Eric Coly
Founder & CEO
AYANA Therapy
Los Angeles, CA USA
“You need to be able to be seen for you to feel compassion.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationEric Coly
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I grew up in Senegal and moved to the United States for college.
In keeping with a route that would make my parents happy, I earned my bachelor’s degree in finance from Franklin University and then started my career in banking.
I spent ten years in finance growing more and more unhappy because the field was never really a great fit for me and my own personal happiness.
I eventually hit rock bottom and decided to make a career change.
I founded Le Dessein, a socially responsible fashion company aimed at helping to educate young girls in Africa—it gave me a chance to be more courageous and explore my goals and passions.
When one of my friends was struggling to find a therapist, I came up with the idea that there should be an easy way for prospective patients to filter through therapists and find the right match.
After a lot of studying and perseverance, I created AYANA Therapy, a telehealth platform that connects marginalized communities with licensed therapists through a matchmaking algorithm.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Finance/Accounting
Franklin University
Finance/Accounting
Franklin University
Career
Founder & CEO
I created a telehealth platform that connects marginalized communities with licensed therapists.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Entrepreneurship
Technology
Helping People
Day to Day
It depends on the nature of the existing needs. It can go from addressing issues from the clinical department, to operational needs, to focusing on hiring and raising capital.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Develop your own lane. Do yoga and meditation. Travel alone. Question the things that you think are highly held beliefs. These are ways to open up new lanes for yourself so that you can find your own truth and happiness.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"You need to study finance, medicine, or law."
Challenges I Overcame
Mental Health Issues
Interviewed By
Caring Forward
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