Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Faiza Bhatti, Co-Founder of Yellow Umbrella Wellness, located in Oakville, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a mental wellness clinic serving the city of Oakville and the surrounding GTA. We offer Psychotherapy services for anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, newcomer support, fertility issues, grief, relationship concerns, and so much more. We work with teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
Tell us about yourself
We (Faiza, Anita, and Maureen) began working together in 2016 in a different office. We worked so well together that we decided to venture out and start our own therapy clinic. Our vision is aligned with what we want our clinic to represent and how we want to work with our clients.
Our goal is to eventually bring all aspects of wellness under one roof to serve our clients from a holistic lens. The idea of growing our services to incorporate all aspects of mental wellness is what motivates us to keep going. We are advocates of mental health and believe everyone should have the opportunity to feel stronger.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment as business owners has been surviving the struggle of covid. We worked harder than ever before during the height of covid. We ensured our doors remained open and our services available for anyone to access. We continued to offer both in-person and virtual services for the convenience of our clients, and we are thankful that we were a strong support system for our clients during a difficult time.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a small business owner is being able to say 'no' to our clients and learning when to stand behind our services and their value. It is difficult when you are trying to grow and want to keep clients happy. However, at the same time, our services are valuable, and it is important we help our clients understand this and why we have to say 'no' to certain requests.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- There are people in your life who will tell you not to take the leap and start your own business - don't listen to them and do it anyway.
- Ride the wave. You will have moments of doubt (we sure did), but keep pushing through and pursue your passion, and you will come out the other side stronger.
- Try to remain as current as possible - trends, training, networking, etc. It is so easy to get immersed in your own world when you start a business, and so staying current with the trends, networking, and updating your skills through new training will allow you to grow the way you want to.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We are three minority women who believe that anything is possible and work hard every day to break those glass ceilings and make our dreams come true!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.yuwellness.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YUWELLNESS1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuwellness/
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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