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Helping people laugh at life
By Mandie Crawford Hamilton Spectator March 21, 2005
"Life is a journey not to be taken quite so seriously," she says. It's thinking like this that makes Cowie a counsellor to whom people can relate.Cowie attended McMaster University on a scholarship in 1974, taking sociology and aiming at a degree in the social sciences. Before she completed the degree, the job market appeared to dry up and Cowie panicked, taking a job with Bell Canada in Hamilton as a file clerk.
While she was there, she saw an opportunity for sales to the small business community. She took the proposal to her supervisor, asking him to consider providing small businesses with specialty phone service. On her fourth or fifth trip into his office, he finally agreed, and Cowie became a successful sales representative for Bell.
Later, newly divorced with a child to raise, she began looking for employment with more flexibility.
"I watched my neighbour come home every day at 2 in the afternoon," she says. "So I asked her to let me know if there was an opening."
Less than a year later, Cowie began working as a pharmaceutical rep. She spent 15 years in that job until she woke up one morning and "realized I had turned into a boring person. So I decided to become more exciting."
She returned to Mac and left with bachelors' degrees in arts, as well as social work. "I realized I loved helping people. My sales jobs were not about selling, but about solving problems. I knew I would likely work until I was 80, so I wanted to do something that would continue to help people. Counselling was the obvious choice."
She began by doing peer counselling at a women's centre in Hamilton. Then she decided to open her own counselling business. With about $15,000 in investments, she began building her business.
She joined a networking club, and soon realized there were other investments to make -- a good website, business cards, logos, office furniture and renovations. In 2003, Cowie opened Heidi Helps Counselling.
Clients arriving at her office are greeted by Cowie, who offers a cup of coffee or tea -- and Rocketman, who peeks out at the activity from behind a fabric screen. He likes to curl up at their feet and sleep throughout the session.
"It really is all about balance," Cowie says. "People need to stop and think of the mind-body connection. When we are troubled and out of balance it really does make us sick."
Cowie's intention is to provide a comfortable environment for honest dialogue and problem-solving. She provides counselling for couples, families and individuals.
"Life is all about choices. Unfortunately we do not always have all the information we need to make some of the decisions in life that we must make (and) change those things that are not working for us."
Cowie admits that marketing her business has been a challenge, but she has hustled to get her name out there.
She's used her counselling expertise to write articles for websites and community newspapers, and is also a resource for several other print publications. She has appeared several times on CH TV.
Most importantly though, Cowie now lives to laugh.
"Recent studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveal that when women experience emotional upheaval, it affects their heart," she says. And so it is important to Cowie to provide a place where her clients can come in and learn to laugh again.
She can be reached at www.heidihelps.com or 905-385-0686.
Lessons learned
* Surround yourself with positive people. Heidi had people who would push her or pull her when she needed some guidance.
* Be patient. It takes time to build a good reputation. Do not open your doors and just expect people to show up -- you have to prove yourself.
* Never forget that you are your business. Cowie is sure to present a professional image even when in the grocery store. "Track pants are for Sunday evenings and a good movie at home."
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