LaMora Pace on Her Mental Health and Relationship Counseling Business

Hi, LaMora! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I'm LaMora D. Pace, a licensed clinical social worker and the heart behind The Healing Crest® Counseling Services in Hollywood, Florida. My focus lies in providing mental health and relationship counseling, specializing in areas such as childhood and relationship trauma, anxiety, depression, and infidelity. In addition to my counseling practice, I founded Simply Lovable®, a brand committed to empowering women to make self-care a non-negotiable part of their lives. Through Simply Lovable®, we offer a range of products including a premium-quality card deck, a companion workbook, and a notebook collection designed to support women in their journey towards self-love and healing.

That's incredible, LaMora! Who are your customers?

At The Healing Crest® Counseling Services, I work with individuals and couples navigating various mental health issues and relationship challenges, including childhood and relationship trauma, anxiety, depression, and infidelity. Concurrently, my Simply Lovable® brand caters to a broad spectrum of women, particularly high achievers, who face significant societal and family pressures. These women benefit from tools and resources that help manage stress, set boundaries, heal from past traumas, and prioritize SELF as a non-negotiable part of their lives.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before founding The Healing Crest® Counseling Services and Simply Lovable®, I held an executive leadership role in mental health and child welfare. My responsibilities included overseeing Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse services for both children and adults, as well as Targeted Case Management. I ensured contract compliance and provided effective clinical supervision for client service delivery. Additionally, I developed and implemented operational policies, standards, and procedures to meet compliance and quality standards. I managed clinical services in a residential program for adolescent males and females, conducted comprehensive clinical assessments, and facilitated Anger Management and Domestic Violence groups for adults. I also oversaw all phases of operations for the Foster Care and Adoption programs. This extensive background equipped me with a deep understanding and experience that I've brought into my own businesses, focusing on healing and empowerment.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

My decision to start my own business was driven by a desire to have a more direct and personal impact on people’s lives. After years in executive leadership in mental health and child welfare, I saw firsthand the gaps in services and the unique needs that often went unaddressed in larger organizational settings. I felt a strong calling to create spaces where individuals could feel truly heard and supported in their healing journeys. With The Healing Crest® Counseling Services, I envisioned a practice that not only addresses traditional mental health issues but also provides a holistic approach to healing relationship traumas, anxiety, depression, and more. Similarly, Simply Lovable® emerged from recognizing the need for women, especially those juggling multiple roles under significant societal pressures, to prioritize themselves. The brand offers tools that empower women to take ownership of their healing and self-care. Starting my own businesses allowed me an opportunity to implement innovative approaches tailored to the specific needs of my clients, focusing on empowerment, resilience, and personal growth. It was a leap driven by passion, a vision for better care, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Growing up with my father as an entrepreneur and watching my brother start his own businesses certainly planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in me. However, it wasn’t always clear that I would follow this path. For years, my career was deeply rooted in mental health and child welfare, where I held leadership roles within a community-based care organization. The combination of experience and insights I gained from these roles, the entrepreneurial spirit I observed in my family, and a spiritual calling, all eventually inspired me to step out on my own.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched The Healing Crest® Counseling Services, the marketing approach was relatively straightforward. By listing on mental health directories and leveraging word-of-mouth referrals from existing and former clients, the private therapy practice quickly gained traction. This organic growth meant that extensive marketing wasn't necessary for The Healing Crest® to flourish. However, the journey with Simply Lovable® has presented different challenges. As a brand aimed at empowering women through self-care and self-love, establishing visibility has been more complex, especially given my struggles with social media engagement. Unlike The Healing Crest®, which grew through professional networks and client referrals, Simply Lovable® requires a more proactive marketing strategy to reach a broader audience.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

The biggest challenge I've encountered in my entrepreneurial journey has been mastering the complexities of marketing for Simply Lovable®. Initially, my struggle with social media significantly hindered the brand's visibility and growth, presenting a substantial challenge. From this, I learned the critical importance of adapting and embracing new marketing strategies. I have actively enhanced my social media skills and deepened my understanding of digital marketing to better connect with and expand my audience. This experience has not only reaffirmed my resilience but also highlighted the value of stepping outside my comfort zone to adopt new approaches that meet the evolving needs of my business. It has been a continuous journey of growth, both for the brand and personally.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

The accomplishment I’m most proud of to date is the creation of Simply Lovable®. Starting a product-based brand from scratch and navigating the challenges of digital marketing has not been easy, especially given my struggles with social media. Despite these hurdles, Simply Lovable® is gradually building a community that empowers women to prioritize self-care and personal growth. Simply Lovable® offers more than just products like a premium card deck, companion workbook, and a notebook collection; it also fosters a supportive environment where women can learn, share, and grow together. Seeing the positive changes in the lives of these women, and knowing that Simply Lovable® plays a crucial role in their journey towards self-love and empowerment, is incredibly fulfilling. This impact goes beyond mere business success — it’s about making a real difference, which is exactly what I aimed to achieve when I started this venture.

