Exploring Life & Business with Marci Payne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marci Payne.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a natural encourager with a heart for people and a mind for seeing patterns and solving problems. I’ve known I wanted to be a counselor or therapist since I was in my last year of high school. But I had no idea I would end up being my own boss too! I feel like each step I took to get to where I am today has been a stepping stone. I started off working for others. But the more I learned about the business of private practice, the more I really wanted to run the business in a way that felt aligned with my own vision.

I also tried on several niches working with a variety of ages and client issues until I found my calling. I love that as my own boss, I get to change course when I feel called to try something new or work with a different population of clients. Although I love the freedom, it definitely took finding the right kind of support and training to get to a place where my practice was growing.

Now, I can celebrate that my business pays for itself, helps support my family, myself, and am able to start giving to causes I care about. I currently work with clients individually in my counseling practice. I love working with ambitious men and women who are burned out or going through relationship transitions, such as divorce or dating. I thrive at helping those that neglect themselves for their work or their relationships.

And this year, I am expanding my business to include offering a group coaching program for women. I have been successfully helping all my clients individually with their people-pleasing recovery, so I created a group coaching program called “Embody Your Worth”. As a women’s empowerment coach, I will be guiding women to stop feeling guilty and start building their dream lives from the inside out.

And I can’t wait to help more women who have been looking for love in all the wrong places reclaim their worth without having to prove it to anyone!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think there have been two main struggles as a business owner. First, I went into private practice without any business training. Second, I focused on what I could do instead of what I would love to do. So when my business skills and client niche became clear and strong, my practice started to shift into a sustainable, profitable business with people I love to work with.

It’s not uncommon for those in the mental health profession to go into business for themselves with a lot of clinical training, but no idea how to run a business. While it sometimes takes time to find the best match for a training program and/or coach, the investment is worth it.

And the more supported and sustainable my business became, the more I felt empowered to work with clients I loved helping the most. One of the biggest lessons has been as I grow, my business grows. In turn, when I grow, I can help people even more.

We’ve been impressed with Marci Payne, MA, LPC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and a Women’s Empowerment Coach.

I offer individual counseling for men & women who are struggling with burnout, divorce recovery, people-pleasing, and/or self-worth. My practice is virtual, and I offer both confidential phone and video sessions. For new clients, I give a free 15-minute phone call to help determine if we are a good fit for your counseling goals.

As a women’s empowerment coach, I help to recover, people-pleasers stop feeling guilty and start building their dream lives from the inside out. If this resonates with you, get on my waitlist for the next Embody Your Worth group. While you wait, you will receive my free Guilt-Free Intuitive Guide to Self-Care to use right away.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I started working from home as soon as the lockdowns started in March 2020, and haven’t been back to an office setting yet. I’ve found that my clinical skills and self-care improved. When I do phone or video sessions, I listen even deeper and trust my intuition more than when I was in an office session. I’ve also invested in some really unique outside-the-box training that both myself and my clients have benefited from.

I’ve also learned I take better care of myself when I’m working from home. I’m much more likely to get up and move my body during a workday if I’m wearing comfy clothes and can go right out my front door. My clients have done sessions from some very creative places, and when it’s warm I have the option of moving outside to my deck.

Lastly, I love the space I’ve created for my home office. I have a private place to see clients, and also a space to do yoga, meditate, journal, and paint!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marcipayne.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marci.payne.lpc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CounselorMarciPayne
• Other: https://marcipayne.com/embody-your-worth/

Image Credits
Alicia Hyde (Kinder Bild Photography)