Today we’d like to introduce you to Marci Orr.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I started in corporate American in the industry of advertising, marketing, and promotions. At the time of the global economic downturn of 2008, I owned a small advertising agency with a few key clients. Once clients began to cut their advertising budgets, I began to realize that my passion for the ad business was waning so, I started researching counseling programs with universities in the DFW area. It wasn’t until four years later that I decided to go back to school and obtain my Masters in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. My life has been forever changed for the better by this decision!
Once I graduated, I worked in a behavioral hospital for my internship and continued in the field as an area clinical director for three intensive outpatient clinics. Lifeologie had been on my radar during grad school, as I attempted to secure my internship at the Dallas/Uptown office and applied again after I graduated. They had a waiting list so long that I was not able to get in the door. We laugh about this now, understanding that I wouldn’t have gained the valuable experience I needed to lead as the clinical director, had I not had the experience I gained in the field.
Once Lifeologie decided to franchise the brand, I found a new opportunity to partner with this incredible company. It wasn’t until I met Linda Graham and Valerie Warren, that Lifeologie Oak Cliff was born. With Linda as the Franchisee, Valerie as the Business Manager, and myself as the Clinical Director, it was the perfect combination of skill sets that were necessary to establish the Lifeologie Oak Cliff Franchise!
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wouldn’t say that we have had obstacles in establishing Lifeologie Oak Cliff, yet we did have the challenge of securing a space that fit the brand as well as the Oak Cliff vibe. We are not corporate, so we did not want that corporate look or feel.
With the increasing growth rate and development in Oak Cliff, available office spaces that fit the quality we were looking for, were few and far between. Thanks to Charlie Perdue with Perdue Equities Company, who introduced us to our 211 S. Tyler St. location, we found a home within a Good Space property. The interesting history with regard to our space is that it was formerly the company headquarters of Stamps-Baxter Music Company, founded in 1924.
They were the largest producers of southern gospel music and operated a music school that attracted people from all over the world. We have the piano that was used in some of these early recordings, currently featured in our space!
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Lifeologie Oak Cliff is a group private practice that provides counseling services to all ages in Oak Cliff and surrounding communities. We offer professional counseling services that include individual, marital, family, play, group and psychotherapeutic yoga therapy. We bring a high-level quality of care to the community.
We collaboratively hand selected and recruited our team of therapists who could bring that quality of care to our clients. We are most proud of our team, as the selection process took months with one goal in mind, we understand how important it is to create a culture. Our culture is collaborative, transparent, supportive and FUN!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was rebellious and thought I knew everything at 16! I was hyperactive and felt like I was coming out of my skin most of the time. I never wanted to miss out, FOMO (fear of missing out) was a real thing for me. If I were grounded, and couldn’t make a party, which was most of my high school career, I thought it was the end of the world.
My younger brother would probably describe me as bossy, as I would try to find a way for him to work for me in some capacity! I was raised by teen parents who did the absolute best they could under their circumstances. My mother and father came from abusive alcoholic households that drove them out of their homes and into each other’s arms.
As a result, I came into this world! I was the first in my family, on either side to go to college. I would say collectively, we beat some pretty significant odds. I am grateful for my life experiences, for, without them, I wouldn’t have the drive and tenacity to see things through!
Contact Info:
- Address: 211 S. Tyler Street Dallas, TX 75208
- Website: www.wefixbrains.com/oakcliff
- Phone: 972-590-8030
- Email: lifeologieoc@wefixbrains.com
- Facebook: @lifeologieoakcliff
Image Credit:
Valerie Warren, Linda Graham, Marci Orr, Scott Griggs, David Spence, Anna Kim, Brandi Bailey, and Jasmine Moore, Anna Kim, Jasmine Moore
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