Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brandan Vazquez, Founder, and CEO of WeUp Counseling & Consulting, located in Houston, TX, USA.

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

WeUp Counseling & Consulting is an online mental health practice for Men, The Culture, and the People who love them. They are looking for a safe place where they can be assured they will not be judged and can understand the specific challenges they experience as a member of an often under-represented population. A place of safety where they can feel comfortable pursuing their wellness journey.

Tell us about yourself

Before opening up a solo practice, I worked in community mental health in Washington, DC, working with unhoused, crisis, and special needs populations. Additionally, I worked in a large online group practice. WeUp Counseling & Consulting came about after realizing that most of my days were taken up with working with a large caseload of clients and having difficulty living a life outside of it. I wanted a business that would allow for freedom and flexibility of schedule while also specializing in working with the ideal clients. The fact that I now have been working in a business that I created to work with and support the clients I choose during the times I choose motivates me to continue doing what I'm doing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been to create a safe space for black men to seek support. There are not many men in the mental health field, Black Men even less. I'm proud that I can leverage my skills and experiences to support a population that is oftentimes overlooked and under-supported.

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

One of the hardest things is actually being a business owner. You are responsible for everything, managing your income, expenses, and taxes. You are every department of a business in one. You are HR; you are the benefits specialist; you are the CFO, CEO, COO, Head of Marketing, Web Designer, and Social Media Manager all in one.

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

  1. You must be very intentional that you do not deprioritize self-care and maintain healthy boundaries. Make sure you are prioritizing work that adds the most value to your business goals, then do everything else. That being said, It's extremely easy to get overwhelmed with responsibilities and forget to live your life.
  2. Networking is your friend. Whatever field you start your business in, it's a good idea to reach out and network with other people within the field. As a therapist, we refer out clients that may not be a good fit for us, whether that be client needs are not aligned with the clinician niche, scheduling conflicts, etc. It's always good to be a part of a network for times like that. You will be surprised how much your business can be supported by others within your chosen field.
  3. You have to be ready to learn from failure and be flexible to make adjustments as needed. No plan survives contact, and you have to be ready to recognize when something just isn't working. We all have ideas of how we want the business to go, but sometimes what we plan is not what happens. Be ready, and be flexible.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.weupcounseling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weupcounseling/

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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