Practising what she preaches helped 31-year-old Lisa Proudfoot, from East Wemyss, set up Levenmouth Counselling Service and Lisa’s Holistic Therapies while still working for NHS Fife.
She tells The Courier the story behind her business, which was launched in May and is based in Buckhaven.
Q How and why did you start in business?
A I have studied and worked in the social and health care setting for 13 years and, as well as running my own business I still work for NHS Fife as a rehabilitation assistant.
Over the last four years I have trained as a counsellor and qualified in reiki and Indian head massage.
Learning more about what makes people tick gave me the ambition to set up my own business offering counselling and holistic therapies as I feel there is a great need for individuals to look after their mental and spiritual health within our culture.
Q Who has helped?
A Most recently Business Gateway Fife helped me secure a grant from Fife Council’s Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) initiative, which assists entrepreneurs in regeneration areas of Fife.
I was awarded £500 and used the money to buy essentials to set up my own therapy room such as a massage bed, massage stool, towels and aromatherapy oils which I otherwise would not have been able to buy so quickly.
Q What was your biggest mistake?
A Not spending enough time on myself. I could have struck a better work/life balance while setting up the business.
Q What is your greatest achievement?
A Setting up my own business and gaining my qualifications. Both took a lot of hard work and dedication as I was, and am, still working for the NHS.
While setting up the business I was able to put into practice a lot of the techniques and philosophy of my qualification, which helped me deal with any hurdles that came up or related stress.
Q What do you hope to achieve?
A I hope to eventually expand, perhaps consider working in Edinburgh. In the immediate future I want to qualify in colour therapy.
Being able to offer customers a wide range of therapies that are complementary to counselling, I truly believe, will increase their self-awareness and self-esteem.
Q Do you want to recruit in the future?
A Depending on how the business grows, I may take on staff in the future.
Q What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
A Working at a loss until you get established, and putting a lot of time and effort into spreading the word about what I offer.
Q Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?
A Don’t get disheartened by how hard it is initially to get your business off the ground as, hopefully, all your time and effort will pay off in the end.