Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel McQueen, Co-Founder of Center for Medicinal Mindfulness, located in Boulder, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Center for Medicinal Mindfulness - a psychedelic therapy clinic based in Boulder, CO, and Psychedelic Sitters School - a psychedelic training program. We have clients and students from all around the country and the world.
Tell us about yourself
As a psychedelic guide, I became interested in working with psychedelics for personal growth, spiritual exploration, and healing. I started this business because I love being part of a community, and there weren't any communities that supported this sort of work.
I also wanted to help other psychedelic guides be able to provide their services to others, and I believed collectively, we could help more people than if we tried to work alone. I'm regularly motivated by the deep healing and life transformation that I witness on a regular basis and the stories that I hear from our other guides.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is that I've been able to do this work for over 10 years in a very dynamic and sometimes difficult societal context. We've helped a lot of people during this time, and I would say that is my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Some of the hardest things that come with business ownership are the ongoing energy required to keep the lights on, so to speak, to ensure that we are providing the highest level of care we can while simultaneously ensuring the ongoing financial stability of the program. Because our healing protocols aren't covered by insurance, our clients pay out of pocket, so it isn't as affordable as we'd like it to be.
On the other end of the equation, there are real costs involved, which is why we charge what we charge for our work. Thankfully, we are stepping more into group work so our services can remain the highest quality of care while providing it at a reduced cost. Healing happens in the community.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
To run a psychedelic therapy center, you really have to want to do it and be ready to navigate big waves of transformation. Our program continues to grow and unfold in unexpected ways, so flexibility and tenacity are both required.
I'd recommend being realistic about the costs involved and being ready to work for at least a few years before any sort of return on the investment. It will be important to have a stable source of income during this initial period. Yes, it is possible, but it always takes longer than you think it should.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://medicinalmindfulness.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MedicinalMindfulness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicinalmindfulness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/centerformm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-medicinal-mindfulness/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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