Mindful Support for the Journey Ahead-Parenting Pathfinders

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Felder, LCSW, MA, Founder and CEO of Parenting Pathfinders, Inc., located in Queens, NY, USA.

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

Parenting Pathfinders provides online therapy to individuals, couples, and co-parents, as well as coaching and workshops to support parents and caregivers along their journey of raising kids. Thoughtfully designed to meet your family's unique needs, our services offer fresh perspectives, practical tools, and age-appropriate language to help caregivers address parenting challenges in a way that's mindful, intentional, and effective. Our community of clients includes new and seasoned parents and caregivers, as well as educators, mental health professionals, and childcare workers who want to gain a deeper understanding of child development and learn new ways of interacting with the children in their care. Parenting Pathfinders has recently taken its support for families a step further and launched its first product -- an undated daily calendar with a new parenting tool, strategy, or piece of insight each day.

Tell us about yourself

I've always been driven toward a helping profession, and I wanted a career that would allow me to create positive changes in the world. Since I began studying to be a social worker, I've been drawn to work that involves supporting children and families for as long as I can remember; I've been amazed at what powerful role parents and caregivers play in shaping a child and therefore shaping the world. The idea to create Parenting Pathfinders came to me in the fall of 2019. I was beginning my 10th year as a school social worker and was excited to begin the year, but I had an overwhelming urge to help families in a bigger and broader way than only within the walls of my school community. There were so many effective tools and strategies that I had been able to share with the families that I worked with, and I wanted to create a way for families everywhere to have access to these tools and strategies too. Knowing that there's a child being spoken to a little differently, a parent feeling more ready with what to say in a hard moment, or helping a family learn how to end unhealthy patterns that have been passed down for generations really fuels me to do this work each day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Becoming a sought-after voice in the fields of parenting and child development. Over the last two years, I've had the honor of being invited to contribute my knowledge and insight to over 30 major online and print publications, podcasts, and television segments, as well as to provide keynote addresses and facilitate professional development workshops with various schools, universities, and organizations.

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

For me, it's been finding the best way to incorporate the time I spend running and growing my business into all the other aspects of my life in a way that allows me to show up fully while I'm working and allows me to show up fully in all the other areas of my life when they're my focus. I've found that a common experience amongst business owners is the feeling that there's always something to do (because there likely is!), and because I run my business from home, it can be tricky to maintain those necessary work/home/life boundaries. Being intentional with my time and schedule in my calendar, important things like self-care or time to exercise, time at the park with my kids, a date with my partner, or meditation can help me be sure those things remain a priority.

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

Pursue something that you're genuinely passionate about and that allows you to help others at the same time.
Be consistent. Commit to doing at least one thing every day that benefits your business. This thing can be big or small, such as going to an event, making a post, or sending an email – just do something.
Not every opportunity that comes your way is going to be fruitful for your business, and that's ok! Stay focused on the long game and true to the heart of your brand.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.parentingpathfinders.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_pathfinders/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parentingpathfinders/

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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