There are some people who have a natural way of making you feel like you’ve known them forever. Tamara Agostino is one of those people. Warm, welcoming and quick to cheer someone on, Tamara brings a fun, genuine energy to every room she enters and makes people feel cared for, supported and heard along the way. Our team felt this instantly and it’s been an absolute pleasure having Tamara participate in our 2026 cohort.
As the owner of Seasons of Self Holistic Psychotherapy in Wasaga Beach and a Starter Company Plus participant, Tamara brings that same warmth and connection to her work, supporting adults through burnout, grief, life transitions and difficult childhood experiences.
Read on to learn more about Tamara, her entrepreneurial journey and the heart behind Seasons of Self.
Tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur. What sparked the idea to start your business?
My journey to becoming an entrepreneur was an accident of sorts. When I graduated, I never imagined I’d one day own my own business. Like many people in the helping profession, I quickly realized that building a meaningful career while earning a sustainable living wasn’t always straightforward.
The idea for Seasons of Self—or S.O.S. for short (pun intended!)—grew out of my own experiences with mental health, healing, and recovery. Living in Wasaga Beach, I saw firsthand how difficult it could be to find quality mental health support close to home. I wanted to create a space where people didn’t have to travel long distances to access care or wonder whether their struggles were “serious enough” to deserve support.
What products or services do you offer, and how do they solve a problem or meet a need?
I offer individual psychotherapy for adults (18+), both in-person in Wasaga Beach and virtually across Ontario. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or exhausted from always being the one holding everything together.
Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what’s beneath those patterns, and develop healthier ways of coping. My goal isn’t to “fix” people — it’s to help them reconnect with themselves so they can move through life with more self-compassion.
Who or what do you turn to for creative ideas and business inspiration?
I’m inspired by conversations more than anything. Listening to my clients, connecting with other local business owners, and spending time in nature often sparks my best ideas. I also use my own lived experience as a therapy-goer!
What sets your business apart? What do you want people to remember about you?
I want people to remember how they felt when they were with me: grounded, witnessed, and held. Therapy can feel intimidating, so I’ve intentionally created a space that feels warm, welcoming, and deeply human. I bring pieces of myself into my work—from the thoughtful design of my office to the way I show up on social media—because I believe authenticity helps people feel safe enough to be themselves. At Seasons of Self, healing isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating enough safety to start asking the right questions.
Why did you apply for the Starter Company Plus program, and what are you hoping to gain from it? What have you gained so far?
Starting a private practice means wearing a lot of hats that graduate school doesn’t teach you. I applied because I wanted to strengthen the business side of my practice while connecting with other entrepreneurs who understand the challenges of building something from the ground up.
The program has given me valuable insight into marketing, business planning, and sustainable growth, but one of the biggest benefits has been realizing I’m not building this alone.
What mindset shift helped you grow your business the most?
The biggest mindset shift was realizing that people can’t connect with a business they’ve never seen. For a long time, I was afraid of putting myself out there — sharing my thoughts, showing up on social media, and letting people see the person behind the practice. Like many entrepreneurs, I worried about being judged or saying the wrong thing.
Once I embraced being visible and started showing up authentically, everything changed. I stopped trying to sound like every other therapist and simply started being myself. The right people found me, not because I had the perfect marketing strategy, but because they connected with the human behind the business.
What’s one piece of advice that keeps you grounded or motivated?
The advice I come back to often is, “There are years that answer, and years that question.” As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to compare ourselves to businesses that seem further ahead or to feel like we should always be doing more. That reminder helps me stay focused on serving the people right in front of me, trusting that small, consistent actions create meaningful growth over time.
What tool, app, or habit helps you stay organized?
It’s not glamorous, but one of the best habits I’ve built is scheduling a 15-minute buffer after every client session. I use that time to complete my case notes while everything is still fresh. It means my workdays are a little longer, but it also means I don’t take client work home with me. It helps me stay organized, maintain good boundaries, and be fully present when I’m off the clock.
How do you celebrate achievements and milestones within your business?
I’m still learning how to celebrate achievements! Like many entrepreneurs, my instinct is to move straight on to the next goal. Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to pause. Sometimes that looks like treating myself to a nice dinner or a trip to the Scandinave Spa (my favourite!). I recently started a note on my phone where I keep track of business wins and save screenshots of kind emails from clients. On the hard days, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and the lives I’ve had the privilege of being part of.
How do you prioritize work-life balance?
I think this is the final frontier for anyone in the helping profession. Caring for others comes naturally, but protecting your own well-being takes intention. For me, that means turning my phone on Do Not Disturb at 8 p.m., scheduling vacations months in advance so I actually take them, and leaning on trusted colleagues who help keep me accountable to the boundaries I encourage my own clients to set. And almost every day, you’ll find me walking along the beach with my dog, Cooper. Those quiet moments help me reset so I can show up fully, both in my work and in my life.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. It was the walkout song for one of my favourite athletes, Ronda Rousey, and I’ve always loved what it represents. To me, it’s about women who are ready to challenge expectations, trust themselves, and write their own story instead of living by someone else’s rules. That feels very aligned with the work I do. Plus, anyone who follows me on social media knows I don’t mind being a little goofy now and then. The song reminds me not to take myself too seriously.
What’s the most random item on your desk right now, and is there a story behind it?
I have a little figurine of my dog, Cooper. Every decoration in my office has a story because it was important to me that the space felt like home—I spend a lot of my time here. The figurine was a gift from a dear friend I met through my recovery program, and every time I see it, I’m reminded of the power of human connection. It’s a small reminder that healing often begins with feeling seen, supported, and loved.
If you could collaborate with any brand, who would it be?
I’d probably collaborate with Jane, the practice management software I use every day. Fun fact: before I became a therapist, I actually applied for a customer support role there because I loved using the software so much as a client! I didn’t get the job — but now I use Jane every day to run my own practice, which feels like an even better ending to the story.
Connect with Tamara:
Website: www.seasonsofself.ca
Email: tamara@seasonsofself.ca
Phone: 705-212-0026
https://www.instagram.com/realtalktamara/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/tamara-agostino-wasaga-beach-on/1668616
Photos: Victoria Mae Photography