We were lucky to catch up with Holly Ross recently and have shared our conversation below.
Holly, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Now that is a good question. I started my business just about a year and a half into my OT career and at 25 years old. Something that I do not hear many people doing and currently, don’t know anyone who’s taken a similar path so fast like me in my field. I do find it difficult to not know other people like me, it definitely makes it hard to find personal friends that walk a similar professional life. However, back to the question of how I am able to effective and successful even when I’m the only one in the room that looks like me…Well, I do take time to make connections with other business owners and mentors in my life. Although, I don’t have one consistent mentor, I have had a few for sure help me get through major business steps. For example, how to part ways with employment companies; I had a mentor for that. Or how to bill insurance; I had a mentor for that too. They even helped me apply to get my Medicaid application. Another strategy that I use is my natural supports like my personal relationships. Even though they may not have walked the same path as me, they can give me new ideas or directions of where to carve out next. For example, I bounce ideas off of my husband, who also works for me, different business ideas, and he gives his opinions. He always offers a different view than I have originally which is great because it gives me opportunity to really cultivate new ideas before executing them. Lastly, I guess my mental attitude is just that I march to the beat of my own drum and I’m learning that this is okay. I don’t have to have the most followers or have the most friends, I just have to keep doing my thing by helping my patients, my clients, and the community the most I can in my sector of expertise.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
In general my business is outpatient occupational therapy services for people 6mo-26yrs of age. My specialties include aquatic therapy with learning to swim, feeding therapy, and vision therapy. I currently am the only clinician working for my business (for now…) but I do have other team members that help me with deligated tasks. I am currently working on some new parent training classes and certifications which should be coming about mid 2024. We also have two community swim events planned. One May 18th 5:30-7:30pm in Englewood, Co “A private free event for disabled children, teens, adults, and their caregivers/parents” RSVP 1. Family Name and 2. Party Size to events@canoecommunity.org. RSVPs will be accepted until we hit a comfortable capacity. The dates for the second event are still a secret…shhh. We also have a partnership event with the Sensory Club of Denver to host a back to school fair for students with disabilities. That will take place at The Sensory Club in Englewood, Co July 28th 9am-12n. RSVP information will be released at a later date. Follow my socials for that!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I did my Spelbring Lecture at Eastern Michigan University last September I highlighted 4 qualities I think a small business owner needs to have. Those were innovation, adaptability, community partnerships, and collecting resources. I think if I consider 3 qualities that helped me on my personal journey I would choose adaptability, being steadfast, and being resourceful overall. For adaptability, I would tell people that they should always be ready for a curve ball. They should make sure their personal life is feeling full and happy so that they can recharge after their busy days. It’s hard to maintain a constantly adaptive state, so that recharging is very important. Being steadfast happens to just be a quality that I have. I can be stubborn and for the purpose of my business and not letting it fail, I am super stubborn. Having a purpose about being steadfast and wanting to be successful as well as help a community keeps me going. Lastly, being resourceful is huge. I always tell people that over the 4 years of being in business, I have worked really hard to cultivate relationships with other businesses and owners. I’ve also worked on seeping my way into many community programs conversation by conversation. Building long term connections takes time, one must be patient to build steadily.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I currently feel overwhelmed when my to do list climbs above 30 or 40 items at once. Yes it really does get that long. It’s full of both long and short business items that I have to get done with certain deadlines. This could be anything from an equipment letter for insurance for a patient who needs specialized medical equipment to sending an email for marketing. I will say I do have a potentially unhealthy habit of procrastination when becoming overwhelmed. I try to use that in dosages rather than it causing delay in finishing items. For example, I may feel overwhelmed about my to-do list and choose to work on a puzzle that I’m doing for twenty minutes before I do anything. I would call this healthy procrastination. Then when the time is up, I try to take something off the to-do list. Sometimes I pick the easy items first when I feel really overwhelmed. Then as I see some of the checkmarks starting to happen, I get the encouragement to get a big item checked off. It definitely doesn’t happen like that every day but I try my best.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.canoecommunity.org
- Instagram: @canoe.community
- Facebook: Community Aquatics n’ Occupational Engagement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-ross-090b50276?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/vPqiEyentSc?si=1Xyyz-OYZdhHa6Fy
Image Credits
Thank you families, parents, and Holly Ross for picture submissions.
