Starting From Scratch: What Would We Do Differently?

If you could start your therapy business all over again, what would you do differently?

There are more ways than ever to build a business, but there's also more noise, comparison and advice to navigate.

So, rather than adding to it, we decided to ask the people who have actually done it.

We're asking our experienced tutors what they would do if they were starting from scratch today; mining the lessons they've learned along the way and sharing the gems that could save someone else time, money and a few headaches.

First up is Yvonne, one of our tutors here at the Academy. Alongside teaching, Yvonne runs a thriving clinic and is the founder of Essence Systemology, creating the most beautiful bespoke blends, notably her exquisite reflexology balms and generally making magic!

Get the foundations right from day one

If Yvonne could change one thing, she'd have started by investing more time in learning and understanding the financial aspect of running a business before being in the midst.

Her advice? Spend time with a tax advisor and learn the ropes of bookkeeping early.

Learning as you go is possible, but understanding your finances from day one makes everything simpler.

She'd also advise opening a separate business account immediately, rather than waiting until the business felt "successful enough".

A good reminder that you don't have to wait until you feel like a business owner to start building like one.

Go hyperlocal

When it comes to finding clients, Yvonne wouldn't change her approach at all.

She'd start close to home.

Tell friends and family what you're doing. Introduce yourself to people in your community. Talk about what you love. And don't underestimate the power of simply being known.

One of Yvonne's most valuable marketing tools has always been word of mouth, as simple as introducing herself in her local village shop and sharing her love for what she does. You sparkle in person, so use that.

You don't have to become an influencer talking to a vast audience to build a thriving therapy business in your town. You need a hyperlocal focus to attract people on your doorstep. You can build it through warmth, genuine conversations and becoming known by the people around you.

Your local community is full of potential connections.

Create a space people want to return to

Perhaps the most important lesson Yvonne shared was about presence.

Smile. Welcome your client warmly. Be interested in them. And when they are with you, let them feel that there is space for them.

Imagine arriving late to an appointment, already flustered and apologetic.

Do you really want to be greeted with a telling-off and a reminder that your treatment time is now shorter?

Probably not.

You want someone who can meet you where you are, welcome you in and help you breathe.

Of course, your boundaries and your time matter. But your client doesn't need to carry whatever is happening in your day.

They need to know there is a space that can hold them.

And that experience; the warmth, the listening, the quality, the quietly tailored treatment is the biggest part of what makes people come back.

What would you do?

Yvonne's answers aren't about chasing the latest marketing trends or competing with other therapists for space.

They're about getting your foundations right, being visible in your community, playing to your strengths and creating an experience people remember.

And perhaps that's the biggest lesson of all.

You don't have to build your business like everyone else.

Start with what you're good at. Get to know your community. Build genuine connections. Put the right foundations underneath you.

Then keep going.

We believe that sometimes the best business advice comes from simply asking someone who's already walked the road:

"If you could start again, what would you do?"

And that's exactly what we do in our Grow Your Business workshop. We workshop with you, sharing all the experience, tips and techniques gleaned from years in the industry.

Join us to take a peek behind the curtain of how others are building their businesses and craft a tailored action plan that feels right for you.