Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Marie Holmes, owner of L’AB Studio x Clinic, located in Meaford, ON, Canada.

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

I am the owner of L’AB, a Holistic Health Clinic, Fitness Studio, and natural product Apothecary. We serve a wide range of people suffering from different ailments, both chronic and acute, self-care seekers and fitness lovers.

Tell us about yourself

I was first introduced to holistic health care when I was 17 years old after a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. The support I received as a suffering young woman is the motivation that drives me now - to pay it forward and empower others to take control of the outcome of their own health. At L’AB, we promote preventative medicine, nature’s cure, and vitalism.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think that my biggest accomplishment as a business owner thus far is creating a safe space for both practitioners and patients to come together and heal. So much of our world is virtual now, but the healing powers of touch, of truly being seen and heard, and of course, gathering and sharing stories are not meant to be underestimated. I cannot reach my personal goals alone, so with the help of a team and this physical space I have built, our impact within the community is like a ripple effect.

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

I think that one of the biggest challenges I face as a business owner is setting boundaries for myself. As a people pleaser and the bridge between patients and practitioners, I find myself bending and accommodating other people more than I do for myself. In part, it is the nature of the beast - this is my business, and no one cares more about it than I do. At the same time, though, there needs to be a point where you give yourself permission to rest and find peace in the grind.

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

  1. Be prepared to work harder than you imagined and sacrifice. Being a business owner isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always fun, and it isn’t always comfortable. Your social life will have to take a backseat, and not everyone will understand it. But that’s okay. Short-term pain for long-term gain.
  2. Charge your friends and family. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but it is your friends and family who know how hard you are working, struggling, and trying. They should be the first ones to step up and support you fully. Save the discounts for recruiting new clients or customers through promotions. Once you have the financial stability to give discounts to friends and family, then, of course, take very good care of them.
  3. Surround yourself with a good team. My definition of “good” is hard-working and kind. You can’t have one and not the other. Take good care of your team too. Treat them well, and they will be loyal to you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://labstudioclinic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lab.studio.clinic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lab.studio.clinic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BotanicalsbyLAB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamarieholmesinc/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.