Equine Assisted Therapy - Institut du Ressenti

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Martine Boucher, Co-Founder of Institut du Ressenti, located in Compton, QC, Canada.

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

It's a horse-assisted therapy for any person who deals with post-traumatic stress disorder, who has issues with mental health, or any person who wants to get better and reintegrate into society.

Tell us about yourself

I went through a lot of difficulties in my life. I had mental health problems, a few burnouts, liver cancer cells, I lost everything with two babies, I lived with a violent man for 18 years, I stayed in the relationship because I was very emotionally dependent, I wanted to die many, many times and on top of everything, as you can imagine, I had no confidence in myself at all. At one point, I decided to take charge of my life, and I wanted to get rid of the victim situation that I had always lived in.

I met a person who coached me (I had a boutique at that time) in the know-how instead of expertise. I discovered who I really am. Beginning from there, I discovered my abilities, and I created a therapeutic approach based on my life experience. I knew from there why my life was what it was. I had to do something with it. If I recovered from all my difficulties, I would help everybody to do it.

My motivation is to see people coming through me with a huge backpack full of problems and when we work together with the horses, they leave without the backpack, full of confidence in themselves, ready to hit the road again!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

After all the storms, I'm still here. Other than that, it's the fact that I save lives. Really. I have so many stories to tell about all the transformations that I have seen. It's so rewarding.

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

I sometimes say that I am the locomotive because the employees don't always have the drive that the owner has, so sometimes it's heavy to pull the train, and sometimes I would like to lean on someone, but it's small thoughts compared to all the rewards that I have.

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

Surround yourself with trusted people.
Do not work 90 hours per week. It's a belief that you have to work that many hours to succeed. However, you have to take time for yourself, or your business won't go far.
Your business vision is one of the most important parts of your business plan. With a clear vision of what you want to achieve, you will make your decision based on that vision so you will accomplish your plan and yourself! :)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://institutduressenti.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/institutduressenti
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/institutduressenti/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institut-du-ressenti-corp/

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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