​This month's Small Business Spotlight highlights Carol Parker Stein.  Carol is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and Crystal Therapist. Her interest in helping others to heal from life's trauma led to her study and training in many modalities in order to be able to support those in need of reclaiming the peace and health of their bodies, minds and spirits. 

​How long have you been in business?
SInce 1991
 
Tell us your favorite thing about running a business? 
I enjoy being my own boss, making my own schedule, and being of service to many in need.
 
Biggest challenge for your business.
Continued marketing for new clients is ongoing and paperwork.
 
What is the one piece of advice that you want to share owners of other small businesses?
Networking is very important, carry your cards at all times and offer free services to people who either can't afford you or can help you promote your business.
 
How do you keep your customers coming back?
I listen to what my clients need on any given day, and offer an open heart.
 
Your business is different from others because? 
I am not a spa, I offer a cosy, beautiful environment and that feels healing when you walk in. I offer a sliding scale payment. I offer services no one else does - 5 Element Crystal Healing.
 
What's going to change at your company in the next 5 years? 
My location will change a bit, and I will emphasize my crystal healing work more.
 
Who is your ideal customer?
Someone who is looking for more peace, relaxation, pain relief and help in moving through blockages in their bodies and life. 

Little-known fact about you? 
Gardening soothes my soul.

Favorite way you spend your free time?
Growing food, herbs and flowers, hiking in the mountains.
 
Share with us your favorite quote.
Free your Mind, the rest will follow.

For more information about 5 Elements Healing Touch and the services provided, please visit the website.

This month's Small Business Spotlight highlights Julie Isaacson, Transitional Coach. Julie is a resident of Lower Merion who is a trained career coach. I talked to Julie about her smaIl business and how her coaching practice helps guide others through transitional periods in life.

Why did you start your business?
My coach practice focuses primarily on women who are considering a return to work following a career break and college students as they begin the job search process. The reason I chose the first is because I believe there are many very talented women (and even men), who for a variety of reasons have left the workplace and are fearful about how to re-enter. I also work with college and post college age “emerging  adults" because I enjoy working with that age group and believe the colleges and universities aren’t doing an adequate job of preparing their students to properly engage in the process of looking for work. AND by hiring a coach the relationship between parent and child can be preserved, no nagging by the parent and no eye rolling by the child. The commonality of these two groups is they both are adjusting to a transition that can be smoother with the help of an objective, supportive and non judgmental coach. Finally, I have experienced the re-entry process my self so while that experience informs my coaching I recognize that we are all different with unique challenges and victories.

How long have you been in business?
I have been in business about 2 years. 

Tell us your favorite thing about running a business? 
My favorite thing about running my business is I get to personally engage with my “clients” and I have flexibility in balancing my professional and personal life. 

Biggest challenge for your business.
The biggest challenge I have is marketing myself. I have always been in a helping profession, initially as a social worker, so self promotion isn’t a congruent characteristic for me.

How do you keep your customers coming back?
I hope my clients continue to return because they have experienced the value of coaching. Coaching is goal oriented therefore once goals are reached the engagement can end, of course until another issue arises. Coaching has a beginning, middle, and an end. 

Your business is different from others because? 
My practice is different because of the niches I focus on and because of my philosophy. I tend to be practical while partnering with my clients to help them to recognize and understand their barriers and define ways that are most effective to deal with these obstacles. 

Who is your ideal client?
My ideal clients are people who are struggling with the return to work process and emerging adults who are embarking on the job search process.

What's going to change at your company in the next 5 years? 
I hope in the next 5 years my practice will grow so that I am the go to person for these issues. 

Favorite way you spend your free time?
I enjoy hanging out with my family, biking, hiking, skiing and reading.

Share with us your favorite quote.
Favorite quote “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” 

For more information on the services Julie provides please visite her website.

This month's Small Business Spotlight highlights Terrence Townsend the owner of Dynamic Cleaning Services, which provides full-service cleaning to business and residential clients in the Lower Merion/Narberth area.We talked to Terrence about the cleaning industry and the history of Dynamic Cleaning Services.

Why did you start your business?
Ever since 7th grade I envisioned myself owning some sort of business and working for myself. I started a business so that I could live that vision and also build a legacy for my family.
 
Tell us your favorite thing about running a business?
I love meeting people. Running a business gives me the unique opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.
 
Biggest challenge for your business.
The ongoing challenge of striving to be PERFECT and having to realize and accept that sometimes we will have less than perfect days.
 
What is the one piece of advice that you want to share owners of other small businesses?
Stay true to your core values and always build a high level of trust with your customers. Once you have a customer's trust, you will have their business for life.
 
How do you keep your customers coming back?
By offering a superior level of service, that consists of keen attention to detail, strong integrity, open communication and honesty.
 
Your business is different from others because?
We can design a program that will work within any customer budget for all cleaning programs we offer, no matter whether it's for your home or office. We are a one stop shop that can also handle carpet and floor cleaning, power washing and window cleaning. A portion of our proceeds go to the various charities and Boy/Girls Club we sponsor.
 
What's going to change at your company in the next 5 years?
Hopefully...Growth of our residential operation to expand to the Jersey and Delaware beaches for seasonal cleaning services.
 
Who is your ideal customer?
A customer who takes pride in their home or office and wants a cleaning company that will take care of their space like it's their own.
 
Tell us something interesting or surprising that most people do not know about you.
I have a really bad fear of heights. I also have a secret love for chick flicks like "You've Got Mail" and "The Notebook".  
 
Favorite way you spend your free time?
Spending time with my family, also golfing.

#BeSocial! Make sure to LIKE + FOLLOW + CONNECT with Dynamic Cleaning Services on Facebook, Twitter, GOOGLE Plus and LinkedIn!
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Why did you start your business?
I saw a need for people to have someone they trust available if they had computer questions and problems. I also liked the ability to make my own hours initially. When I started, most people had one computer in their home shared by all household members. Now, there are multiple computers per household member!

What is your favorite thing about running a business? 
Helping people with problems, being my own boss.

What one thing keeps your customers coming back?
I treat your computer like it was my own and trust.

Your business is different from others because? 
Personalized service tailored to your needs.  You cannot get that type of service at a big box store.

What's going to change at your company in the next 5 years? 
Hire additional help. Focus more on monthly service plans to keep computers running their best.

Little-known fact about you? 
I’ve competed in 2 sprint triathalons.

Favorite way you spend your free time?
Fixing computers! OK, gardening, exercising. 

For more information about Thames Computer Consulting and the services provided, please visit the website.