Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mayra Diaz, Founder of Mayra Diaz Therapy, located in North Hollywood, CA, USA.

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

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in working with anxiety, OCD, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). I work with adults, mostly between their 20s and 40s. I have a private practice in Los Angeles, CA, where I use a combination of CBT, ERP, and ACT to help my clients. I am also the author of the Panic Attack Relief Workbook, a client-centered and self-directed workbook on how to deal with panic disorder.

Tell us about yourself

I am one of those people who have always known what they wanted to be in life. I’ve wanted to be a therapist since I was about 13 years old. I have often been told I’m a good listener, love learning about psychological concepts, and am passionate about helping in a meaningful way. Therapy is a perfect fit. I get the wonderful benefit of seeing people grow and thrive every day. Being able to see the change in real time motivates me to keep doing the work. I specialize in anxiety and OCD because treatment can be very effective over a relatively short period of time. I find most people’s struggles with anxiety come from a lack of understanding. It can be terrifying for your body and mind to be going through changes that feel confusing and out of your control. I’m incredibly passionate about helping people learn the underlying science of anxiety and OCD so they can get back to living full lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is going into independent private practice. Taking the leap to practice on my own without the safety net of a company or group came with its own anxiety. But I am so happy that I did because I love the autonomy of being my own boss and being able to practice in the way that feels most authentic to me.

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

The hardest thing is also the best thing. Being independent means getting to work in the area I feel most excited about, being able to set my own schedule, and working with clients that feel like a great fit. But it also means having to learn hard lessons on my own. It can be very isolating. As a business owner, I think it’s important to connect with or create a sense of community around you because you don’t have that built-in through an employer.

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

  1. Make time for rest. When you own a business, it is very tempting to keep trying to solve the problem, build more, and do more. That can quickly lead to burnout. Carve out time to recharge as a necessity instead of a luxury. Taking that break will make it possible for you to keep pushing forward in the future.
  2. Connect with people. As a business owner, you often don’t know what you don’t know until you’re right in the middle of it. Mentors and peers can help make the process of learning a much less bumpy road. There will be tough moments. You’ll need the support of other people to be able to get through. And they can connect you with amazing opportunities you may have never stumbled onto otherwise.
  3. Create the environment that works for you. Stop trying to squash a square peg into a round hole. Leverage the best part of being in business for yourself and make it your own. If you hate mornings, stop working in the morning. If you need a peaceful space to work in, build that out. If you work best in a group, invest in a co-working space. Be honest with yourself about the things you need for success, and give them to yourself.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mayradiaztherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009090088547
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayradiaztherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayra-diaz-1a2b068a/

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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