For this week's Our 1871, we chat with 1871 mentor Monica Kathuria, Owner of Encircle Psychological Services. Encircle works with individuals who are navigating transitions in their lives in order to help them resolve negative feelings, communicate effectively, and push forward into their next wave of social and economic success.
What did you have to learn the hard way in your professional life?
Running a profitable business and being a therapist require different skill sets, and learning to be comfortable doing something unfamiliar requires pushing through until it becomes comfortable.
What do you know today that you wish you had known when you first started in business?
How to run a business! You mean I can't just hang my name on a door and people will come knocking? Professional education taught me about being a therapist, but I had no experience with marketing, networking, administrative duties, etc. I had to teach myself this, but it all came together when I asked for help.
What skills are the most important for an entrepreneur to have?
Being an entrepreneur, the passion and drive is already there, but it is important to have good communication and leadership skills to build a cohesive and productive team.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a rising entrepreneur?
Don't lose sight of your vision, and make sure you are doing what you love because you are going to being doing, and thinking about this everyday. Have you and your team answer these 4 questions before assigning roles to make sure it's a good fit:
1. What do I love to do?
2. What do I hate to do?
3. What do I hate doing, but am good at?
4. What do I lave doing, but am not good at?
What do you consider your greatest success?
Raising a happy, strong, sweet, curious girl.
Fun Stuff
Where is your favorite spot in Chicago? Riverwalk
What book would you recommend every entrepreneur read? The Glass Castle -- even when life is at its worst, your perception of the situation can lead you to a better place.
What hashtag best describes you? #clarity
What is your daily ritual? 15 minutes of downtime.
What is your personal mantra? Change requires sitting with what's uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable.
1871 is where Chicago's entrepreneurs come to build a great business, providing education, inspiration, workspace, and unparalleled startup resources.