Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Natali Edmonds, Founder of Dementia Careblazers, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

Dementia Careblazers is an online educational company that helps family members cope with the many challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Through the programs offered, caregivers can learn more about the different types of dementias, what to expect, and how to respond to symptoms. They can also get access to support from other caregivers and experts.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a board-certified geropsychologist and have worked for a large hospital setting for 13 years. I was frustrated with the system's limitations- such as short appointment times, a limited number of sessions to see a patient, constant justification for why I needed to see a patient, etc. I didn't feel like the industry was doing a good job supporting the families. We were great at diagnosing dementia, but then the family was on their own to figure out what to do from there. I didn't feel that was acceptable, so I started posting educational videos online while working at the hospital, and the response was amazing. The stories of caregivers worldwide sharing their struggles and how much the information has helped them keep me going every day (the thought of having to go back to a traditional hospital setting is also motivating to keep working in my business!).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's easy to get caught up in the numbers and monetary growth, but when I really think about it, it's the meaningful connections and deep impact that this business has had on the lives of other people. I get messages, cards, and personalized gifts regularly from people all around the world expressing their gratitude for information no other healthcare provider has ever taken the time to talk about. As someone who just started by turning on her cell phone to share information, the idea that this has had such a widespread and deep impact is truly mind-blowing.

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

When you are a business owner, it means you put yourself out in the world to make offers and positively impact another person's life. There are people in the world who think that "helping professions" shouldn't be charging money or get upset at the thought someone would be charging money. It's also easy for people behind a computer screen to leave mean comments online even though they've never met me or attended any of my programs. Basically, you open yourself up to criticism from around the world when you have an online business. For me, that criticism is worth it if it means my work reaches the caregivers who truly want help and support. This has been one of the hardest things since I started my business. Over the past year, one of the hardest things has been hiring, training, and retaining really good people to work for my company. It can be vulnerable to open your business up to a stranger and even harder when that person isn't a good fit. I'm now learning how to be a good leader of people and how to train employees in a way that works for my company. It's much harder than I imagined!

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

  1. Start putting your messaging in the world. You will feel scared, awkward, and uncomfortable. But in doing so, you will get some proof of concept and feedback about what you are doing. If you have a business, you will need to talk about it, so get comfortable talking about it now. Choose one platform to share this message consistently. For me, it was YouTube, which eventually allowed me to leave a 6 figure hospital salary job (but you could choose any platform).
  2. Create an email list. The various social media platforms can go away tomorrow, someone could hack your account, or you can be kicked off the platform. You should use social media, but don't rely solely on it. The biggest success in my business is because of my email list. Use your social media channels to drive people to your email list. Offer something of value to them for them giving your their email. In my business, the biggest revenue stream comes from within my email list.
  3. Surround yourself with other amazing people with businesses. Most people don't own their own businesses. When I was thinking about leaving my job at the hospital, everyone thought I was crazy. Now I make a bigger impact in the world, make more money than I have ever made, AND I get to work from anywhere in the world. Don't take business advice from people who don't have a business. Find a group of people with big dreams and amazing businesses and connect with them. Use them to turn to during the ups and downs. This has been one of the most helpful things for me. The best group of business friends I have came from a mastermind that I joined.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.careblazers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaCareblazers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_careblazers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natali-n-edmonds-psyd-abpp-9078955/

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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