From Crisis Work to Culture Builders: How Two Therapists Created a Business That Heals

Running a business isn't all strategy and spreadsheets. Sometimes, it starts with two people who care deeply, work with integrity, and are just scrappy enough to figure it out along the way.

That’s the story behind Beth Tellez and Stacey Bankston, co-founders of Creative Counseling Center of Northwest Arkansas and the guests on the latest episode of the TrustBuilt Podcast.

Beth and Stacey didn’t start out as entrepreneurs. Like many therapists, they were trained to help people—not run payroll or negotiate leases. But when their careers brought them to neighboring offices in a group practice, a quiet conversation about the sterile, institutional vibe of their workplace sparked something much bigger. They began to dream up what therapy could feel like: warm, connected, creative.

Then they got to work building it.

And y’all—it wasn’t easy.

In our conversation, we talk about those late-night Google sessions, the 2 a.m. video calls, and the constant learning curve of first-time business ownership. But we also dig into the parts most people overlook: how their shared values of connection, clarity, and compassion shaped not just the client experience, but the business model itself.

Some key takeaways:

✅ Therapists make damn good business owners.

Social workers know how to adapt, problem-solve, and connect deeply with people. Beth and Stacey bring these strengths to everything from staff interviews to marketing their practice.

✅ Boundaries build trust.

Their contractor model honors autonomy while preserving a consistent, high-quality standard of care. They don't micromanage their team, but they do build systems that protect their culture.

✅ Sustainable businesses start with self-awareness.

They’re still active clinicians, and that means safeguarding their own mental health, too. Regular admin days, work retreats, and therapy (yes, for the therapists) are non-negotiable.

✅ Their growth is intentional.

Despite tripling in size during the pandemic, Beth and Stacey stayed rooted in their mission. As they move toward a more holistic model—integrating services like yoga, sound baths, and occupational therapy—they’re proving that scaling doesn’t have to mean selling out.

This episode isn’t just for therapists. It’s for any founder who’s ever said, “I want to grow, but not lose what makes this special.”

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: TrustBuilt Podcast on YouTube
📞 Want to build a business that reflects your values—and runs without you? Book a free consultation with me