From Us to You: Lessons Learned from New Private Practice Owners

We can’t believe it's been over a year since we opened our virtual doors. In reflecting on our year, it's been an incredible experience to meet and connect with such inspiring folks with who we have been lucky enough to support, coach, and collaborate. We are so grateful for everyone who has played a role in helping turn our vision of Live LYTE into reality. Throughout this journey, we have learned some valuable lessons that we wanted to share.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Prior to our launch, our perfectionistic tendencies were definitely driving the bus. The fear of failing or making a mistake created monsters in our minds over every detail. (Did you know that you can spend over 40 hours picking colors?) And if we learned anything from this experience, it's that those things don’t matter as much in the long run. What matters more is making a decision that we feel good about, even if we change our minds later.

Always make time for each other. It can’t be ALL about business. This year came with many personal challenges and stressors. No matter what was on the agenda to take care of, we prioritized taking care of ourselves and each other. We spent time talking about our worries and finding ways to support one another. This made all the difference.

Practice what we preach. Spoiler Alert! The content we put out isn’t just for you. It's for us too. It's a reflection of how we are navigating the world as two female entrepreneurs. There is a reason we talked about selfcare, self-worth, imposter syndrome, and values this year. That's because we, along with most of the world, were going through it.

Every relationship needs good communication. Starting a business with your friend can sound really exciting, and it was! But it also meant we had to be ready to have honest and sometimes tough conversations. We practiced setting our own boundaries and learning how to compromise with each other in a way that we both felt heard and understood. For us, living life on our own terms has been exciting, challenging, and rewarding. We are looking forward to our second year together and continuing to empower others to do the same. That is what we came together to do. If you are looking to turn your vision into reality, we are here to help. Live LYTE offers virtual solutions that include individual therapy, clinical supervision, and professional development. All of these services are virtual, making it convenient and personalized.

Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible. - Proverb

Written By: Marissa Friedman, MA, LMHC, LPC, NCC

Marissa is born and raised in Florida and has dedicated her career to empowering others to achieve their goals in reaching their full potential. Marissa received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida. She has been a licensed LMHC since 2013. For the past 8 years, she has worked with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, addiction, eating disorders, trauma, selfesteem issues & life changes. In early 2020, she founded Live LYTE Counseling and Services to help professionals bridge the gap between mental wellness and professional fulfillment.