Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Hauk, Contract Psychologist at Fish Creek Psychology, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

I'm an educational psychologist. I specialize in providing comprehensive psycho-educational, social-emotional, and behavioural assessments for children and youth. My expertise includes uncovering the reasons that a child is struggling in school, home, or other social settings, which may involve a learning difficulty, attention difficulty, developmental delay, or an underlying emotional problem. Finding out about a child's learning, emotional, and behavioural needs and strengths can help identify appropriate learning environments, effective child, parent, and classroom strategies, and useful community resources.

Tell us about yourself

As a registered psychologist, I've been working in the public education system since 2008 and in private practice since 2011. I also worked for many years in residential treatment and specialized school settings as a child and youth care worker. From the beginning, I was passionate about accurately identifying a child's strengths and needs and thus, allowing a child access to the appropriate treatment options. I'm motivated each day to help children and families achieve success in their lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, I feel proud of developing a team of professionals who provide high-quality services at a reasonable cost. I believe myself and the entire team at Fish Creek Psychology hold an excellent professional reputation within the community, including parents, families, teachers, pediatricians, and psychiatrists.

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

One of the challenges that come with being a business owner is the financial risk. It takes time to build a business and gain financial stability.

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

  1. Start with a low overhead cost.
  2. Research the value of your service within the general market. Start your fees for service on the lower end of the average range. You can increase your fees as the general market value increases and as your business becomes more stable.
  3. Provide a high-quality service. Be impeccable with your word, work hard to grow your area of expertise, do not work outside of your area of competence, and find team members that share your same goals and values.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://fishcreekpsychology.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FishCreekPsychology

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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