A career shaped by seeing the whole family

Noe describes beginning his mental health career working with children on the autism spectrum. Visiting families at home helped him notice the wider demands on parents and siblings, as well as the need for clearer information and support.

That experience encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. Later work in community and school settings continued to shape his interest in understanding a person’s relationships, family history and circumstances alongside their individual concerns.

A family legacy of hard work and service

Growing up in Northern California, Noe saw his parents work long hours to support their family. Education became a meaningful way for him and his siblings to honor that effort. He recalls their diplomas being displayed in their parents’ living room.

He connects his professional direction with a family culture of helping others. When he opened a mental health collective, using the Avila name was a way to recognize his parents’ legacy. He wanted the business to reflect what their work had made possible, as well as the community he hoped to serve.

Shared background is a starting point for trust

Noe initially expected that speaking Spanish and sharing a Latino background would make connecting with families straightforward. His early professional experience challenged that assumption. Families brought different histories, concerns and experiences with institutions.

He describes learning to listen closely, explain his role and give people room to ask questions. In his account, building trust means recognizing fear and uncertainty rather than assuming everyone understands or feels comfortable with a service being offered.

Think about the effort it takes to reach your service

Noe and Jet discuss practical barriers that can make attending an appointment difficult, including transportation, scheduling and childcare. Noe describes how running his own practice gave him more flexibility to consider different arrangements for individual families.

The wider business lesson is to understand the effort a client must make before they can use a service. His approach begins with paying attention to the person’s circumstances and considering how the way a service is delivered can support its purpose.

Professional training did not teach him how to run a business

Near the end of the conversation, Noe reflects on a gap between his clinical education and the practical knowledge needed for private practice. Business plans, marketing, organizational structure and commercial leases were new territory.

He credits conversations with Jet and access to small-business advising with helping him see options he had not known existed. He also describes learning from his accountant and from mistakes along the way. Asking for guidance became part of moving from a professional role into ownership.

A new office—and a different relationship with time

Having to leave a previous workspace unexpectedly made the next move feel daunting. Noe recalls being anxious about the cost and process of finding a commercial space. By the time of the interview, he had moved into a suite with three offices and a conference room.

The progress brought excitement and more to learn. He discusses future responsibilities, including marketing and potentially bringing on employees, while becoming more intentional about his time. As the first business owner in his family, he sees the practice as both a personal milestone and a continuation of the work ethic he grew up with.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Noe Avila?

Noe is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the owner of Noe Avila Therapy. In the episode, he discusses his community work and the experience of building a private practice.

How did his career begin?

He describes working with children on the autism spectrum before pursuing further training in marriage and family therapy and working in community and school settings.

Why is his family background important to the story?

Noe connects his work to his parents’ efforts, the importance of education in his family and a shared commitment to serving others.

What business challenges does he discuss?

He talks about learning business planning, marketing and commercial leasing, as well as becoming more intentional with his time as a practice owner.

How did mentorship help him?

Noe credits business advising and conversations with Jet with helping him understand unfamiliar decisions and recognize opportunities for growing his practice.