Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Thea and Duane Harvey, Founders of Harvey Center for Relationships, located in Santa Monica, CA, USA.

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

Harvey Center for Relationships is a boutique couples counseling practice specializing in enhancing couples' relationships and sexual pleasure through healing and innovative services, products, and technology. Thea and Duane Harvey work with couples to rekindle and maintain their love for each other and help individuals find love and improve their relationships. Seeking relationship advice from friends and family is a common mistake that often worsens the situation. Our approach helps couples discover the hidden meaning in their conflict so they can resolve it.

Relationships require us to challenge our assumptions and often go against conventional wisdom. Following our instincts can sometimes reinforce negative patterns, leading to a stalemate or feeling stuck. As licensed marriage and family therapists and certified Imago Relationship therapists, we provide personalized guidance to couples and individuals facing romantic challenges. Our approach involves teaching valuable skills that break negative cycles of interaction, improve communication, and enhance intimacy. Harvey Center of Relationships strives to support couples in achieving a long-lasting and joyful union.

Tell us about yourself

Becoming relationship experts was not our initial plan. Duane found his way into this field more than three decades ago following a heartbreak, while Thea learned how to make love endure by connecting with Duane. Together, we founded the Harvey Center for Relationships. As licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and certified Imago Relationship Therapists, we practice what we preach to help couples build strong, gratifying, and passionate relationships.

We have been married for over seventeen years and have a 13-year-old daughter, and Duane has five children and five grandchildren. The entire Harvey family was raised on Imago Therapy principles, and several have gone on to practice as health care professionals. It is this larger entity we call the Harvey Center for Relationships.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As owners of a relationship center specializing in couples therapy, our most significant accomplishment is undoubtedly the sense of mastery we have obtained after many years of working with couples. By honing our practice and constantly refining our skills, we have become experts in our field and can provide our clients with the highest level of care.

Additionally, we have built an efficient infrastructure that ensures our practice works effectively, allowing us to focus on what matters most - working with and supporting our clients through their journey. Our commitment to excellence and dedication to our clients has significantly impacted hundreds of couples' lives. We are proud to continue providing the highest quality counseling to those in need.

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

As couples therapists, one of the hardest challenges is dealing with the emotional drama that often comes with working with clients struggling in their relationships. These clients may be experiencing intense emotions, such as anger, sadness, and disappointment, and may bring these emotions into their sessions with us. We help them manage these emotions, navigate their relationships' ups and downs, and guide them in turning things around. This requires a high level of skill, patience, and empathy, and it can sometimes be emotionally taxing. However, the rewards of supporting our clients to deepen their connection and find greater happiness and fulfillment make it all worth it.

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

The following entrepreneurial tips we also advocate in the therapy office with our couples.

  1. Embrace a growth mindset and understand that every conflict is an opportunity to learn. Rather than seeing conflicts as failures, view them as opportunities to gather information, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary changes. Adopting this mindset will help you stay focused on your goals and help you develop resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. This mindset is also helpful for couples as they learn new communication and intimacy skills. We suggest couples adopt a "try and see" approach as they tend to their relationship.
  2. Continuously improve and learn new skills. Push yourself to grow and fine-tune your services. This means investing in professional development, attending industry events, and seeking customer feedback. Similarly, couples are encouraged to learn new things together and go on novel dates. Partaking in new activities will ignite the passion from the early days of their courtship.
  3. To be a successful business owner, you need commitment. Business ownership requires perseverance and dedication to address obstacles and challenges. Long-term relationships also require commitment. When you fully commit to your business or romantic relationship, your greatest hardships can become your most profound learning. Commitment leads to success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://harveycenterforrelationships.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thea.harvey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveycenterforrelationships/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theaharvey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-harvey-b519466/

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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