Small business owners and freelancers can face a range of unique challenges that can affect their mental health, often due to stress and loneliness.

According to a recent research by Aldermore, one in three owners of small and medium-sized companies says that they have had anxiety, depression and other kinds of mental health issues.

So, today, following last week’s interview with Sobitha Ravichandran of Parenthood.Guide, we’re publishing another small business interview.  Today I’m having a chat with a Hypnotherapist, Regina Brancato-Dunderdale, who helps women find strategies to control their negative emotions, phobias and stress-related issues to achieve their goals fully.

How would you explain your business to someone who has no knowledge of it?

I help women between the ages of 35 and 55 to control their anxiety, panic attacks, lack of confidence, fears so they can consistently achieve whatever they want to achieve. I give them tools that are powerful and yet simple so they can use whenever they need them.

How long have you been in this business? And in other businesses?

I’ve been doing hypnotherapy for three years. In my previous life, I was a teacher specialised in adult education i.e. changing the way they think so their thoughts supported them to learn.

Why did you choose it?Interview Regina Brancato Dunderdale

Because I know through experience that we control our thoughts and what we think about ourselves can support us or sabotage us, and with help, we can change the way we think so our thoughts consistently support us to achieve our goals.

How did you get started?

3 year ago as a hypnotherapist.

How do you attract your clients?

Through social media, webinars, workshops, networking.

Can you describe your customers?

  • Women between 35-55 who are going back to work after a sabbatical,
  • Women who are going up the corporate ladder
  • And women who are going through menopause or a considerable career change.

They all have anxiety, fears, panic attacks, insecurities, etc.

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years?

Next year growing, in 5 years still growing and expanding to public speaking.

Which things make you happy as a small business owner?

The challenge of experimenting new things and learning from the mistakes; the satisfaction of helping people; the motivation to learn and improve; to meet other small business owner and the flexibility of the way I work.

Which is your best-selling product or service and why do you think your clients love it so much?

Havening for phobias because they know that’s gone in one 2 hour session.

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?

My answer is from what my customers tell me: I am direct, i.e a no-nonsense kind of person. I’m there to solve the problem, not to talk about the problem.

Customer Retention: how do you keep your customers happy?

I give them what they need, i.e. the control over their negative emotions. I also send them videos and in the future free webinars to refresh the tools I had given them.

Which challenges did and do you face, running your business?

With my previous business, that I’m leaving, the issue was marketing, poor quality leads, not being able to get through to clients, website too generic.

Is there any business lesson you learnt through experience that you wish you knew about earlier in life?

Absolutely.

First you niche, then you expand.

You cannot be a specialist in everything because you then lose authority.

Be direct, firm and at the same time kind and understanding.

Be brave.

How do you maintain a good work-life balance?

I love what I do so work is not a burden. Helping and talking to people gives me satisfaction. But I also make time to relax, go to the gym, go to art galleries, next year go to Venice for the Biennale.

Which is your best strategy for time management?

This is where I struggle as I don’t have many clients yet I need a strategy to record videos, write content and see clients.

Contact Regina by phone at 07796067245 to book a session with her.

Thank you so much,  Regina, and see you all next Thursday for another Small Business Interview!

Summary