Donna Welter had no way of knowing that her Internet search for grant money would eventually lead her to the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Joliet Junior College where she would meet Business Analyst, Carol Turney who would help her secure funding and make her entrepreneurial dream come true.
After almost ten years of dreaming about it, Donna M. Welter, MSW, LCSW finally opened Great Changes Counseling Services, P.C. on February 28, 2011. “Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what questions to ask or what exactly I was looking for when I met with Carol Turney,” said Welter. “I knew I needed money to get started, and wasn’t sure what options were available to secure capital for my venture. Carol asked me important questions which helped me to organize and plan and make this dream a reality.”
Despite the current economic downturn, opening a counseling practice may still be a good idea. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall demand for counselors is expected to grow by 18 percent through 2018. “I think this demand could create some entrepreneurial opportunities for counselors – especially those who have their own vision for helping people,” said Turney. “And Donna is a counselor with a solid vision.”
Welter’s vision for helping people begins the moment clients make initial contact with her. “I try to make sure that the client is going to have a good fit with respect to their presenting issue and the expertise of the therapist, as well as making sure that the client feels comfortable with the personality of the therapist from the initial phone consult,” said Welter. “I offer to help the client find the best possible therapist for their situation, even if that therapist is not at Great Changes.”
Welter specializes in couple’s therapy and believes that each individual in a relationship needs to increase their self-awareness and ability to take charge of their own behavior before the couple’s issues can be addressed. “I hold each person accountable for their own contributing factors to some of the current difficulties,” explained Welter, “and encourage mutual assistance from each to make the necessary changes.”
According to Welter, Turney was a positive, patient, and encouraging advisor. She particularly remembers the help Turney gave her with funding options. “Carol provided information about an SBA loan that proved to be the right package for my business. That was the beginning of what made it all happen for me.”
Welter operates her practice with two additional counselors and her service is doing well. She is grateful for the advice and direction she received at the SBDC. “Carol Turney has been positive, patient and encouraging. I am so grateful for her advice,” said Welter. “She was almost as excited as I was when everything worked out and I actually opened my own practice. If anyone is thinking about opening their own business, but has doubts, I strongly encourage them to call the SBDC and set up a meeting.”
Those interested in contacting Welter can reach her at 708-248-8332 or e-mail dwelter@greatchanges.net.
To learn more about Joliet Junior College’s SBDC, call (815) 280-1400, or e-mail sbdc@jjc.edu. People can also visit www.sbdcjjc.com for more information.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College is one of the small business service providers in the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.