Don't Struggle Alone

/ b.mindful Louisville/

As solo-entrepreneurs we do a lot on our own. We are the ones who are delivering the services to our clients, doing the billing, tracking the expenses - the list is endless. Maybe we outsource here and there - hire an accountant to file our taxes or a cleaning crew to tidy up the office - but for the most part - we are doing it all on our own.

This extends past the logistical day in and day out service providing and business set up - this also means we are doing all the business brain storming and innovation on our own too. Maybe we want to start offering workshops, or groups, or supervision - again something we are very capable of doing but likely needs lots of research, and figuring out - and we are likely doing this all alone.

For the most part, we do not mind doing things alone and honestly may be one of the main reasons we are in business for ourselves - true autonomy.

But I am here to remind people that they can still be in business for themselves - keep as much of their profits as possible - and still have community and support around them. We all don’t have to be sitting here struggling in our own different ways - alone.

Not saying you aren’t going to struggle in owning your own business - because there will be hardships - but you don’t have to do it alone.

In building a community for yourself in private practice you will see so many benefits from this!

Listen to yourself: There is no one right way to do this but being intentional about how you go about it can be really vital to making it a success for you. If you are not one for meeting lots of people at once - then don’t go the big networking event route. Maybe start out with something more naturally your speed and get online and build some digital connections, ask someone to a virtual coffee date, do a small clinical consultation group, etc.

Learn from others: One of the many things you will learn from being in connection with others in private practice is learning from others mistakes. One of our most popular blogs highlights some made by seasoned clinicians and what they would do differently now.

No need to reinvent the wheel: We all have the power to run our practices how we would like - as long as it is within our scope of practice, legal and ethical - but we do not need to reinvent the wheel for most business structures and systems. Research, listen and learn from others in business as to what worked for them and what might work for you. Try some things on and then allow your creativity and personality add to it - no need to start from scratch.

Don’t gatekeep: So embrace hearing others stories and learning from what they did not know when starting out. Then when you are a year or so into it - repay the favor and share the knowledge of building your practice with someone else who is starting their journey. We are not in competition with each other as providers - there is no need to hoard and keep our business practices secret. We should be openly sharing and lifting each other up. The smoother we can run our businesses - the lighter we will feel - the more present we will be for our clients - and then more healing can happen in the world.

Not the last thing that community will do for you - there are so many more benefits to it other than what is listed here. But the last thing I will talk about is that connection with other like minded people will keep you on track and make sure you are doing all the things you “have to do” for your state/license. Each state/license has different business rules and regs and each licensing board surely likes to have unique things they require of us. Being in community and connecting with others can assist you in staying up to date with what is required of you to maintain in compliance with HIPAA, regulations, best business practices, etc. I cannot name the amount of times I have been at a therapist networking event or grabbing a coffee with a colleague where they mention something about some new regulation or shift happening next month that affects me and my business that I never heard of before. Since I am in solo private practice - if I did not have community, who knows when or if I would have found out the information (because we know our boards, etc. are not always the best at sending information our way). Not that community wipes away all the struggle that may come with implementing different business practices, etc. - because that all still sucks - but it can definitely ease the loneliness felt around it, amount of time researching and googling things trying to figure out what is expected and more.

If you are having a hard time figuring out where to start in finding a community for yourself - start with us! We have a community membership designed for those helping professionals in private practice in the Louisville area who are seeking community, networking opportunities, and support. We have created a safe, fun, easy way for you to connect with other like minded individuals. Learn more here.