10 Steps to Nurse Entrepreneurship | The Nurse Keith Show, EPS 316

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On episode 316 of The Nurse Keith Show nursing and healthcare career podcast, Keith outlines his 10 steps to nurse entrepreneurship. Though not the be-all and end-all of launching your nurse-run business, these 10 steps can indeed initially set you on the path and heading in the right direction.

Tip #1: What’s your idea?

A business almost always begins with an idea or a story. Perhaps you’ve invented a physical product like Brian Mohika, or maybe you’d like to start a home health agency targeting homebound seniors whose adult children would like a private duty nurse like you to manage their care. And maybe you have a gripping story that explains your motivations for starting this new venture — those stories can communicate so much about your passion for your project.

Identify your idea
Ascertain if there’s a compelling story behind your idea
Solidify and sharpen your idea and story

Tip #2: Do your research

Most people do a fair amount of research before they go to the trouble of launching a business venture. You need to be fairly certain that there’s a viable market for your product or service; this includes making sure that the people for whom you’re solving a problem are actually seeking a solution for that problem. A great product without a target audience is a product that may never see the light of day.

If you plan to manufacture a physical product, you’ll need to do deep research regarding:

Developing a prototype
Finding a trustworthy manufacturer
Understanding how distribution will take place
Applying for a patent or trademark
And so much more

Tip #3: Identify your target market/niche

Your research will reveal who your target market or niche is, and your mentors and other advisors may have helpful information for you in that regard. The general idea has always been that “the riches are in the niches”, meaning that a narrower niche will often be more successful than a business that tries to serve anyone and everyone.

For me, the niche that I’ve identified for my career coaching services is registered nurses, and that’s a pretty big niche — I even work with some APRNs and nurse practitioners. As other coaches and counselors begin to enter this same market, I may choose to narrow my niche to, for instance, mid-career nurses who need career counseling and support; so I watch the market, see who’s coming to me, and continue to monitor if my target audience needs to change in some way. Being willing to pivot and flex is certainly the order of the day.

Tip #4: Seek support in setting up your business

Starting a business can be a complex undertaking, so getting support is essential. You can seek out a mentor, hire a business coach, or discover if your local municipality provides any services for new business owners.

I cannot recommend the National Nurses in Business Association highly enough. The NNBA provides access to a national community of like-minded nurse entrepreneurs, and the annual conference is the flagship event that any business-minded nurse would be prudent to attend.

There are plenty of business coaches out there, including some who are nurses associated (or not) with the NNBA.

If you need to find out if there’s a small business support center in your local area, try SCORE.org, the oldest and most trustworthy non-profit that will pair you with a local mentor who will often be a retired businessperson who volunteers their time to help people like you.

Finally, just talk to people who run businesses and pick their brains!

Tip #5: Choose a name for your business

Your business will certainly need a name, so think carefully about this. The name of your company will be on your website, social media platforms, business cards, letterhead, checks, credit cards, etc. It also

Tip #6: Create a structure

An important part of your business startup is creating a business structure. This is an important decision in the process. Your business will generally be an LLC, S-Corp, J-Corp, or sole proprietorship. Seek out advice from legal counsel, your local SCORE office, or other reliable sources.

Tip #7: Set up your finances

Once you’ve decided on a structure, you’ll probably want and need to separate your personal and business finances. In my own experience, this was simple: after forming my LLC, I went to my favorite local credit union where I do my banking and I opened a business checking account, a business savings account, and applied for a business credit card. For my own peace of mind, I keep track of transfers I make between my personal and business accounts, but you should definitely check with your accountant or bookkeeper about what data they would like you to make note of.

Let’s make money, nurses!

Tip #8: Create your web presence

Every business needs a web presence, even if that business is a “brick and mortar” entity. Designing and building a website isn’t rocket science, but it’s admittedly complicated. I chose to hire a web designer to build my site, and I’m happy I did. If you have the wherewithal to build your own, go for it but be sure you ask for help when you need it!

Your business will also need to be on social media — it’s just the way that 21st-century businesses operate and it’s what consumers expect. Don’t feel you have to set up an account on every platform known to humans — choose the places where it seems your target audience hangs out. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat, LinkedIn — these are the main social media sites that average Americans use regularly, so see what makes sense for you.

Tip #9: Hire reliable help

Aside from your mentors and other helpers in #4 above, you will also likely hire contractors or employees at some point in the course of running your business. I currently have a podcasting coach, a social media coordinator, a web designer, a tax preparer, and a podcast producer. In the past, I’ve also hired a graphic designer and a business coach. I actually did almost all of these things on my own at first, but quickly realized that I couldn’t do it all and needed to focus on earning money, not learning a thousand new skills all at once.

Being able to hire people takes cash flow, so having some reserves is helpful, or you may need to take out a small business loan. Or you may simply do it all until there’s enough money coming in to cover expenses.

Tip #10: Be nimble and willing to pivot

My final piece of advice is to be willing to pivot as you move along in the life of your business. In this economic climate, businesses need to be nimble — markets shift, consumers change, and your needs or goals may also evolve over time.

Nimbleness is paramount — can you be a flexible business owner ready to roll with the changes and punches?

The Nurse Keith Show is a proud member of The Health Podcast Network, one of the largest and fastest-growing collections of authoritative, high-quality podcasts taking on the tough topics in health and care with empathy, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.

I’m very privileged and grateful to announce that The Nurse Keith Show is a proud member of Ars Longa Media, a collaborative network of podcasts, media entities, musical artists, and others with an aim to add a humanistic touch to professional education, educate the public from a scientifically informed perspective, and improve lives by strategically partnering with those who share our goals to address social ills.