Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lyla Corkern, Owner and CEO of Finding Solace, located in West Monroe, LA, USA.

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

Finding Solace is one of the largest private counseling agencies in NE Louisiana. We provide mental health support services for individuals, couples, and families ages five and older. We provide additional services for schools, businesses/executives, community initiatives, athletic programs, and more. We have a diverse team of professionals who are able to provide support in person or via telehealth across the state of Louisiana. Our mission is to improve the life experiences of anyone needing support through compassion, neutrality, transparency, and sincerity.

Tell us about yourself

I always knew I wanted to be a counselor. I knew I wanted to make people's lives better. After my Master's degree, I worked in many different settings (e.g., in-patient hospital, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, in-home services, group therapy, etc.). I eventually ended up working in private practice settings, but I was still discontented. I wanted to find a place that was focused on the client - the person walking in the door and asking for help. Eventually, after finding that nothing fit my vision and the encouragement of friends and family, I decided that I would have to start my own practice. I founded Finding Solace so that everyone has a safe space to be themselves, express themselves completely without fear of judgment, feel truly seen and valued, and gain a sense of "solace" by the end of their time with us. As we grow, I am still striving to create that for as many people as we can.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, I feel most proud of the pride and satisfaction that my staff has working with us. When I see the pride they have in their company, their work, and their team, I feel completely contented that all the work was worth it. For context, I started my practice to work for myself. I didn't want the confines that other employers continued to put on me that did not line up with my cultural values. I had no plans to bring on additional staff and grow into a group practice with administrative staff.

When we decided to grow, I was out of my depth. I had poor notions of what to look for when hiring, how to manage people, how to make decisions for the business, etc. It really took some trial by fire to be able to dig my feet into getting the education, mentorship, perspective, plan, and motivation to create the leadership plans that my company actually needed. It got a lot worse before it got better. Looking back now, I see how it was all a growth process, and now we reap the rewards when we see our low employee turnover rates and frequently see the satisfaction of our team. My business does not exist without my team, so I am most proud when I am able to see that I am serving them well.

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

Being a business owner can be lonely. Your friends, family, and co-workers just can't understand it. There are plenty of them that are willing to listen, support, and encourage however they can, but it isn't the same. The pressure of always staying ahead of the curve and always thinking about what is next is exhausting. It becomes isolating when you realize no one will get that as you do and that you cannot expect others to work as hard as you do. It was vital for me to find a peer group that understood those experiences. Getting involved with other CEOs and business owners through joining professional organizations and participating in training programs helped me turn the corner and grow a "village" that would help me navigate.

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

  1. Be clear about your mission. Don't just think through what you want to do. Make sure you have clarity about why you want to do it and how you want to do it. Without clarity, you start throwing spaghetti at the wall and waste time when nothing sticks.
  2. Know your personal value system. Consider who you are, what you believe to be true about yourself and others, what you believe is non-negotiable in business and people, and any other question that can help you solidify your worldview. All decision-making is ultimately rooted in that, and your planning becomes much simpler when you have clarity here.
  3. Be rebellious. Don't ever accept that "this is how it is" or "this is the way things are done." You could have an idea or passion that could change your industry completely. Give yourself a voice to ask questions, challenge systems, create innovation, and shake things up. Your business growth might explode by simply asking the question in the right room, and the right person overhears it. You never know the person, event, webinar, etc., that may change your whole business, so don't be afraid to lean in.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://findingsolace.life/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingSolaceCounseling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingsolacecounseling/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/findingsolacela
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-solace-llc/

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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