Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen Owen, Owner of The Flourish Center, located in Portland, OR, USA.

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

I own and operate The Flourish Center and the Flourish Integrative Medicine clinic. I combine the best of natural medicine with the best of modern, conventional medicine. My patients appreciate that I can treat them with herbs/supplements, medications, mind-body medicine, and/or hands-on treatments. I love to say that I combine science with a little bit of "woo."

Tell us about yourself

I started studying natural medicine in 1992 when I had repeated sinus infections. The only options offered to me were antibiotics until I met a friend who said I should look into herbs for treatments. I knew nothing about herbal medicine. Once I started learning about alternative modalities, I was hooked. I later became a Registered Nurse to broaden my medical knowledge and then a Nurse Practitioner so that I would diagnose and treat and become a primary care provider.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I moved my practice across the country successfully. I had a clinic thriving in Bloomington, Indiana. When we decided to move to Oregon, I sold that practice and started completely over here in Portland. It was a lot of work and took a lot of guts, and I did it!

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

Owning your own business can be lonely. When you start, you're often alone much of the time, and you don't have a support system. That can take a toll. I'm lucky to have a great assistant now and some wonderful colleagues to support me. And we're looking for other licensed practitioners to share our space and collaborate for a full integrative experience for our patients.

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

  1. Hire a mentor or coach! I wouldn't be where I am today without the support my mentors and coaches have provided. We ambitious types tend to try to do it all alone. There's no reason to do that when amazing support, expertise, and guidance are available.
  2. Do your mindset and personal growth work. Starting your own business will be one of the biggest personal growth experiences of your life. Daily meditation, visualization of your success, journaling, and reading books will be very important to keep you going every day.
  3. Set your business up from the beginning to work for you. So many people set up their businesses like the old job they disliked, and they wonder why they're not happy. For example, I love to listen to my patients and have time to educate them, so my appointments are 40 minutes long. I don't want to have a 15-minute slot where we all feel rushed. And, I tend to fade around 5 pm, so I don't offer evening appointments, even though some said I would "have to." It doesn't serve my patients or me to force my brain to work at times when it's ready for rest.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://theflourishcenter.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflourishcenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenowennp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenowennp/

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.