Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alex de Leon, Owner of Relevé Counseling, located in Rockford, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Relevé Counseling is comprised of a team of compassionate mental healthcare professionals with over 30 years of collective experience serving the Greater Rockford community. Our dedicated therapists believe in a person-centered approach and will help you create and work toward your own unique goals. Our diverse team utilizes strength-based, trauma-focused, and culturally sensitive therapeutic techniques to help each individual rise above their personal challenges. It is a mental health practice. We see clients of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender.

Tell us about yourself

My wife and I launched Relevé Counseling together. She's the driving force for our organization. I actually worked in local television news for 15 years, but it was time for a change. It coincided with Joanna de Leon's desire to venture out and open her own clinic. A few short months later, Relevé Counseling was born. I handle some of the logistics of the business, as well as provide original graphics and video stories for our website and social media. Joanna's goal is to provide counseling services for as many people as possible, particularly those with state insurance. Many of our clients with state insurance let us know they're happy we exist because many therapists in our area choose not to see anyone with their insurance.

Personally, I'm motivated by raising awareness on the important issue of mental health. During my time in journalism, I covered so many stories of lives destroyed because of a lack of mental health services. There's also the stigma of receiving treatment for mental health. There's a generalization that if you do seek treatment, you must be "crazy." My videos aim to shatter that stigma, as well as be informative. My hope is that someone sees the videos and feels motivated to get the treatment they may need. It doesn't matter if it's with my practice as long as they address whatever concerns they have.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I measure my biggest accomplishment as a business owner in the happiness of my therapists. My wife and I have three therapists on staff and have plans to grow the practice further. Our main goal is to provide an environment that allows them to grow professionally and still maintain a work/life balance.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is setting my own boundaries. Oftentimes, I find myself checking spreadsheets randomly at 11 pm or thinking about unfinished tasks outside of work hours. It's a work in progress. I also take any setbacks from a therapist personally. For example, if a therapist has several cancelations in a day, I feel a need to work that much harder to ensure they get clients that could be more consistent. However, it's impossible to know that ahead of time, and it's nobody's fault. Still, I always feel like I can be doing more, even though my current efforts are adequate. I have to constantly remind myself of that fact.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

One tip is to be adaptable! It's good to have a plan, but circumstances don't always allow you to stay on the plan. Having a goal is important. However, even if things change, keep sight of that goal and do what's necessary to navigate pitfalls or opportunities so you can reach it.

A second tip is patience! Nothing happens overnight. Every business has a lull. It doesn't mean you're failing. Hopefully, when you have boomed, it helps make up for those low moments.

A third tip is to focus on your accomplishments! As a business owner, it's easy to remember all the negative things that happen. Write down your accomplishments every month if you need to, just to remind yourself of what you've done so far.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.relevecounseling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReleveRKFD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/releverkfd/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ReleveRKFD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/relevé-counseling/

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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