We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kym Tolson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kym below.
Kym , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
A few years ago, my boyfriend and I decided to take a leap and become digital nomads. We left behind the traditional lifestyle of owning or renting a permanent home and chose to explore the world by living in Airbnb’s, moving from place to place as we worked remotely.
At first, the transition was difficult as we had to adjust to living in new environments and moving to a new home ever couple of weeks. However, we quickly fell in love with the freedom and flexibility that came with being digital nomads. I continued to see my psychotherapy clients through telehealth appointments, and I even created eight other income streams that required less of my time and allowed me to earn semi-passive income while I traveled the world.
As we have traveled, we’ve met so many amazing people and experienced new cultures that we never would have encountered if we had stayed in one place. Along the way, I started a podcast called The Traveling Therapist and created a Facebook group called The Traveling Therapist, where I share my experiences and inspire others who dream of living a life of freedom and adventure.
Now, as I reflect on our journey, I can say without a doubt that becoming a digital nomad and living in Airbnb’s has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve made lifelong friendships on the road, grown both personally and professionally, and inspired others to take the leap and live their dreams. My Traveling Therapist success story is a testament to the power of following your heart and embracing a life of adventure.
Kym , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi, I’m Kym Tolson, a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist specializing in PTSD and Substance Use Disorders. Along with having a small caseload of clients, I’ve also developed eight income streams that revolve around teaching other therapists how to accept insurance in their private practices and how to travel the world while still seeing clients along the way.
Essentially, I’ve created two brands that help therapists enhance their practices and their lives. The first brand is called Bill Like a Boss, a membership community that offers a comprehensive curriculum of interactive modules, downloadable guides, training webinars, four LIVE biller meetings every month, and my complete signature course DIY Billing For Private Practice. This community provides members with access to all the tools and guidance they need to ensure their insurance-based practice is managed accurately, correctly, and efficiently.
My other brand, The Traveling Therapist, teaches therapists how to see fewer clients, create additional income streams, and live an unconventional life outside of the traditional therapist rule book. This brand allows therapists to work on their terms, travel the world, and experience new cultures while still doing what they love.
By developing these two brands, I’ve been able to help other therapists achieve financial and personal freedom while doing the work they love. I’m proud of the impact I’ve had on the therapy community and look forward to continuing to share my knowledge and expertise with others.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When I started my business, I was determined to handle everything on my own. I felt that I knew my business best and that nobody else could do it as well as I could. I was working long hours, feeling burnt out, and struggling to keep up with the demands of the business.
One day, I had an important project deadline that I knew I couldn’t meet alone. I decided to outsource some of the work to a trusted freelancer, and I was amazed at how much easier my life became. The freelancer did a fantastic job, and the project was completed on time, which gave me more time to focus on other aspects of my business.
I soon realized that outsourcing support was key to scaling up my business. By delegating tasks that were time-consuming and outside of my expertise, I could focus on the areas that I excelled in and grow my business much faster.
From that day on, I made a conscious effort to delegate tasks to others who had the skills and expertise needed to get the job done. My business began to grow more successful, and I was able to take on more clients and increase my revenue.
In the end, learning the lesson of not being able to do everything on my own was a game-changer for my business. It allowed me to focus on what I do best and let others handle the rest. I was able to work smarter, not harder, and achieve more success than I ever thought possible.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
When I first started my business, I knew that building a community of like-minded individuals would be critical to my success. I decided to create two Facebook groups, one centered around Insurance Billing for Telehealth Practitioners and the other focused on becoming a Traveling Therapist, to connect with my audience and provide value.
In these groups, I made sure to offer helpful answers to questions and free content that helped people make progress in their lives. I focused on adding value to the community and building trust with my audience. Over time, the members of the groups began to see me as a reliable source of information and guidance.
As my reputation grew, I began to see the ‘know, like, trust’ factor in action. The members of the groups started to open up to me, asking for my advice and recommendations. They shared their struggles and successes, and I was there to offer support and encouragement.
Eventually, I started to offer my courses and memberships to the members of the groups, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Because they knew me, liked me, and trusted me, they were much more likely to purchase from me. They knew that I had their best interests in mind and that my products and services would be valuable to them.
Building those two Facebook groups was one of the best decisions I made for my business. It allowed me to connect with my audience on a deeper level, build trust and credibility, and ultimately, increase my sales. It showed me the power of community and the importance of giving value before asking for anything in return.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thetravelingtherapist.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetravelingtherapist_kym
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceBillingPrivatePractice
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kym-tolson-lcsw-csac-316aa019/
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@kymtolson
- Other: facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlineandtraveling https://www.facebook.com/groups/TelehealthInsuranceBilling