Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Joi Latson, owner of Find Your Inner Joi, LLC., located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

My name is Dr. Joi Latson, and I am the Owner of Find Your Inner Joi, LLC, which offers a variety of Mental Health Counseling & Consulting Services. Not only helping many individuals through their dark moments, but I also hold the space for any and everyone. Many people believe that therapy is for when something is wrong or when something happens. While that can be true for some, it’s not the only reason therapy exists.

Therapy is the safe space we all deserve. Therapy can be the place you talk about life, work, relationships, or a place to help hold yourself accountable. As a therapist, I help guide my clients through whatever journey they set for themselves. Treat yourself as a luxury because that is what you are. Prioritize self-care because it is not selfish. I am not here to judge, disagree, or agree with you, I am here to support and guide you to your healing destination.

Tell us about yourself

If I can say what has helped me to be successful in my career, I would say always embracing who I am as a person. Growing up, I often had to assimilate in environments like school or work, where my blackness or silliness was often not approved or embraced. So, I naturally started to dim my own light. As I got older, I realized it’s who I am that people find comfort in. Embracing who I am, all my characteristics, my silliness, and my natural nurturing has allowed me to always keep a full caseload.

My clients choose me because I stand out to them. So what makes me different, I make sure my clients understand that I am human just as they are, but a human that is trained and that also enjoys keeping the safe space they deserve. I am the human who will walk alongside my clients in their most difficult life journeys without judgment because, as I say, “the one thing we do not have to do alone is HEAL.”

Was getting to this point easy? Definitely not. It took and still takes constant accountability and growth on my part. I have to practice what I preach and ensure I attend to myself correctly so I can be fully available for my clients. The thing that motivates me the proudest is that in this journey called life, where I have learned to heal, love, and care for myself, I have been able to help hundreds of individuals do the same. To me, that’s a superpower all on its own.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to see my clients heal. I’ve seen many individuals come to be in their darkest moments and leave in their highest. That, to me, is something I will forever be proud to witness. I am honored to hold a safe space for many individuals.

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

As a therapist, mother, wife, friend, sister, dog owner, and business owner, finding balance was something I struggled with for a while. It took me a while to be able to separate from my therapeutic role in my personal life. People naturally find comfort in the space I hold anywhere, so I often found myself being a therapist 24/7, which was not allowing me to engage in self-care.

One day, I thought, “How can I embrace being human more?”. Then it hit me, and I started labeling myself “The human therapist” to constantly remind myself that before my title of therapist, I am a human who has other life responsibilities. Doing that has allowed me to find balance in my life and sustain it. To me, balance means being able to love what I do and separate it from my personal life. Although being a therapist is natural in everything I do, finding balance and separating my roles has allowed me to enjoy life and always make sure my cup is full. Having a full cup allows me to not just be at peace (as a whole) but fully available for my clients. Balance is more than a term for me, it’s a lifestyle.

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

  1. Just do it! You’ll never be 100% ready. Be kind to yourself on your journey because we do not grow in harsh environments. If you have to change something, change it. If you have to take a break, take it. Believe in yourself!
  2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I called many people asking for suggestions and advice before starting. We all can learn from someone.
  3. Create a support system. Find a mentor to help guide you. Finding someone more experienced than you in your field is extremely beneficial. It motivates, encourages, and points you in the right direction. Having a mentor has been a lifesaver for me and helps my business continue to grow.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.findyourinnerjoi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/find_your_inner_joi/

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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