The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
As any business owner knows, starting your first business can be tough financially as there’s usually an initial outlay of money to set it up. I surrounded myself with like-minded, supportive businesswomen who motivated and encouraged me to continue to grow. I tracked my budget and found a great accountant to assist me. I backed myself but was also aware of which aspects of my business required additional support. I invested time and money into marketing and sought assistance from a social media expert and virtual assistant. I found that it takes time to see a return on your investment, whether it is money or time. Once you do, it will only drive you more!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros are that I enjoy the flexibility, especially when it comes to family. I am in control of my working hours, which allows me to manage my self-care.
In terms of cons, if you’re the boss, it’s hard to call in sick! If I don’t work, I don’t get paid, unless I choose to grow my business into a team of counsellors. I’m one person, but I have recently understood the benefit of outsourcing and planning ahead with marketing.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope to have my online courses available soon, focusing firstly on the female autism phenotype. I developed a tool during my PhD to assist parents, teachers and other health professionals to be able to have common language and understanding when supporting autistic girls in the primary classroom. My dream is where seeing a mental health therapist is as normal as seeing any other health professional because mind health matters.
Visit the Running Minds website to find out more about the services they offer. You can also join their supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
