- Revisited- Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills

Erica Kesse

Taking a second Look at Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills

Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills to entrepreneurs because entrepreneurs often face challenges that can be difficult to overcome on their own. These challenges can include:

  • Starting and running a business can be stressful. Entrepreneurs often have to deal with a lot of pressure, both from themselves and from others. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression.
  • Entrepreneurs can feel isolated. They may feel like they are the only ones who are going through what they are going through. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Entrepreneurs can make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but entrepreneurs are often more likely to make mistakes because they are taking risks. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, legal problems, and even personal problems.

Honey, You Need Counseling Skills: Heal Yourself, Ignite the Leader, Grow your Business by Erica Kess, LPC is a book that can help entrepreneurs deal with these challenges. The book provides entrepreneurs with counseling skills that can help them manage stress, build a support network, learn from mistakes, and more.

The 5 imperative counseling skills of vision casting, mission creation, communication skills, time management, and thrive planning are all essential for entrepreneurs. Vision casting is the ability to create a clear and compelling vision for the future. Mission creation is the process of defining the purpose of an organization. Communication skills are essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, and investors. Time management is essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to get things done. Thrive planning is essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to plan for the future and ensure that their business is successful.

Other counseling skills that would benefit entrepreneurs include:


  • Problem-solving skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to identify and solve problems in order to be successful.
  • Decision-making skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to make decisions quickly and effectively.
  • Stress management. Entrepreneurs are often under a lot of stress, and they need to be able to manage that stress in order to be successful.
  • Organizational skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to organize their time and their work in order to be efficient and effective.
  • Teamwork skills. Entrepreneurs often work with other people, and they need to be able to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Motivation skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to motivate themselves and others in order to be successful.



By developing these counseling skills, entrepreneurs can be more successful in their businesses.

Why Your Business Feels Like a Burden (And How to Fix the Invisible Brake)

By Erica Kesse • February 6, 2026
You didn’t start your business to become a mechanic. You started it to be a visionary. Yet, lately, you find yourself exhausted, second-guessing your intuition, and feeling like the entire weight of the company is resting on your shoulders.  In my work with leaders, I call this "Strategic Floundering." It’s that heavy, tight feeling in your chest when you realize that despite the long hours, the view from the summit isn't getting any closer. Here is the truth most consultants miss: You don’t have a productivity problem. You have a configuration problem. To reach your Vision (The Horizon), you need a high-performance Mission (The Vehicle). Your Vision is the emotional "Why." Your Mission is the operational "How." If the vehicle is broken—missing tires, no fuel, or a seized engine—it doesn't matter how hard you stare at the horizon. You aren't going anywhere. When your Mission is vague, you pay the "Ambiguity Tax." This isn't a line item on your P&L, but it is your most expensive cost. The First-Order Effect: You jump in to fix every small problem. The Second-Order Effect: Y our best people stop thinking for themselves because they know you’ll take over. You accidentally turn "A-Players" into "order-takers." This creates a Ghost Engine where your personal health and sleep are the only things keeping the company moving. This isn't a business; it's a cage. Real leadership isn't just a head game. To stop pushing the car and start driving it, you must achieve Vertical Integration: The Head (Mind): Does the Mission make logical sense? Does every service have its own tires (budget and staff)? The Heart: Does this work still feed your soul, or have you abandoned your values for growth? The Gut: Do you t rust your own intuition, or are you ignoring the "check engine" light in your stomach? When these three are aligned, the friction disappears. You move from being a worker in your business to being the Commander of your legacy. You can keep pushing the car until you burn out, or you can pull over and fix the engine.

Wellbeing at Work: Why Purpose (Mission) is the Ultimate Buffer Against Burnout

By Erica Kesse • January 23, 2026
Why can a CEO work 80 hours a week on a passion project and feel energized, but 40 hours on a meaningless task feels draining? The answer lies in Purpose . Research shows that connecting work to a higher Mission is one of the strongest buffers against burnout. If you are worried about the mental health of your leadership team, look at your Mission statement first. The "Why" Matters More Than the "What" "Quiet quitting" and executive burnout often stem from a sense of futility. Weak Mission: "We want to increase Q3 profits." (High stress, low fulfillment). Strong Mission: "We exist to save our home planet." (Patagonia). (High effort, high fulfillment).  Leadership Resilience For a CEO, the Mission is the fuel tank. When times get tough, profit goals won't keep you warm. Only a deep belief in why you exist can sustain your wellbeing through a crisis.

Mental Health in the C-Suite: Why Shared Vision Creates Safer Workplaces

By Erica Kesse • January 16, 2026
A toxic work environment is rarely intentional. It usually grows in the vacuum of a clear Vision. When people don't know where the company is going, they become territorial, political, and anxious. For leadership, solving this isn't just about HR policies; it's about painting a clear picture of the future. A shared Vision is a cornerstone of psychological safety. Uncertainty vs. Wellbeing Human beings crave certainty. In the absence of a clear Vision: Employees worry about their job security. Managers hoard information. CEOs feel isolated. This environment destroys wellbeing. However, when the Vision ("The Summit") is clear, the team focuses on the climb rather than fighting each other. The "Mars Group" Therapy Running a visioning exercise (like the "Mars Group" framework) is surprisingly therapeutic. It allows the team to detach from daily stressors and reconnect with why they do the work. It shifts the collective mindset from "survival mode" to "creation mode." A clear Vision doesn't just drive profit; it lowers cortisol. It unifies the tribe and makes the workplace a safer space to be.
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