Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jaime Castillo, Founder of Find Your Shine, located in Tempe, AZ, USA.

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

I'm a therapist and founder of Find Your Shine Therapy in Tempe, AZ. We are a group private practice specializing in the treatment of Trauma and Anxiety Disorders. We offer both individual and group therapy, and we see people across the lifespan, from kids as young as 5 years old to the geriatric population.

Tell us about yourself

I started Find Your Shine Therapy in 2017 as a solo practitioner specializing in trauma and anxiety. I decided to start my own practice after years of working at an agency, where I got most of my clinical training. Private practice was attractive to me because of the flexible schedule and ability to "be my own boss," so to speak. Unfortunately, my master's degree in social work didn't teach me a thing about how to be a business owner, so I needed a lot of support in the beginning. The advice from my entrepreneur family members, combined with many sleepless nights googling "how to create a website" and "how to bill insurance," eventually got me up and running.

One thing I missed about agency work was the collaboration with colleagues. Being in solo practice has a way of making you feel like a "one-woman island," which wasn't a good fit for me. That's when I knew I wanted to create a group practice and hired my first associate therapist. Since 2017, Find Your Shine has grown to be a group of 11 therapists, 1 clinical coordinator, and 5 clinical interns. We believe and base our practice around the infamous Rumi quote, "We are stars wrapped in skin. The light we are seeking has always been within." We are not in the business of "fixing" people but rather believe that people have within them what it takes to live fulfilled, meaningful lives. We see our role as helping people connect to their inner potential.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the team I have created. We meet regularly as a group to staff clinical cases and discuss treatment strategies. It doesn't matter if you have 10 years or 10 weeks of experience (like our interns do) - every person in the room's voice is heard and valued. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring, intelligent, and compassionate therapists every day.

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

One challenge for me as a business owner is creating a healthy work/life balance. When you own a business, you are never off the clock. You tend to wear all the hats and do all the things. Even if you don't have "to-dos," you are still thinking about your business constantly, which can be draining. Hiring people to lead and make decisions in my absence has been huge. I don't think the business would have been sustainable without my leadership team.

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

  1. You have to leap. You will never feel totally prepared to start a business. It will feel scary, terrifying even, especially if you are leaving the comfort of a 9-5 job. Get your ducks in a row as best you can, and then take the leap. If you wait until you feel 100% ready, you'll be waiting forever.
  2. Don't diminish your worth. Whether you're selling a product or a service, new business owners tend to devalue their work. Don't do this. Just because you are new doesn't mean you haven't invested a ton of time, energy, and resources into your craft. Charge what you are worth!
  3. When you can, hire help. Don't be afraid to spend money on things that are outside of your skill set. Hiring people like an attorney, CPA, and SEO expert has been imperative for me. You can't be good at everything and should hire help if it's within your means. This also means hiring people internally who have different strengths than you and letting them shine.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.findyourshinetherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Findyourshinetherapy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourshinetherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-your-shine/

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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