We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Michele Finneran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Michele, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After the community mental health center closed where I worked at, I had to take some time to figure out my next step. I was continously applying for 9 to 5 jobs with no responses. I was tired of working hard and making minimual money, as well as working for someone else. However, I did not want to lose the security of a fixed wage and income. When all the doors were closing in on me, I sat in silence, attempting to figure out my next steps. I knew that I loved counseling, but did not know anything about business. This is when I began working for someone in the field within their private practice. After while, of understanding the private practice scene, I learned from this experience, what NOT to do in business. I, eventually after sometime, felt it was time to venture out my own, and that is exactly what I did.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is named “Vecc & Associates, LLC.” This business is a professional, clinical private practice that serves teens, young adults, adults, marriages/couples, families, communities and muncipalities in my local area. My main population that I serve is First Responders; law enforcement, fire fighters, nurses and paramedics who are important professionals in the helping field themselves. When I made up my mind and focused in on taking a thought – out risk of going into prviate practice, things began to align with each other. Prior to that, I was on the fence and anxious about not having a steady pay check, which held me back for some time, until I finally made the clear decision to open my own solo-business and to go into business for myself. It is then, that things started to fall into place for me, as I shut out all other distractions and focused in on gaining a reputable name in my community, starting out. I had previously learned, working in someone else’s private practice, what NOT to do in business and made a conscious decision to do the opposite of what I was exposed to previously, as a business woman. As a practicing psychotherapist, I am also published author and wrote a booked by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group called, “Surviving Domestic Abuse: Formal & Informal Supports and Services.” This research/academic oriented book includes real-life domestic abuse survivors accountants on how effective or ineffective usage of formal and informal supports were to asssist them in abolishing their abusive dynamic.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would and want my cousin (who is more like a sister), to plan on meeting up for a special occasion (like a 50th birthday); we would make arrangements to go to Italy with each other. As us both being women of American – Italian heritage, we would be traveling all around Italy (Rome, Venice, Fluorence, Milan, etc. ) and going to all tourist points and attractions in those areas. Having cappuccino in the morning time and enjoyment in exploring different parts and people to gain a sense of our own culture and familial ancestors from years back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldnt be where I am at without the encouragement of my remarkable husband. He has listened to me, even in the midst of my struggles, and continously makes efforts to be present for me in helping me process what it is I am feeling and experiencing. He is part of my biggest supports systems when it comes to my life, personally and professionally, and I could not have done it without him. There is absolutely no way I could have gained long-term success without the loving support of both my mom and dad. It is with their talks, unconditional support and guidance that I have been able to achieve my state licensure, my academic degree as a Ph.D. and my publication. My husband and my parents are my primary support systems that have cheered me on throughout the course and I am forever grateful to them. Professionally, my mentor Dr. Judith McKay, who served on my dissertation chair and committee during my dissertation process at Nova Southeastern University’s Conflict Resolution & Dispute Anaylsis Program. She has sat countless number of nights reviewing, editing and suggesting ways in which to make my dissertation and written work sound more academic and research-oriented. As a academic and professional mentor, Dr. McKay has tremendous intelligence, drive and ambition that I admire and look up to. These signifcant people shaped me into who I am personally and professionally and I feel they deserve my recognition and credit along my journey and path.

Website: https://drmichelefinneran.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.finneran/channel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelefinneran/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.finneran

Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/veccandassociates/_created/ TO ORDER: “SURVIVING DOMESTIC ABUSE: FORMAL AND INFORMAL SUPPORTS AND SERVICES”: Routledge: Taylor & Francis Groups https://www.routledge.com/Surviving-Domestic-Abuse-Formal-and-Informal-Supports-and-Services/Finneran/p/book/9780367859589 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BVTFSVZ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=surviving+domestic+abuse%3A+formal+and+informal+support&qid=1593787581&s=books&sr=1-2

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