Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ben Granas, Co-Founder of Olida, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Olida is a network of co-practicing offices for mental health therapists in Southern California. Think of us as like a WeWork for therapy. We make it easy for clinicians to start and scale their own private practices without taking a huge financial risk while being part of a community of 170+ therapists.
Tell us about yourself
My wife is a psychologist and started her private practice in 2019. After failing to find clean, modern office space for her in the area, we decided to build our clinic and create a network of clinicians in private practice that could help each other grow. Our first office opened in Los Angeles in June 2020 (terrible timing due to COVID). We've since expanded to 2 more cities in the area, with three more locations slated for 2023.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Surviving the early months of COVID was a huge challenge for a business that only exists in in-person meetings. We did not receive a dime of PPP money or any rent relief from our landlord and had to hustle just to bring in a small amount of revenue for the first six months. I learned a lot about building new products and services during that time that therapists would pay for even if they didn't need office space.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to wear multiple hats and make tons of decisions every day that might not be within my skill set. On a typical day, I negotiate new lease deals, purchase furniture, run ad campaigns, give tours of the offices, and deal with various regulations. All these things I have more or less taught myself over the past two years make me appreciate larger companies that can silo responsibilities.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I only have one - it's vastly easier to sell a product that your customers NEED versus trying to convince them to buy something they want. For example, every therapist that wants to see a client in person needs office space. So by creating a premium product that is better than anything else on the market, my business sells itself without me having to spend on marketing.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://olida.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlidaTherapySuites/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olidatherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olida-suites/
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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