Small Business Month Feature: Trailtalk
Since 1963, the United States has recognized small businesses and their impact on American culture and economy. The month of May aims to honor our nation’s 28 million small businesses and the amazing people who run them.
This year the Salt Lake Chamber is honoring the entrepreneurs, business innovators and startup creators in our local community, demonstrating our renewed commitment to them. Throughout the month of May the Chamber will highlight several businesses making a difference in Utah business and the local community.
Feature: Trailtalk
Trailtalk’s model of care, Therapylite ™ , destigmatizes access to mental heath care services.
Busy, functional people need and deserve mental health tune ups as much as anyone, but often push that kind of self care aside. Time constraints and the unfair stigma attributed to mental illness prevent many of us from seeking mental health care services.
Being proactive, and making your emotional health as important as your physical health lets you reach your full potential and become your authentic, true self
We spoke with Allison Page MS, APRN of Trailtalk to give us an inside look at the business.
Tell us about your business and how it began.
Trailtalk is unique in offering the opportunity for “Walk and Talks” with a professionally trained psychotherapist.
Trailtalk is:
Accessible
Trailtalk meets you where you are, on or off the trail. Walk with a professionally trained therapist near your home or office before work, at lunch, or at the end of a long day. Trailtalk is mobile, fluid and open to your needs. Walk and talk is year round, but on cold, blustery Park City days we might choose to move inside and enjoy a warm drink during the session. Clients who are unable to walk can enjoy outdoor sessions too. We provide chairs in a quiet, private area.
Approachable
Trailtalk therapists understand that one’s mental health is as important and vital to a human’s well being as physical health. Routine check-ups for physical health are the norm. We want to encourage people to do the same for their minds. We can do more than survive. We can thrive.
How much are your relationships worth? What’s the price of being a well-adjusted, functioning adult? Good mental health is all about early intervention and prevention. Trailtalk believes mental health care can be both preventative and restorative. What we think, believe and feel affects us physically. And on the other hand, how we choose to treat our bodies’ affects us emotionally. Trailtalk fosters an appreciation for mind/body integration.
What are 3 words you would use to describe your business.
Trailtalk is normalizing emotional health care. Trailtalk’s sustainable. And Trailtalk is passionate about shedding light on the shame and stigma of access to emotional care for everyone. Better Emotional Health takes One Step!
What do you see or hope to see for your business in the future?
Trailtalk has 3 trailheads (code for offices). We are in Park City, Salt Lake City and this month opening a trailhead in Provo. We also have a mobile office – our Therapyonthefly is a Sprinter Van set up as an office inside. We bring the van to various trails and pathways through the Wasatch Front and Back. Our vision is to franchise Trailtalk making access to emotional care (using nature as our main therapeutic tool) as normal as seeking preventive physical care.
Why did you join the Chamber?
Trailtalk joined the Chamber for networking opportunities. We are involved with the Park City Chamber, Salt Lake Chamber and the Provo Chamber. We’ve made great contacts at every event we’ve attended.
What does the Chamber do for your business?
The Chamber gives us a forum to introduce our business, and work toward our goal of de-stigmatizing emotional care for everyone.
What advice would you give people just starting out?
Attend the new comers meetings. Go to monthly socials, and take advantage of the opportunities the Chamber offers on a monthly basis.
What makes small local businesses special? Why should people care about local businesses?
Local businesses keep our communities connected and vibrant. We are part of the community and feel more invested in what we are selling and trading. People should care about small business because it keeps our children and families closer to home and spending money with our own communities. It also keeps our carbon footprint small.
What would you tell other small business owners? Or those that are thinking of becoming one?
It’s worth the effort. Naysayers are just scared to do what you are risking to do as you start your won business. Find cheerleaders to talk you off the edge when you lose your confidence or need words of encouragement. If you are passionate about your business idea, make it happen. Surround yourself with like minded people. Learn to live in fear! Come visit us at Trailtalk and we will walk and talk with you as you navigate your way to becoming a small business owner.
Full story on Salt Lake Chamber
