Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kerry Maisels, President of Kerry Maisels Behaviour Consulting Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

KMBC Inc. is a private practice in the Toronto region, providing ABA (applied behaviour analysis) to children and youth ages 18 months to 18 years. We work with children who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder as well as other neurodevelopmental delays. Our goal is to increase skills in the areas of communication, social skills, daily living skills, gross and fine motor skills, and pre-academic/academic skills such as attending, following routines, and participating in group activities. We also support by addressing behaviours that may pose a barrier to learning and engaging in meaningful opportunities in the child's home, community, and/or school. In addition to this, we provide supervision and training to new therapists entering the field, as well as consultative services to parents and agencies looking for education and professional development.

Tell us about yourself

As a teenager, I knew I wanted to work with children. I was lucky enough to secure a job at a day camp during my summers off. This was the first time I worked with children with autism, and I loved seeing the progress each child made from year to year. I knew right away I wanted to learn more about autism and the science of applied behaviour analysis (ABA). While working as an instructor therapist and soon after as a clinical supervisor and manager, I was able to earn my Masters of Education with a focus in Autism Studies. In 2013 I became a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). I have worked at large publicly funded agencies in the GTA as well as some smaller private centres. In 2018, I decided to start my own practice. I was motivated to help families navigate good clinical services, and I wanted to train and support others in the field. My work is very special to me. I am honoured when families choose my team to support them on their journey. Every day, we get to celebrate these amazing children and their families as they grow and learn, and for that, I am grateful!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is building a team of exceptional therapists! When I first started, I was the only clinician in the practice, but year after year, I have had unbelievable clinicians join the practice, all with a vast amount of experience and with the motivation and determination to provide the highest quality of service to the families and teams we work with.

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

The absolute hardest thing is learning to say "no." The waitlists for services for children with autism in Ontario are outrageously long, and it is exceptionally challenging to speak to parents who are desperate for service but can't get in anywhere! I wish we could serve all the families that call us, but I have learned that in order to provide the highest quality of service, we can only take on what we have room for. Unfortunately, this means some families end up waiting for service.

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

  1. Lean on your friends and family who have experience and expertise in areas you feel are outside of your scope.
  2. Invest in your team!
  3. Find time to set it aside. Work will always be there, and when you are a business owner, it is a challenge to turn off those notifications! But if you don't take care of yourself, you will not be able to run a successful business and care for your clients and team.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kerrymaisels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmbehaviourconsulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmbehaviourconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3yF4lQu

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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