– Commercial –
As a part of the Morning Lazziness collection highlighting empowering ladies who’re making a outstanding affect with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Julie Candy.
Julie Sweet is a medical Psychotherapist and founding father of Seaway Counselling and Psychotherapy, primarily based in Sydney’s jap suburbs at Bondi Junction. With a compassionate and evidence-based method, Julie helps people in navigating life’s challenges, constructing resilience, and fostering emotional well-being.
Her experience and insights have been extensively featured throughout main media shops, together with The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, ABC Information, Vogue, Sunday Life, Girls’s Well being, Grazia, MamaMia, Marie Claire, The Every day Telegraph, Physique+Soul, and lots of extra. She has additionally partnered with manufacturers akin to Ninja Thirsti Water Bottle Australia and Bumble For Associates, additional increasing her affect within the wellness area.
By way of her work in remedy, public talking, and media contributions, Julie is devoted to breaking down stigma round psychological well being and serving to individuals create significant, sustainable change of their lives.
On this interview, she reveals the mindset shifts, daring strikes, and classes that helped her flip concepts into impactful on-line companies.
What impressed you to grow to be an entrepreneur, and the way did your journey start?
My journey started with a longing – a deep pull towards changing into a psychotherapist. Beginning my very own medical observe was by no means about enterprise within the conventional sense, it was about honouring that calling. Over time, it grew into one thing bigger, a method of making area the place individuals might really feel actually seen, heard, and valued. For me, entrepreneurship has by no means been about chasing success or competitors, I’m not aggressive, it has at all times been about service – strolling beside individuals of their most susceptible moments, bearing witness to their tales, and holding that belief with care. That, to me, is the truest measure of accomplishment.
I describe myself as one thing of a late bloomer. I just lately turned 50, and my profession path was removed from linear. I didn’t go to uni straight out of faculty, as an alternative, I returned in my early thirties as a mature-age pupil after starting my very own remedy and self-examination. Leaving the company world, I studied full time whereas additionally working full time, decided to observe this path. I secured a task within the psychological well being trade earlier than graduating and by no means seemed again. Greater than 13 years later, I nonetheless really feel privileged each day to do that work.
Why did you select to focus your small business on serving ladies, and what does that mission imply to you personally?
This focus grew naturally. It wasn’t a marketing strategy, it was one thing that unfolded as I discovered myself surrounded by ladies – colleagues, particular person and group therapists, mentors, medical supervisors, buddies, and purchasers (who grew to become the village that sustains me). My enterprise was by no means constructed alone, it has been formed by neighborhood. In fact, I additionally work with males, who I study from, but serving ladies feels deeply private. It’s a method of giving again to the village that carried me and affirming that girls deserve areas of security, therapeutic, and empowerment.
What makes your small business or model distinctive in as we speak’s market?
I don’t consider my observe as “distinctive” within the branding sense. Remedy, to me, isn’t about standing out, it’s about standing with. My observe exists to carry area – for survivors, for purchasers, for anybody carrying untold tales. If there’s something distinct about my method, it’s that I see remedy not as fixing, directing, or advising, however as a sacred act of witnessing. That orientation – person-centred, client-led, and deeply human guides each session.
What’s been one of the crucial rewarding moments in your entrepreneurial journey up to now?
Truthfully, essentially the most rewarding second was merely starting. Taking the leap to construct a medical observe round what I really like appears like a second probability at a profession, and in some ways, a second life. There are days it nonetheless feels surreal – to get up and realise that is my work. I genuinely love what I do, and I don’t take that with no consideration.
What challenges have you ever confronted as a lady constructing a enterprise for girls, and the way have you ever turned these challenges into gas?
One problem has been the quiet expectation that girls ought to “do all of it” – be competent, nurturing, resilient, and tireless unexpectedly. I’ve felt that strain, and infrequently I’ve heard the faint voice of self-doubt (it’s additionally been very loud at occasions).
What turned that problem into gas was realising that vulnerability just isn’t a weak spot in enterprise, it’s a power. By leaning into help, searching for medical supervision, and asking for mentorship, I’ve grown not solely as an expert however as an individual. Success, I’ve realized, doesn’t imply solitary striving. Each impediment has been an invite to deepen neighborhood, problem outdated narratives about ladies in management, and construct a medical observe that embodies compassion as a lot as competence.
Are you able to share a buyer story or testimonial that reminded you why your work actually issues?
