Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elizabeth van't Riet, founder of Mirror Therapy & Life Coaching, located in Orlando, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the Founder of Mirror Therapy & Life Coaching. What started as a solo blog project called "Girl in the Mirror," which is still a space for me to share my own story and growth, became a passion for helping others along the same path. Together with my partner, Michael Hutchinson, LMHC, we endeavor to help individuals access their truest and most authentic selves. We continue to help our clients overcome the barriers that life can throw and be able to live authentically in the present.
My business focuses on growth through the use of therapy, life coaching, and a variety of other talks, movement, and sound-based healing techniques. Our goal is to help people see their true selves and find confidence and empowerment by living more authentically. Clients of Mirror TLC are people seeking to make the change, stop reacting, and start to experience the world around them. Our clients come from all walks of life, growth has no age limit, and it's never too soon to start along the path of empowerment and healing!
Tell us about yourself
When I first discovered life coaching, it was like a part of my mind unlocked, and I finally found a way to work with my mind instead of fighting against it. I found that I needed a different approach than had been presented to me in traditional therapy. This leads me to study many different methods of mindfulness and healing, positive psychology, NLP, yoga, and Tibetan sound bowl healing. This led me to become a Professional Mindfulness and Empowerment Life Coach, certified in Positive Psychology, NLP, and 100hr Meditation Teacher (CMT).
I've learned to apply the best parts of each method with a focus on removing self-judgment and authentic living.
The growth that I experienced for myself motivated me to want to help others who, like me, maybe hadn't found the inner power that was being sought after in traditional therapy. The look on someone's face and the sound of their voice when they connect dots for themselves through discussion or when the resonance of the sound bowls helps someone move through an emotional block keeps me motivated to help others live as authentically as I get to every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
For me, each client that I have is my success! Bringing value to my clients and teaching them the tools to overcome mental challenges is my favorite part of what I do. Having a business and building up a community that is full of love, kindness, healing, and empowerment that touches so many lives feels like success. Seeing that continue to grow has been amazing; even still, each client continues to be my excitement. I love transforming lives!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Prioritization has been a hard lesson learned! It has taken time to balance out the intricacies of running a business while not losing focus on my true goal - transforming lives and living authentically. Maintaining a balance between work vs. play isn't easy, especially with working in my home. The more I remember to value myself, the better I can perform.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The most important tip is to know why you do what you do! No matter if you're a coach, crafter, teacher, musician, or stay-at-home parent, being able to tell yourself why you go through the not-so-fun parts of running a business. Social media and posting isn't my favorite thing to plan out, but it's worth it to help one person grow. Find a reason that truly drives you to help stay on track with your business' mission.
Secondly, don't lose yourself in the business. It's easy to forget your own needs for the sake of work, but not taking care of yourself mentally or physically catches up eventually! You are worth taking care of, don't forget that! Never stop focusing on your own personal growth even as you develop others around you.
Every person you meet is there to teach you something. Approach life as a student ready to learn more, and you'll be surprised how fast you grow and what opportunities can open up!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Mirror TLC is the grown-up business for Girl in the Mirror. The Girl in the Mirror Life (GITM LIFE) project endeavors to open up the communication for mental health and healthy living and provide tips, tricks, mindsets, and more. I encourage you to follow along both with Mirror TLC and support the GITM Life project to open up more opportunities for mental health content.
No matter where you are in life, remember that you are worth it. You are worth taking care of, you are worthy of kindness, and you deserve to be seen!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://girlinthemirror.life/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlintheMirrorLife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlinthemirrorlife/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GITM_Life
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizvantriet/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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