Customer Story

Jessica Champion: Champion Family Therapy

Background

Champion Family Therapy is a mental health and family therapy clinic in Eugene, Oregon, founded by Jessica Champion. With over 16 years of experience as a therapist in various settings, Jessica had always envisioned starting her own clinic. Despite her extensive industry knowledge, she lacked a business background, which initially made the transition from private practice to clinic owner seem daunting.

"I just started searching online and figuring out what I would need. Somewhere in there were the words 'business plan.'"

Jessica Champion

Executive Director, Champion Family Therapy

Problem

Jessica faced several challenges in turning her vision into reality. She needed to create a comprehensive business plan, understand the financial aspects of running a clinic, and determine if her business idea was feasible. Additionally, Jessica had to figure out how to attract and hire the right team for her new venture, despite not having an established track record or reputation in the local community as a business owner.

Solution

Jessica discovered LivePlan while searching for business planning resources online. She was drawn to the software's user-friendly interface and its ability to guide her through all the necessary elements of a business plan. Jessica also enrolled in the SBDC and Lane Community College's Business Plan Accelerator course, which used LivePlan as a teaching tool. This combination of software and education helped Jessica learn crucial business concepts and financial terminology.

Outcome

Using LivePlan, Jessica was able to create multiple iterations of her business plan, allowing her to explore various scenarios and understand the financial implications of different decisions. The software helped her determine the feasibility of her business idea, understand her budget on a month-to-month basis, and learn how to make adjustments as needed. Jessica used the business plan created in LivePlan to successfully recruit her team, as she could confidently answer questions about salary, benefits, and growth expectations. The process of using LivePlan not only helped Jessica create a formal business plan for potential investors but also transformed her from a therapist into a business owner. She credits LivePlan with making business planning accessible and approachable, allowing her to realize her dream of owning a clinic without needing an MBA or extensive business education.