Samantha, is a registered practising psychotherapist, accredited with UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association) with a passion for working with youth and offers both short and long-term therapy to clients, drawing on several different theoretical approaches to suit her clients’ needs.
While having relevant qualifications, skills and experience to offer her counselling services, Samantha joined the Inspiring Enterprise programme to increase her knowledge on the commercial and business aspects of starting and running a sustainable business venture.
When Samantha first met up with Inspiring Enterprise Mentor Richard Ryan she was not in any form of paid work and looking for direction and guidance on how to start up a business that could meet her financial and personal circumstances and wanting to learn more about business planning, marketing as well as the financial aspects of running a sustainable business.
Samantha herself has had to deal with personal challenges. Despite being severely dyslexic, struggling with numbers, a wife to a husband with health challenges and mum to 2 children, one a teenager with autism, Samantha applied herself and availed herself of the one to one support available, taking on board the knowledge learned on the programme.
She has gone on to monetise her skills and secure a reliable stable income from her services for herself and her family and developed a business which is now at a stage that she receives regular enquiries and referrals for her services.
Inspiring Enterprise mentor Richard Ryan comments that at the most recent meeting he was told of a nice “problem”. Samantha’s work diary is at full capacity, and she was having to decline immediately taking on more clients. A lovely position to be in for a start up business. He adds that it is both gratifying and inspiring to see her reap the benefits of her personal determination, implementing her plan and following through on actions.
When asked to share her thoughts on the Inspiring Enterprise programme, Samantha comments: “Inspiring Enterprise has been an enormous help. Although I had already completed years of studies and voluntary work it’s still very difficult to set up as a practitioner on your own. Inspiring Enterprise did not only hold my hand through the whole process, they also taught me that going into business does not have to be painfully difficult. My dyslexia hasn’t held me back and I am now in a position where I have a substantial waiting list. I feel very blessed to have had such an amazing mentor and I will always be grateful for all the support I have received.”