosTherapy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilotherapy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/camilostherapy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilo-henríquez-jaña-8211b6196/
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.