We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanaz Ikonne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shanaz, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I wish I had embraced my entrepreneurial spirit from the beginning and started my private practice and consulting business sooner. Looking back, I realize that I had gained valuable insights and skills from my previous jobs, which would have accelerated the growth of my business had I started earlier. The pandemic played a pivotal role in reshaping the way therapists serve people, and the shift to virtual platforms allowed me to reach a wider audience, especially in areas lacking representation.

I took the leap to work for myself full time in August 2022, and it has been a transformative journey. Since launching my private practice, I’ve expanded my services to include speaking, consulting and e-commerce. My consulting firm addresses the global mental health crisis by simplifying the process for companies to invest in the well-being of their employees, collaborating with Employee Resource Groups and team members.

Starting my business while raising a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old presented its challenges, but being a mom also played a crucial role in fostering my growth and creativity. It motivated me to establish multiple streams of revenue, allowing me to spend more time with my family while pursuing my passion as a therapist and consultant. Overall, the timing of starting my business has provided me with a unique perspective and a set of skills that have contributed to my success and fulfillment in both professional and personal aspects of life.

Shanaz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Shanaz Ikonne, the proud owner of Shanaz Ikonne, PLLC, a woman-owned, minority, and HUB certified business. My journey into the mental health industry was fueled by a passion for providing trauma-inclusive therapy to adults, specifically focusing on women of color from diverse backgrounds. I believe in creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to navigate challenges related to women’s health issues including self-worth, anxiety, trauma to relationships, parenting, and careers.

In addition to my therapy practice, I wear another hat as a consultant on a mission to tackle the global mental health crisis. My consulting firm is dedicated to making it effortless for companies to invest in the well-being of their employees. I provide practical tools for both employees and managers, addressing a range of mental wellness issues, including grief, anxiety, postpartum challenges, burnout prevention, and navigating menopause and beyond. Whether through virtual support or in-person workshops, I focus on creating a stigma-free environment and emphasize preventative care to foster a thriving workplace culture.

I take pride in helping companies become more profitable by addressing the unmet needs of their employees and bridging gaps in the market. My approach involves working closely with managers, providing trauma-informed support and actionable tips to reduce burnout while managing their mental health. The ultimate goal is to build a company culture that not only prioritizes mental wellness but also creates happier, more fulfilled employees.

I also realized that working parents and caregivers experience challenges with transitioning back to work so I partnered with other professionals to make the process easier for companies that offer parental leave and became a co-founder of an additional business called Parental Wellness Collective, which collaborates with Matrescence Occupational Therapy and Amber Dawn Wellness to offer comprehensive support to new parents in the workplace. Together, we bring a mind, body, and systems approach to wellness, providing parents with the tools, resources, and community they need to navigate the challenges of early parenthood while balancing work responsibilities.

What sets me apart is my commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and a holistic approach to mental wellness. I’m dedicated to creating lasting impacts both on an individual level through therapy and on a broader scale by reshaping corporate cultures to prioritize the well-being of employees. I invite potential clients, followers, and fans to join me in this journey towards a mentally healthy and supportive future.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the damaging belief ingrained in the therapy profession that helping people and making a living wage were mutually exclusive. There was an expectation to embody a martyr mentality, offering services at sliding scales, pro bono, and ensuring sessions weren’t deemed ‘too expensive.’ This mindset hindered my ability to expand my business and embrace what worked best for my life.

While I maintain a private pay model, I’ve incorporated limited sliding scale slots and pro bono community workshops into my services and donate a portion of my revenue back into the community to help girls across the world have access to education, food and resources in addition to help prevent human trafficking. My business ethos centers around ‘People over profit.’ I participated in a 12-week course with the Fearless Fund and emerged as the winner of a pitch competition, securing a grant for my business. If I believed the notion that therapist were unable to do this I would have missed out on an opportunity and experience of a lifetime. These funds are pivotal in expanding my services to a global audience, making inclusive mental health support accessible worldwide.

Shifting away from the limiting mindset has allowed me to expand my consulting services globally, setting fees based on my skills, expertise, and niche. Breaking free from the confines of the old belief has empowered me to take risks, invest in myself, my business, and the community. Had I clung to that harmful lesson, burnout would be inevitable, and I wouldn’t have had the energy or courage to pursue growth or tackle new challenges.

I share my story with the hope of inspiring other therapists and helping professionals. Our limitations often stem from mindset or external influences, not our skill set. Understanding my expertise and operating within my zone of genius has allowed me to serve more people than ever. Since this transformative mind shift, I find myself with more energy and time to dedicate to expanding and growing my business, making me a more effective entrepreneur and clinician and serving minority communities.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In my therapy business, a significant pivot occurred when I transitioned to operating 100% virtual sessions. This decision not only allowed me to expand my reach but serve a more diverse clientele while keeping up with the evolving landscape of mental health services. I also focused on my niche of serving women of color and helping them have more equitable birth outcomes from my own experiences which fueled a commitment to making a positive difference.

More recently, I’ve made a strategic pivot to diversify my business by incorporating more speaking engagements and consulting for businesses and corporations. This shift in focus will be a key aspect of my business in 2024. Additionally, I’m in the process of building out virtual programs, digital downloads, and e-courses to provide accessible mental health resources. In a bid to decrease stigma surrounding mental health, I am also planning to release a line of mental health merchandise, aiming to contribute to the normalization of conversations around mental well-being.

Recognizing the booming nature of the mental health industry and the lack of representation, I am driven to resolve this issue through my initiatives. By adding various sources of revenue, I aim to steer my business in the direction of growth while maintaining creativity in different facets of the industry. This multi-faceted approach not only helps me stay connected with what I love but also acts as a buffer against burnout by keeping my interests diversified.

Excitingly, I am looking forward to collaborations and partnerships that will play a significant role in leveraging the business to new heights. This strategic pivot not only aligns with the dynamic landscape of the mental health field but also positions my business to make a meaningful impact while remaining adaptable to emerging trends, serving BIPOC communities, and opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shanazikonne.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/shanazlpc
• Facebook: facebook.com/shanazlpc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanazikonne/
• Tiktok: @shanazikonne
• Other: https://www.pw-collective.com/