An amazing mission and you're making such a difference! What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Looking ahead, there's plenty to be excited about for both The Healing Crest® Counseling Services and Simply Lovable®. You can expect an expanded range of workshops focused on healing, self-discovery, and personal growth, alongside community events dedicated to self-care. These initiatives are designed to deepen connections, enhance well-being, and empower individuals and couples on their journey towards personal growth and healing. A key upcoming event is our first couples retreat, the Expedition of Love, scheduled for September 2024 in Cartagena, Colombia. This retreat will provide couples a unique opportunity to explore and strengthen their relationships in a supportive and beautiful setting. Designed to facilitate meaningful interactions, it will offer tools and experiences that foster love, understanding, and connection. Overall, the coming years will be filled with more opportunities for learning, healing, and growing together, as we continue to build and strengthen our community.

What is your top productivity tip? 

My top productivity tip is to use time blocking. This technique involves dedicating specific blocks of time to different tasks throughout the day. Think of it as setting appointments with yourself to handle everything from creative work and meetings to responding to emails. Time blocking is particularly effective because it minimizes distractions and maximizes focus by clearly defining what you should be working on and when. This method allows you to allocate your most productive hours to the most critical tasks, ensuring that you’re making the best use of your time each day.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

On the flip side, avoiding burnout is crucial, and I do this by prioritizing self-care and setting firm boundaries between work and personal time. Here are a few strategies that help: 1. Clear Boundaries: I set clear boundaries between work and personal life. This includes defining specific work hours devoted to client sessions and ensuring that I disconnect from client-related work outside those hours. 2. Engaging in Pleasurable Activities: I dedicate time to activities I enjoy, such as traveling and spa visits. These hobbies provide a mental escape from work stress and contribute to my overall well-being. 3. Delegation: Leveraging the support of my project manager and virtual assistant, I am learning to delegate tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed. This not only helps in managing the workload but also ensures that I can focus on high-priority activities without spreading myself too thin. 4. Regular Self-Care Practices: Incorporating regular self-care routines, like stretching, massages, and mindfulness exercises, helps keep my mind and body in balance. By integrating these practices into my daily routine, I can maintain a healthy work-life balance, stay productive, and avoid the pitfalls of burnout.

All such helpful tips! What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is the immense value of building a strong support network. While passion and dedication are critical, having a network of peers and supportive individuals can provide invaluable guidance, encouragement, and resources. When I first started, I focused heavily on developing my businesses and honing my skills, often overlooking the benefits of connecting with others who have walked a similar path. Over time, I realized that networking with other entrepreneurs and joining professional groups can accelerate growth, provide new perspectives, and offer support during challenging times. Building a support network not only helps navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship but also fosters collaboration and innovation, which are essential for long-term success. If I had known this earlier, I might have leveraged these connections sooner to enhance my journey and overcome obstacles more efficiently.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

I have personally found Asana to be an invaluable business tool that, along with the support of my dedicated project manager and virtual assistant, helps keep our projects and team collaborations streamlined and efficient. As a comprehensive task and project management tool, Asana enables us to organize everything from daily tasks to major projects in one accessible place. This level of organization is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring that nothing gets overlooked. Our project manager and virtual assistant actively use Asana to plan and track all aspects of our operations, from project development and marketing campaigns to organizing workshops, and community events. This system allows our entire team to stay aligned on deadlines, responsibilities, and goals, significantly enhancing our productivity and ability to execute projects effectively.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas is to embrace the journey with resilience and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Entrepreneurship is a path filled with both challenges and triumphs, and your ability to adapt and learn from each experience will be key to your success. Firstly, prioritize building a strong support network. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and like-minded individuals who can offer guidance, share their experiences, and provide encouragement during tough times. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and resources that you might not have discovered on your own. Secondly, invest in continuous learning and personal growth. Whether it’s through formal education, workshops, coaching, or consulting, it's crucial to invest in your business development. While free resources can get you started, they often fall short when it comes to building and scaling a successful brand. Understanding the distinction between owning a business and building a brand is essential, and investing in expert advice and advanced learning will equip you with the skills and insights needed for long-term success. Additionally, don’t underestimate the importance of self-care and maintaining a work-life balance. Entrepreneurship can be demanding, but ensuring you have time to recharge and engage in activities you love will sustain your energy and passion. By building a solid support network, committing to lifelong learning, maintaining self-care, and staying mission-driven, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the path of an Entreprenista and achieve your goals.

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