Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Antonia Balfour, Owner of Yin Yang Dermatology, located in Pacific Palisades, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Yin Yang Dermatology is all about healing chronic skin conditions holistically. I prescribe Chinese herbs (that patients drink as teas) together with topical creams and salves made from botanicals. Most of my patients suffer from inflammatory conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and peri-oral dermatitis.
Tell us about yourself
My practice of Chinese medicine has evolved over the 22 years that I’ve been in business. In my early years in practice, I was more of a generalist. I always sought out great mentors. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I suffered from a terribly itchy skin condition called PUPPP. One of the most frustrating things was the feeling that I didn't know enough about healing the skin with herbal medicine. For years I'd heard about a master herbalist, Mazin Al-Khafaji, who was in England. At first, I thought that studying with him was just a pipe dream because he was so far away. But eventually, I decided to take the plunge and do a graduate diploma program with him in London.
I am motivated by both successes in my practice and challenging cases. There's nothing more rewarding than a patient who reports that a course of herbs that healed their skin has totally changed their life or given them their life back. At the same time, difficult cases that don't progress as quickly as I'd like motivate me to study more and learn more.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I never considered myself a "good" businessperson, but I always had a solid vision of how I wanted my practice to be. It grew slowly over time. My biggest accomplishment has been sticking with the vision while also allowing it to change and evolve over time.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Most businesses have busy and slow periods. As a self-employed person, one of the hardest things for me has been to use time wisely during slow periods. There's so much that can be accomplished in these times. (And so many things I wish I had time for when I'm busy). Finding balance with time management is an ongoing challenge.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn how to take great photos and videos. In today's world, just about any business needs to have an attractive online presence.
- Learn to manage time efficiently.
- Focus on self-care. Owning a business means your work is never "done." Make a commitment to carving out time for the things that are nurturing and important to you (whether it be regular massages, exercise, meditation, preparing healthy foods, or simply doing breathing exercises every day).
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.yinyangdermatology.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyangdermatology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yinyangderm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/yinyangderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonibalfour/
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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