"Big Enough to Help, Small Enough to Care"

My career began in marketing research, an unlikely start for a country kid. Raised in rural Indiana, I learned the importance of relying on your neighbors, being kind, polite and honest. When I wanted to water ski, I first had to swim. There were no lessons at the Y back then for me. Instead, we had to figure it out with a little guidance. Treading water became my survival tool. When I went to Indiana University, School of Business, I treaded water a lot. The world of corporate finance was way over my head. Fortunately, I found marketing as something I understood. Consumer behavior became a fascination; why do people buy what they buy and do what they do? I discovered that any successful business needs a point of differentiation.

Fast forward many years, long after I completed a Masters in Social Work, I decided to start a business of my own. I admit, this has been akin to childbirth. If we knew how painful it would be, we might think twice. Aside from raising my son and teaching at USC, starting Riverwalk Counseling Center has been a major life accomplishment. Of course there have been mistakes, and an immense amount of personal growth. Anything important requires commitment and continuous self reflection. Now, almost 15 years in, I see how our practice is different. We retain the heart and soul of helping others while operating at a scale to benefit many. If we can't help, we know who can. www.riverwalkcounseling.net