Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Khandrueva, Founder of Courage to Heal Therapy, located in Broomfield, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a psychotherapist, and I help people heal trauma and transform relationships. I work with adults and couples, as well as poly relationships. My individual clients usually have complex trauma or bipolar disorder, and my relationship clients struggle with communication and emotional connection. I use various approaches, like EMDR, internal family systems, and emotionally focused therapy, to help those who enter my office. My hope is to do my part in lifting the veil of stigma surrounding mental health and seeking therapy.
Tell us about yourself
I knew I wanted to be a therapist when I was 13. I can't even recall why I just felt it in my bones after I learned of the profession. I was born in Russia and moved to the US at the age of 18 to go to college, where I majored in psychology and business administration. When it came time to choose my path, I caved into well-meaning pressure from my family to pursue the path of finance. I worked in auditing and legal compliance until I was 36. Then, I looked back and realized I did not like my job – or myself.
My practice, Courage to Heal Therapy, is so named because of my favorite definition of the word "courage." Courage is feeling fear and doing it anyway. It takes courage to go to therapy. And it took courage to leave an established career path and take a step into the unknown. I have no regrets. And that's what keeps me going every day. I know I will not regret this decision in the sunset years of my life. I know I'm in the right business, and that's my secret to success.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I knew I was doing something right when my existing clients started to send in new people. Word-of-mouth referrals are such an honor to receive. It's the ultimate act of praise and gratitude! You can't buy or network your way into that kind of trust. You have to actually care and do your best every day. And that's my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Leaving work behind is hard. There are clients' issues to think about, website pages to tweak, emails to return... It can be so tempting to grab the laptop and go into work mode instead of relaxing. I have to remind myself that making space for my own well-being equals being a good business owner - and a good therapist. If you don't take care of yourself, you'll burn out, and so will your business. Taking breaks is just as important as networking and marketing! It was easier to let go of work when I had a 9 to 5 job managed by someone else. With irregular hours and being my own boss, there's always work to do. So, I have to intentionally separate my human self from my working self at the end of the day, which is sometimes a challenge.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a vision. You have to know what you are working towards in a visceral way. It's not enough to just say, "I'm going to open a private practice." You have to feel and embody what it would be like to have your dream business, from your ideal schedule to your ideal clients to your ideal income. That's what keeps you going when you have to make phone calls, work on your website, and look at the books.
- Set boundaries early and firmly. If you want this vision of yours to come true, you have to set strong internal and external boundaries. Know when you will and won't work. Recognize when you need a break and take it. Tell your clients the rules of your practice – and enforce them. This will save you a lot of headaches in the future.
- Realize you can't please everyone. You will have consultations that don't turn into clients. You will have clients who leave. That's OK. Not everyone is the right fit for what you have to offer. But when you do find the right fit, it's amazing. Go out there and find your people.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Science tells us that more people regret things they didn't do than the things they did - even if those things didn't have the desired result. If you have been wondering whether you should start a business... just go for it. Create a vision and put an honest effort into making it a reality. Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.couragetohealtherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couragetohealtherapy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couragetohealtherapy/
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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