Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathleen M Yopp, Owner of Helping Hands Therapy Services, PLLC., located in Virginia Beach, VA, USA.

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

Helping Hands Therapy Services is a woman-owned private Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Practice. We provide PT, OT, ST, developmental services, and early intervention to children throughout Hampton Roads.

We offer both in-home, clinic-based outpatient, and community-based services. In addition, we are contracted with Virginia's Early Intervention Programs, which provides therapy services to children with medical issues or delayed developmental skills, and we qualify for the program.

Tell us about yourself

I have been an occupational therapist since I graduated college. I moved to Hampton Roads right after college, where I began my career at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. I worked full-time as an OT until my twins were born and then was able to work part-time for a short period. I knew that I didn't want to work full time, and I wanted to spend as much time with my babies as possible.

Shortly after having them, I became divorced. I changed jobs to continue staying home as much as possible. However, I needed to return to work full-time to care for my family. In 2012, I decided that the only way I could stay at home more with my kids was to start my own business. This was never my plan, but I desperately wanted to stay home with my babies as much as possible.

So in 2012, I started my own in-home therapy company, which operated from my house. By doing in-home, I was able to minimize my expenses and overhead. I researched what was needed and was able to initiate insurance contracts and align everything I needed while working two other jobs. My business quickly grew, and within a few months, I was able to depend on my business as the sole source of income.

My business has grown in the past ten years. My twins are now 13, and my company has grown. My twins are my life. I started this company for them. They motivate me to make a difference in families' lives. We have been through a lot as a family, and I know that if I can make a difference in just one family's life from what we have been through and what I have learned, it is worth it. My focus at work is improving relationships with families and helping them in their areas of struggle.

We teach the families strategies to help them with their children. I am now motivated to be a community-based service provider. I think outside the box. I am incorporating holistic and non-traditional therapy techniques to help families where they are struggling the most. I want to help families and their children so they do not need to work.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

They told me I couldn't do it. But I did. They said you are a single mom, you won't be able to juggle it, but I did. They said you couldn't compete with the other, more prominent companies, but I do. Because I provide different services that they can't, they refer to me.

What started ten years ago as a company of one (me) is now a company of 40. I have excellent therapists and office staff. My team is fantastic. God has supported me every step of the way, and I am amazed at the doors that continue to open. I am so thankful for this and that I can make a difference in the lives of these families.

I am now in the process of starting a non-profit. I want to go out to the communities so we can continue to make a difference in the lives of families by empowering them with knowledge and tools.

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

There needs to be more time. I want to be a mom first, always. I believe strongly in the importance of family. At times, I have to put work things on the back burner to get things taken care of with my family. Delegating is hard as well. Being able to know what duties to give to who and equipping them with the knowledge and tools to be a success.

But that takes time. Finances are also a struggle as you have to budget well. Service-based providers are paid based on the services provided. So we need to account for times when business is slow, and the income goes down. The bigger we grow, the harder that is to manage.

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

I never planned for my business to grow to where it is. Because of that, I should have been more organized.

  1. Be organized at the start. The organization will keep you sane.
  2. Treat your employees with respect, and develop active listening and communication skills.
  3. Be bold and think outside of the box.
  4. Don't listen to the voices of those who won't support you in your dream and vision.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.helpinghandstherapyservices.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsTherapyServices
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpinghandstherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-yopp-95a56346

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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