By Joy Ewing, LMFT, CEO and Clinical Director of Joy Life Counseling
When I launched Joy Life Counseling, I was operating with equal parts faith and grit. I didn’t have investors or a big safety net. I had a vision, a deep sense of calling and the funds from selling my late father’s home. That was the only capital I had to start building what is now a thriving group practice.
Today, Joy Life Counseling is home to four incredible therapists. But it didn’t start here. I began alone, fresh out of graduate school, without many examples of people who looked like me opening private practices—especially straight out of school. What I did have were memories of watching my grandmother run her beauty salon. My grandmother, Ann, led with strength, compassion and purpose in everything she did. I have also witnessed my aunt, Lishall, run a successful beauty salon. I’ve learned from her what it means to fully own and operate a successful business. These were my blueprints. Their examples taught me that Black women have always made a way, even when resources were scarce.
The Mental Load of Leadership
Entrepreneurship often looks glamorous on the outside. We scroll through highlight reels on social media filled with business milestones, perfectly curated brands, and images of success. But behind the scenes – it’s a heavy lift. Running a business comes with its own unique stressors, which include late nights, financial uncertainty, decision fatigue and the emotional labor of being “on” all the time. Add to that the responsibility of holding space for others as a therapist and leader, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the work.
