Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Roberts. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ben, appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
I’ve always known I wanted to go into counseling. Attending college I had a mission and vision years before ever starting.
So Step 1. Have a vision, know why you want to do something.
I also understood the necessary steps I had to take, so upon graduating with my bachelors; I prepped for graduate school and used my connections to think about licensure and supervision afterwards. My wife and I even moved to Nashville just so I could do supervision.
So my other piece of advice would be have a plan and position your self for success.
Fast Forward in 2017 I began my practice. As a young Black man, there were incredibly few counselors and therapists who looked like me, so I felt it important to create an opportunity.
Fast forward to now, I co-own Purposed Life, LLC with my wife. When I first started in 2017 I was doing the practice part-time. However, now owning a business full-time has brought lots of twists and turns.
Seeking mentorship and utilizing resources such as local chapters of organizations focused on mental health and small business resources – have been a huge help.
So my last piece of advise is don’t act like you know everything. I’m a great counselor, but I needed to learn to new skills to become a great business owner and leader.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For me, it all began in college. As a freshman, I knew when I graduated I wanted to go into counseling and have a private- practice someday.
I got my start in Memphis, TN. The city is very special because as a founding employee in the M.A.P.S program for youth, which I was employed during my senior year, it solidified my desire to develop interventions and well-ness-focused solutions for the community that are culturally relevant.
Currently, under Purposed Life, LLC offer counseling, training and assessments with a focus and promise on being culturally-relevant, using evidence-based tools, and being innovative.
I’m also, very passionate about passionate about men’s mental health, he wants to create more safe spaces for men to heal and explore their mental and emotional health.
I enjoy pubic speaking, and always welcome opportunities share with the community. You can book me sending an inquiry through our website.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
My business partner is my wife, Dr. Erica Roberts, EdD. We met in college and married in 2013. She has a non-profit background. In 2020 my wife did her doctoral work on Emotional Intelligence. She has a passion to help leaders and teams utilize emotional intelligence to strengthen and grow. So, in 2021 we combined forces and she is Owner and Lead Consultant, primarily working with businesses.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One of the most profound books I read and a mentor suggested was “Who Moved My Cheese?” – An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life. It’s a short read, but packs really great message about moving out of your comfort zone and also about how fear can impact your decisions. You just have to read it for yourself.
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