I need some advice on making the psychological shift from being a business employee to a business owner. I started a couple of businesses five years ago, and I’m surviving as it is, but I’m right on the lower limit. I can feel that it’s my own psychology that is holding me back. I don’t struggle with the practical running of the business, my problem is feeling like an exploitative schmuck because I’m charging people money for stuff. I can push just enough to let myself survive, but after that I freeze. It’s a big block for me, and I just can’t seem to get past it on my own.

I know there are tons of business self-help books out there, but I don’t have the time/money to sift through all of them to find the non-icky diamonds in the rough. And I figure there have to be at least a few people out there who have made this transition and faced the same problems. So:

  • Have you confronted this problem for yourself? How did you approach it?
  • Were there any resources you found helpful to wrap your head around the transition?
  • Do you have any experience with business coaches and/or associations, and were they helpful (ie. worth the money)?
  • Are there any Lemmy/Reddit/Discord/other groups you found supportive/helpful?

Thanks much in advance,

~Archie

  • dumples@midwest.socialEnglish
    4·
    22 days ago

    My wife just started her own LLC as a psychotherapist as well. She gets paid mostly what insurance reimpurses so that part is kind of static. However, she does a few other things that aren’t paid through insurance and has some been working on getting her pricing right. What I would say to you is that you start charging more and set up a sliding scale based on need. Increase your prices but include language about if there is a financial need this can be altered. She has done it for a few group events and had only a few people ask about it. She then alters their cost based on their need and she even let a few people attend for free. It allows you to raise prices for those who can afford it and still increasing access to those who might need it.

    The thing to remember here is that you do your job better when you are less stressed. Overworking and being underpaid means that you are helping fewer people or not as effective helping the people you are seeing. Ethically you need to take care of yourself to help your clients. Its the same logic as self-care. If you aren’t there to support you can’t support.