Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Barbara Padron, Owner of Moving Toward Agape, Inc., located in Palmetto Bay, FL, USA.

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

Moving Toward Agape is a mental health group practice that services children ages 5 + and adults. We provide individual, family, and couples therapy. We work with various clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, substance abuse, co-dependency, eating disorders, anxiety due to life changes, grief, and co-parenting, to name a few. We're available on the weekends in the office and through telehealth.

Tell us about yourself

I've been working as a licensed marriage and family therapist since 2007. I've worked with a variety of nonprofit agencies specializing in family therapy and trauma. Throughout my years working with survivors of domestic violence and abuse, I've witnessed the God-given power of resilience. I've learned that no matter what kind of cards we've been dealt, we all have the power to overcome them once we learn to love ourselves and others in the healthiest form. I decided to start my own business because I wanted to experience work-life balance, be the healthiest version of myself and continue to sharpen my skills using EMDR to help others heal. EMDR is an evidence-based model proven to work for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and various symptoms. Having my own business allows for more time to continuously sharpen my skills and surround myself with a team of like-minded clinicians.

Moving Toward Agape, Inc.'s work culture is one that values work/life balance. We believe that staying healthy and working in a supportive environment prevents burnout and helps us give a great quality of care that is trauma-informed, compassionate, and effective. The word Agape in our company name means the purest form of love. It is selfless, unshakeable, healthy, and secure. Our mission is to model and teach this healthy form of love to all clients through our skills. Our focus is to help clients heal from the pain in their lives and learn to love themselves so they can accept who they are and thrive.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm so grateful that my team has solidified the way it has. It's definitely not something I've gotten an award for, but it's so rewarding to watch these clinicians change the lives of others. It's a pretty big deal, at least I think anyway that I get to be in their presence on a regular basis, working towards the same goal of healing lives and learning from each other along the way. We are a very dynamic bunch who work hard and can laugh while we do it. Sustaining the same group of clinicians and developing a great work culture for the past three years really fuels me.

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

Having to become a jack of all trades very quickly can be scary. The constant fluctuation of growth, error, and sometimes slow learning has challenged me. I've had to learn a variety of things that graduate school did not prepare me for, so I think taking the leap, believing in myself, and loving myself along with all of my mistakes has been so eye-opening and life-changing.

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

  1. From the moment you discover the desire to become a business owner, you must speak to people who believe in you and will lift you up. It's so easy to become discouraged by people who do not understand your desire and vision. Your working knowledge about how to execute your vision might not be solid or clear to you, so speaking to people who will listen and motivate you is conducive to exploration, brainstorming, and dreaming.
  2. Eat, sleep and exercise because if your health suffers, so will your business. People will depend on you, and if you cannot manage your life well, a ripple effect will take place throughout your business, negatively affecting the work culture and the clients you serve. It sounds simple, but it's a practice you will need to refine along the way.
  3. Count the cost of starting and sustaining your business, both personally and financially. Understand the financial risks involved so you can plan accordingly. Take into account the time it will take to be great at running your business and accept that you will need to sacrifice some of your time, especially if you are still working a 9-5. I worked a very part-time job, about 4-5 hours every Saturday, for three years as I held my 9-5. I really had to practice self-care and be selective on what to invest my energy on. I knew it was temporary, and I was willing to do it. That's not to say people need to do this; it's different for everyone. I opened the practice in 2018 as a solo therapist and scaled up to a group practice with four other therapists. I usually don't work weekends; however, there are still some days, including weekends, that require my extra time. As I mentioned, everyone's process is different, so be patient as you learn how to manage your risks, rewards, and willingness to go the extra mile.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.movingtowardagape.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtowardgodslove/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movingtowardagape_therapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/movingtowardagape/

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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