Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karine Bossé, Owner of Echo Audiology, located in Orleans, ON, Canada.

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

Echo Audiology is a bilingual hearing clinic that offers a variety of services, such as hearing assessments for children & adults, tinnitus consultations, hearing aids & related clinical services, wax removal, as well as consultations for custom earmoulds & hearing protection.

We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to providing the best hearing care possible by making our patient's individual preferences and needs the focus of their appointments, along with providing emotional support and helping to manage ear and hearing-related difficulties in their daily life.

We see pediatric patients from ages 6 months to 17 years old, as well as adult patients from 18 years to the geriatric population.

Tell us about yourself

I completed my Master’s Degree in Audiology at the University of Ottawa in 2010. I immediately started working as a Clinical & Dispensing Audiologist and gained experience in a variety of settings both in Ottawa as well as overseas in Wellington, New Zealand. When we came back to establish ourselves in Orléans, the decision to open my own clinic felt like a natural next step for my career. Establishing it within the community, I was raised was also important to me. I enjoy being able to provide French & English services on a regular basis.

I also love being able to counsel patients, whether I am identifying what may be causing their symptoms, providing further advice, or recommending acoustic rehabilitation options. The relief I see in my patients when they understand their symptoms better or when they hear better for the first time is always palpable and something I very much enjoy witnessing and being a part of.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I opened my practice in an area where the industry was already saturated with hearing clinics, from independent to corporate-based clinics. It was risky, but I felt like I was going to be able to build something different, and I was really passionate about that. Close to 5 years later, and through the COVID-19 pandemic, we now work within a multidisciplinary setting with my sister Julie Bossé’s Physiotherapy clinic, NewU Physio. Together, we are the recipients of the 2022 Gem of Innes Awards for Best Personal Services Business, and I am personally the Recipient of the 2022 Ottawa Awards for Ottawa’s Best Hearing Specialist.

We have come a long way since our opening in 2017, and receiving these awards is an accomplishment that is very humbling because they are essentially based on community votes. Echo Audiology is also the 2nd clinic in Canada to be designated as a Patient-Centered Care hearing clinic. I work with an amazing team of professionals who share our vision and provide high-quality, comprehensive care for our patients. Coming to work is very enjoyable, and that alone is also a big accomplishment that I am proud of!

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

I think people underestimate how much work it is. When people say it takes blood, sweat, and tears, they are not wrong! Thankfully, the amount of support I received from my family, friends, and the community helped! Also, the level and type of work change over the years as you settle into your processes and find the right people to make up your team. It gets easier with time, as long as you are organized, hire the right people, and have a clear understanding of where you are heading.

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

  1. I think it is very important to be aware of your strengths and capitalize on them, but just as important to be aware of your weaknesses and find team members that will fill these gaps.
  2. Even if you are a specialist in your industry, don’t think you know everything. Find people who may be able to provide you with the missing pieces of information, make informed decisions and follow your instincts.
  3. If you have employees, create a supportive and positive work environment. You are only as good as your team. Empower them to become independent in their respective roles.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Hearing better should be a good (and, dare we say, even enjoyable) experience! We know that some people may feel stressed about walking into an audiology clinic, so we try to make our patients’ visits as pleasant and as stress-free as possible. There is nothing better than patients leaving your office laughing and saying their appointment was fun!

If you are looking for help for your ear or hearing needs, feel free to contact us at 613-841-3033! Choosing an Audiologist and a team to work within your acoustic rehabilitation is key to your success!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.echoaudiology.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoaudiology
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/echo-audiology/

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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