Your Guide to Healing - Illuminate Counselling
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexandra Stewart, Co-Founder of Illuminate Counselling, located in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We provide counselling services for young professionals and couples, with a special focus on fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum concerns. We also provide free & low-cost online resources for those who may not be ready to start counselling, or to complement their therapy journey!
Tell us about yourself
Working in women's health is what I'm passionate about. My whole life, I've been surrounded by women who are always striving to be better versions of themselves. I was drawn to the world of reproductive mental health at a young age and more recently experienced some personal heartbreaks and celebrations in this area. So I get to tap into both my clinical and personal experiences when working with clients.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Expanding our business and adding more therapists to the team. Growth feels like a reflection that maybe we know what we're doing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Separating personal and business. I care so much about our business and it's easy to let that slip into family time, being less present and thinking about all the to-do items in the wee hours of the night.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just get started. So many people do the perfectionistic thing where they are paralyzed by fear, to wanting to take a step until it feels "perfect" or "complete" in their minds.
- Stay value-aligned. Your business will change and grow, but when you find yourself unsure about a direction to take, come back to your original core values.
- Rest. Block time in your schedule for rest or personal time. No one benefits when you're feeling burnt out.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We are proud to be a women-owned business supporting other women. Reproductive mental health affects everyone in the family system and community. When our women (or people with ovaries & uteruses) aren't well, our communities aren't well.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://illuminate-online.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brighterpathforward
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3IHYXjl
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3o7IBH5
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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