Breathe, Reflect, and Connect

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Liana Yip, Clinical Director of Liana Yip Counselling, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

We are a small, Vancouver-based counselling clinic offering a range of services, including counselling for individuals and couples, EMDR, walk-and-talk therapy, and support for children and youth. We see folks who would like to gain deeper insight into their lived experience and who would like to connect with greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their lives. We work with clients who are wrestling with the anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief inherent in our human experience. We support our clients in exploring strengths, areas of growth, and what steps they'd like to take next in this wild journey called life.

Tell us about yourself

I have always known that I wanted to work in private practice. However, I was really driven to go solo after working in the system for a few years on a mental health team where I felt limited in my scope of practice and the effectiveness of the work and disillusioned and disheartened in general by the work environment. I now feel aligned with the work that I offer and the team that I support. I am motivated each day by the feeling of meaning and purpose in work and by seeing others connect with meaning and purpose in their lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Getting here! I hadn't planned on taking on a team of associates. However, I have been open to possibilities. I have taken opportunities and made decisions intuitively along the way. The process of building trust with myself with each decision I have made has been huge.

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

I find that being a business owner means that I could potentially be working 24/7, and there would still be more to do! Work/life balance is an ongoing learning for me. Though it has gotten easier over the years, I continue to have to be really resolute on a self-care routine and saying no to clients (and admin work) when I am at capacity to prevent burnout.

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

Listen to your intuition.
Allow yourself to be human and vulnerable. You don't have to know everything or have everything figured out.
Have fun with it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lianayipcounselling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lianayipcounselling/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liana_yip_counselling/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liana-yip-ma-mcp-rcc-5b9a321/

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.