Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laurie Singer, Founder of Laurie Singer Behavioral Services, located in Camarillo, CA, USA.

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

I'm the founder of Laurie Singer Behavioral Services, which is based in Camarillo, CA. I'm a licensed Psychotherapist, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and Family/Child therapist, and my team consists of 25 employees, including behavioral interventionists and board-certified behavior analysts, along with licensed marriage and family therapists. We utilize a relatively uncommon approach to helping those struggling with mental health issues with an integrated Behavioral and Cognitive therapy strategy. Our clients range in age from young children to senior citizens and also include couples and families. Our work covers a wide variety of issues that run the gambit between anxieties and severe mental health conditions. Our goal is to provide the tools to help everyone we work with to live the best life they can.

Tell us about yourself

I started working as a behavior interventionist for a company based in my area. After a short period of time, I realized I could do this on my own if I furthered my education and became a licensed psychotherapist. From the start, I loved helping individuals and families. Seeing a positive change in people helped me dive deeper into my field. Interestingly enough, I had no intention of growing as a company. However, referrals kept coming in, and word of mouth about my methodology and success rate in the area was getting around. I wanted to help people, and with the number of referrals coming in, I could no longer do it alone.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

For me, my biggest accomplishment is the number of families we've helped over the many years. Either through family therapy or individual therapy that impacts the family. I have people come up to me or send emails telling me how we changed their lives in a positive way. The biggest accomplishment is not a measurement of money that is made but how we have impacted individuals' lives. Building self-esteem and self-confidence and empowering parents, children, and individuals is an incredible reward.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is the laws and regulations. I realize that laws are in place for a reason, often to protect employees, and I'm 100 % behind helping someone if they've been wronged in any way. But learning to separate myself as an individual with an emotional response, and learning to see it through the eyes of a business owner making a business decision, took some practice. But it speaks to how important it is to have a good support team and business mentors to lean on.

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

  1. Reach out to at least two other business owners and, in essence, interview them. It can be helpful if they're in a business similar to yours because every industry has its own particular nuances, but it's not necessary. Sometimes people can get defensive if you're in the same line of work and wanting to open a shop on your own. Others just want to help. But getting the on-the-ground perspective from other business owners can be a real eye-opener and help guide your path.
  2. Know the laws and regulations in your state. They can dictate how you run and even grow your business. As an example, I keep my employee number down to 25 because when you get over 25 employees, the laws and pay rates change. So going into it with some knowledge of local regulations can save you headaches and inform decisions down the road.
  3. The biggest tip I can offer is to just go for it! Try not to overanalyze. There are a million and one reasons we can talk ourselves out of opening a business. Or taking almost any risk. But with risk comes reward. I suggest a very simple and common exercise. Take a blank piece of paper, draw a line down the middle of the page, and in one column, write the Pros, and in the other, write the Cons. Be honest with yourself and your gals. From there, I recommend discussing your list with an outsider. Particularly with someone who could be considered a mentor. The way we think things aren't always the way they really are. Discussing your vision with an outsider might temper our goals but shouldn't stop us from moving forward. If anything, we realize that what lives in the "Cons" column all have solutions. And when we grasp that we're in a great position to take the plunge and work towards making our newfound business a success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lauriesingerbehavioral.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieSingerBehavioral
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie__singer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LSBEHAVSVC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-singer-03524b219/

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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