Establishing your own firm or practice is an incredibly daunting task. From myriad of legal and regulatory hurdles to the financial and career related risks, professionals who choose to start their own firm have to overcome so much and so we wanted to reach out to those who’ve done it successfully for advice, insight and stories.
Stephanie Richard
Even while pursuing my master’s degree, I knew that I wanted to work specifically with the Haitian American community because I recognized the barriers to receiving adequate mental health care. One of the major challenges is that Haitian Americans are often grouped with African Americans in mental health services, and while there are shared experiences, the cultural nuances unique to Haitians aren’t always acknowledged. These differences need to be honored for therapy to truly resonate. Read more>>
Timothy Esguerra
Starting my own chiropractic practice was a journey filled with excitement, challenges, and many learning opportunities. The decision to branch out on my own was driven by a desire to offer a more personalized, patient-centered approach to care. I envisioned creating a practice that focused not only on chiropractic adjustments but also on comprehensive rehabilitation and strength training, all under one roof—a clinic-gym hybrid that emphasized long-term solutions for pain and injury prevention. Read more>>
Megan Oconnor
This is a great question. It is something I wish was covered during my training. It has been a long journey with many lessons I have had to learn along the way through trial and error over the last 15 years. It takes time to build a private massage therapy practice. It is such a personalized service in which success is based on four main factors: visibility, growth, grit, and outsourcing. 1. Visibility: From early on I realized how important a website is, being open to meeting new people (especially when you are hauling a massage table), always carrying business cards, networking, making a good impression, great communication, and professionalism. Over the years, friendships, word of mouth, and now Google/ Yelp reviews, have really helped propel me into working solely for myself. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with referrals and clients who remember me and reach out after long periods of time. Read more>>
Mayra E Sanchez
The journey to starting Rose Lane Wellness began with a personal quest for balance and well-being during my corporate career in the oil and gas industry. I discovered the power of yoga and meditation to manage stress, which eventually inspired me to pursue certifications in Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. This passion for wellness led me to establish my own practice, Rose Lane Wellness, in 2020. Key Steps and Challenges The first steps in establishing my business involved setting a clear vision, completing additional wellness certifications, and selecting a location that could offer a peaceful, nature-rich environment for healing. I also focused on developing unique offerings that aligned with my holistic approach—integrating Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation to support clients’ physical and mental well-being. Read more>>
Christopher James
Through my years practicing as a board-certified anesthesiologist, I felt a void to what I could still be contributing. Recalling my journey of completing my education and training to become a provider, I got a tattoo on my arm each time I concluded a program to commemorate the intensity behind these achievements. From completing my undergraduate program, graduate school, medical school, residency, and fellowship, I have accumulated 5 pieces on my arm to fill a sleeve. My arm serves as a symbolization of my two greatest passions: medicine and tattoos. Over time, my experience in assisting patients with conditions requiring general anesthesia has motivated me to extend my care to individuals interested in tattoos who may have never considered it before. I do understand this method is not for everybody and I respect that. With Sedated Ink, we focus our efforts on ensuring our patients are safe and satisfied with their tattoo procedure. Read more>>
Kristin Johnson
It’s very interesting for me to look at where I am in my career today and think about how exactly I got here. When I chose to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, my initial goal wasn’t to open a private practice. I had every intention of meeting the requirements for school, completing an internship, and hopefully continuing to work at my internship site following my graduation. I realized very early on in my internship experience that my plans would be changing dramatically. After completing my internship at two different group practices, I realized I would not be happy in a group practice setting and I knew I could be successful in private practice. Read more>>