One story stays with me. Years in the past, a shopper who had skilled racial vilification shared that my ethnicity initially triggered discomfort for them – echoes of their very own conditioning. As an alternative of retreating, they selected to lean into that discomfort and produce it into the room. Collectively, we labored by means of it. To witness somebody rework prejudice into presence was one of many best items of my profession. It jogged my memory of the braveness required for therapeutic and of what I’ll characterize to others once they encounter me. I’ll at all times carry gratitude for that shopper’s honesty.
What gaps or unmet wants did you discover in your trade that motivated you to construct your individual resolution?
Too usually remedy can really feel overly medical or transactional, leaving little room for deep humanity. I wished to create a medical observe the place purchasers felt accompanied, not judged – the place their tales had been honoured quite than pathologised. For ladies particularly, remedy has usually centered on what’s “mistaken” with them. My imaginative and prescient was to construct one thing completely different – a medical observe rooted in empathy, collaboration, and compassion, the place therapeutic just isn’t about fixing however about remembering one’s wholeness and essence.
How do you keep motivated throughout the robust occasions or moments of doubt?
Doubt is a part of being human. In these moments, I return to the tales of the purchasers I’ve labored with – their braveness, their resilience, their willingness to step into the susceptible work of therapeutic whereas carrying trauma. Bearing witness to their power jogs my memory how courageous people are. I additionally draw on my village – particular person and group remedy, medical supervision, mentors, colleagues, and my cherished tribe. Motivation, for me, isn’t about powering by means of alone, it’s about remembering I don’t must. That’s necessary, particularly in personal observe.
What habits or routines aid you keep centered, balanced, and productive as a founder?
I attempt to reside what I encourage my purchasers to observe: grounding, relaxation, and reflection. Steadiness doesn’t at all times come simply. My mornings usually start with the busyness of an energetic toddler, a border collie, and a medical observe. Nonetheless, I attempt to carve out area for journaling and set an intention every day, writing it on my rest room mirror with liquid chalk. Walks morning and afternoon deliver me peace. Scientific supervision and reflective observe maintain me anchored. Evenings are for my accomplice and household earlier than I return to work as soon as the home is quieter. For me, productiveness just isn’t about fixed output, it’s about sustainability.
How do you join along with your viewers and construct belief with the ladies you serve?
Belief isn’t one thing you may market, it’s one thing you construct second by second. I join with ladies by assembly them precisely the place they’re – with out judgment, with out agenda. Belief grows when ladies really feel secure sufficient to deliver their full selves into the room, even the elements they’ve hidden elsewhere. My function is to not rush them however to stroll beside them as they unfold.
What has been the simplest method you’ve grown your model or buyer base?
Development has come by means of relationships quite than campaigns or methods. Phrase of mouth, neighborhood connections, and belief constructed over time have been the strongest foundations. When somebody refers a greatest good friend, sister, husband, mate, or colleague, that’s the highest affirmation – it means they felt secure sufficient with me to increase that belief to somebody they care about.
What does “ladies supporting ladies” appear like to you in enterprise — and the way do you actively embody that in your model or management type?
For me, ladies supporting ladies is about dismantling the parable of shortage. I merely don’t subscribe to that narrative. Success just isn’t restricted, there’s room for all of us. It’s not about competing for a seat on the desk however about constructing a much bigger desk. In my medical observe, meaning celebrating the achievements of different ladies, providing mentorship, and being clear about each my wins and my struggles. When one girl rises, she lifts others together with her and I attempt to embody that in how I lead. It’s extremely inspiring to see ladies attaining their objectives, and I consider their successes have to be overtly acknowledged and celebrated.
What recommendation would you give to different ladies who’re simply beginning out in enterprise?
Begin small, but begin. I used to be advised one thing related a very long time in the past, and it has remained with me. Don’t await the ‘excellent’ second (there’s no such factor) because it doesn’t exist. Encompass your self with mentors and friends who will each problem and help you. Search each trustworthy suggestions and encouragement. Most significantly, belief your inside voice, your intestine. You don’t have to steer like anybody else. Your authenticity is your best asset.
The place can our viewers join with you and study extra about your journey or model?
I welcome connection – I yearn for it. Whether or not by means of my skilled web site, medical observe channels, or just reaching out for a dialog, my hope is that by sharing a part of my journey, I can proceed to construct a neighborhood of girls supporting ladies – not simply in enterprise, however within the deeper work of therapeutic and progress. Girls change the world, and I’ve the privilege of figuring out many who’ve, who’re, and who will.
– Commercial –
