Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dorene Petersen, founding president of American College of Healthcare Sciences, located in Portland, Oregon, USA.

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

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is a globally recognized, accredited, online institution specializing in integrative and wellness education with students and graduates worldwide. What's unique about our education programs is the focus on hands-on experiential learning using certified organic, pesticide-free, and independently-tested herbs, essential oils, and other natural products provided to students as part of their education. This means students can start to practice what they're learning right away with the flexibility to study online with a diverse community of students when it's most convenient for them. These high-quality products are also made available to the public through our Apothecary Shoppe College Store (https://www.apothecary-shoppe.com), so consumers can access herbs and essential oils they can trust.

I have always felt deeply committed to the students who put their trust in us and to sustainable practices and principles. I also believe each student is an individual with unique goals and learning styles. We're committed to meeting students where they are - whether that's learning more about wellness by reading the ACHS blog (https://achs.edu/blog/), considering a micro-credential (https://achs.edu/academics/departments/microcredentials/), or enrolling in one of our degree programs. Our Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs are among the few accredited online programs in integrative health and wellness and center on holistic, evidence-based research. There's a place for everyone to find wellness at ACHS. ACHS is also a Certified B Corporation® and consistently recognized as one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon.

Tell us about yourself

After earning my BA in archeology and anthropology from Otago University in New Zealand, I found myself a newly divorced Mum with two young children. Initially, I worked as a Medical Social worker with a focus on the elderly. I was exposed to the harsh reality of disadvantaged elders who suffered many chronic illnesses as a result of living a hard life with few resources for nourishing foods and other wellness tools. Inspired to make a difference in this area, I went on and graduated with a four-year Natural Therapeutics Degree at the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland. This resulted in an ND New Zealand credential. It was a natural progression to start my own natural clinic where I saw patients on a regular basis.

My childhood had really set the stage for this path. My resourceful parents and grandparents were wonderful organic gardeners and knowledgeable about using herbs and plants found in nature to support wellness. I grew up loving plants, cooking from scratch, and learning to make herbal medicines. During my third year at the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies, I was invited to lecture on these topics. Eventually, the college asked me to set up a correspondence course. I authored the lesson manuals, set up the structure, and hired the faculty. After a few years, they closed the program due to changes in university policies, but they gave me the opportunity to continue to teach the students I'd been working with. From this, ACHS was born, and we've come a long way since offering our first degree in herbal studies. I feel lucky to do something I really believe in. That gives me enormous satisfaction and has taken me around the world. I am motivated every day by the inspiring stories and hard work of each and every one of our students and graduates and the change they are making in this world!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

When we started in 1978, I wrote all the lesson manuals by hand and delivered them to a typist. The photocopied copies were assembled in 3-ring binders. We advertised in health and wellness magazines and reached out to students via mail, anyway we could reach people globally, without the benefit of the internet! Forty-four years later, ACHS offers its programs through cutting-edge online classrooms that bring together communities of students worldwide to collaborate on projects and share in discussions that lead to transformative learning. Now those early lesson manuals have grown to twenty-six textbooks. All are regularly updated with the latest research, professionally edited, and published by ACHS.

I am also proud of my early belief and commitment to the power of experiential, transformational learning. I always learned best by doing as a student. I also saw first-hand in my natural health clinic that results were sometimes dependent on high-quality raw materials. Hence my life-long commitment to sourcing certified organic, pesticide-free, and independently lab-tested herbs, essential oils, and other natural products that are provided to students as part of their education.

Lastly, I am thrilled that our global reach has touched so many lives. Our graduates are making a positive difference in the world. I'm also very proud to have led a very dedicated team and that everyone on our team is committed to continually improving and innovating the education we offer.

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

I founded the college long before the internet. A huge challenge was reaching people who would be interested and then staying in touch with them. I relied on a second-hand IBM typewriter, paper, and great postal service. Another challenge was initially having to do everything myself, be a single mother and work other jobs to fund the college and provide for a young family. The hours were long, with many late nights and weekends spent working. I was fortunate to have a number of friends who helped me with childcare in the early days. I was also very fortunate that as my children grew older, they helped me tremendously. I would say now the hardest thing for new business owners is taking the risk, taking it slow, and putting in the long hours.

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

  1. Find something you can offer that you truly believe in.
  2. Be passionate and committed to your mission and vision.
  3. Always put your customers, and in my case our students, first.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I always believed finding my passion and transforming that into a livelihood that provides for people was an honor. Despite the long hours and inevitable setbacks, I encourage everyone in a startup to keep forging ahead. Gratitude, curiosity, and a sense of humor help to guide the path. When one door closes, another door really does open. Do business with people you like and focus on your business as a force for good in the world.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://achs.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/achsedu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACHSedu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/american-college-of-healthcare-sciences/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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