Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cory Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of HealingMaps, located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

Our business is called HealingMaps, and we are a directory and educational platform for the growing psychedelic-assisted therapy and mental health industry. As the interest in this new form of therapy has grown, we help connect the growing number of psychedelic-curious people with ketamine clinics in their area or psilocybin/ibogaine/ayahuasca retreats globally.

Our customers are people who are interested in mental health. Historically, these compounds (primarily ketamine, psilocybin, ibogaine, ayahuasca, LSD, and DMT, to name a few) have been massively stigmatized by the general public. But as media coverage has increased -- from Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind" to articles in every major newspaper across the globe, along with the publication of an increasing number of studies from vetted institutions — we have seen a drastic shift in public perception. As an example, there are now over 1,500 ketamine clinics in the United States alone. Five years ago, these treatments were seen as a last resort, but now they are commonly seen as the first options for treating a wide range of mental health issues.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in the digital media and marketing space for about 20 years — having worked at brands ranging from AOL to Playboy. About four years ago, I was helping a psychedelics conference and events company with its branding. Covid hit, and everything went over Zoom, which gave me a front-row seat to all the major clinicians and researchers in the psychedelic space presenting the results of their clinical trials. And the results from major institutions like Johns Hopkins, Imperial College of London, and UCLA were jaw-dropping. Whether it was helping with addiction, anxiety, PTSD, or depression...these compounds, which had been so maligned for so long, were shown to have potentially extraordinary benefits. And the public needed to be educated on this research.

It's motivating to see more people from all walks of life be open to the way they think about these compounds. What's been fascinating is to see the growth and array of people who reach out to us interested in treatment. There is no one archetype. Our audience is urban, rural, older, and young, and we feel a sense of mission to not only educate them on which treatment is right for them but to connect them with the best treatment in their area. Psychedelic therapies aren't for everyone, but it feels really good to know that we are helping the ones that are interested and open to it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building something from scratch is very satisfying. And we have built a brand that is helping usher in a new paradigm of mental health treatment — at a time when the topic of mental health itself is coming much more out in the open than it has been in previous generations.

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

This will come as no surprise, but being very flexible while wearing a lot of hats. When you're an entrepreneur, you have to figure a lot of things out on your own — whether you have experience in the task at hand or not. It comes with the territory, so embracing that aspect of the role instead of trying to fight it will go a long way.

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

  1. Never let perfect be the enemy of the good. This is one of the hardest things to deal with (for me, anyway.) There are a million things I want to do and change with HealingMaps, but I have to accept that I can't get them all done (and done right) overnight.
  2. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. If I'm the smartest person in the room, then I'm doing something wrong. The better your team, the better product, brand, etc., you will be putting out into the world. And it will push you and make you better as well.
  3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You'd be surprised how many issues crop up because of a minor miscommunication. Make sure that both you and your team are clear about the task at hand and how it ties into the larger vision. Not only will it build confidence in your team, but it will save time, energy, and in the long run, money.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://healingmaps.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingmaps/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_maps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/corygavinjones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-jones-9811255/

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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