Uncover Illness, to Recover Wellness

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Courtney Holmberg, ND, a Naturopathic Doctor, based in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I'm a naturopathic doctor practicing in the west end of Toronto. My practice takes a functional medicine perspective to primary care, addressing the root cause of ailments from a diet and lifestyle-centered approach. I treat patients of all ages and genders (although I refer out for pediatrics cases), and the majority of my patients seek me out for hormonal and digestive complaints, as well as autoimmunity.

Tell us about yourself

I myself had my own health struggles as a young adult. I was diagnosed with PCOS at a young age, and while I knew that something was wrong, I didn't know how to address it or where to get help. Doctors gave me blanket answers, told me my symptoms were just part of being female, that my issues were lifelong, and threw me one birth control pill after another. Nothing worked, nothing improved, and most of all, no one could offer me real solutions.

So as I'm sure you've gathered by now... I found myself a Naturopathic Doctor. I always say that Naturopathic Medicine may not have necessarily saved my life, but it certainly changed it. Through nutrition, supplements, and exercise, I was able to balance my hormones, regulate my symptoms and ultimately resolve the cysts on my ovaries.

I've since made it my purpose as a practitioner to help others overcome their struggles, not only to make life more tolerable but enjoyable. I assist my patients in collecting every piece of the puzzle, drawing all the connections, and uncovering the root of their ailments. We utilize comprehensive testing when necessary and choose therapies that optimize the body's natural functions, ultimately getting people back to feeling like themselves again.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Truthfully, when I discharge a patient. There's nothing better than the feeling of saying, "I don't think you need me anymore," because it means the patient has achieved their goals, and it's now simply about maintenance.

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

I'm sure every business owner says this, but... time management. I've come to realize over the years that you can't do it all, and you can't help everyone, and I constantly have to remind myself that I'm only one person. I'm doing my best to strike a balance between maintaining availability for my current patients, taking on new ones, and providing myself enough downtime to maintain my own health. Fortunately, I've found a good groove through the pandemic that I'm doing my best to sustain, and I'm reaching for help here I need it.

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

Know what you're good at, and outsource the rest. Time spent using your true expertise is far more valuable to your business than reinventing the wheel, so don't waste time on the things you can hire out for.
Know your target audience and where they live in your community. Don't send letter mail to a customer that lives online, the same way you wouldn't send social media ads to a retirement home.
Connect with the businesses around you that help strengthens your community and your business network.

Make sure you love what you do. There are always challenging moments, but life is too short to put energy into a job that doesn't serve you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.courtneyholmbergnd.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolmsonHealth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holmsonhealth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolmsonHealth

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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