Anthony Centore

I spend much of my time working with persons starting counseling practices. Their first year is difficult, to say the least. New entrepreneurs have a steep learning curve and a mountain of tasks to complete (especially when they’re building a group practice).

Valued at about $50 billion, it’s undisputed that Uber’s business was a great idea. Except, they weren’t the first to think of it. Ever hear of Taxi Magic? It did basically the same thing as Uber, but they didn’t execute as well. Uber didn’t win just because it was a genius idea. It won on effective execution.

As Private Practice Consultant for the ACA, of all the practice forms requested of me by members, the one I’m asked for above all others is an employment contract. Often, practice owners—both novice and experienced—are looking for something that will protect them from the myriad things that can go wrong when working closely with others.

Recently, with 10 minute’s notice, I was asked to speak to a class of counseling students. Having nothing prepared, I scrambled! I knew whatever I came up with last second wasn’t going to be pretty, but I wanted to provide something of value. So, I asked myself “What did I need to hear 15 years ago?”

Creativity in a business column? Absolutely. Some might associate business with spreadsheets, but I think business more closely resembles an art project. One needs lots of creativity to build a remarkable company—to solve problems for customers, and do it in a way that’s financially sustainable.