Beyond the NHS: My Journey as a Nurse Entrepreneur (Month 2)

A month has passed since my last update in September, and I'm buzzing with excitement for what's next. I've got some big news: I'm teaming up with 70 other passionate folks on a project with ZINC. Together, we're searching for new ways to protect our health from environmental challenges. This Zinc venture is all about making a positive impact on big societal issues. What's even more special? We'll be drawing from each other's strengths and experiences to bring these ideas to life. And yes, I keep pinching myself when I think of the expert advice and support we're getting from the top folks at Zinc. As a Hintsa Performance Coach myself, I know how powerful coaching can be. I can't wait to dive in.

If you're in the healthcare field, you might have heard about Zinc's new Innovation Fellowships in Health and Care. They're joining hands with organizations like NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and The Dunhill Medical Trust to make it happen. It's a chance for healthcare professionals and researchers to learn how to kickstart their own businesses. Big congrats to the first set of fellows, especially Sofia Llahana at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It's awesome to see nurses leading the charge. And hey, if you're curious about the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, join us on the 10th October to hear some first-hand experiences. Over at The iCrowd CIC, we're also doing our bit by supporting five nurses with their applications.

On a not-so-great note, The iCrowd CIC didn't get the funding we hoped for from the The National Lottery Community Fund. Their feedback made us realize we need to better communicate the impact of our projects. We thought our large survey of UK nurses and midwives on innovation would clinch it, but it seems we missed the mark. We're taking this feedback seriously and will use it to improve our future proposals. And if you've been in our shoes and learned a thing or two, we're all ears.

Recently, I had a fantastic time discussing The Six Types of Working Genius produced by the infamous The Table Group at the BIPC Oxfordshire. It's a great tool that helps people find their happy place at work. What's not to love?

The Sited Summit Conference was another highlight. I met so many inspiring folks, like Huw Penson , Jeremy Mei, Eleanor Griffin, and especially Dr. Hannah Forbes ⚡️. Her advice on how to make the most of our time with Zinc was priceless. The conference had some really thought-provoking sessions, discussing the future of healthcare and how start-ups can make a difference. Some big takeaways:

• We are still talking about the need to level the playing field for female founders when it comes to funding. Despite the talk this is still a reality for many female founders.

• Taking time to build strong, supportive communities can help to attract investment.

• Our focus should remain on solving problems with technology, not just getting caught up in the tech itself. Is the label of femtech really helping?

• We need to break down the silos between sectors like health and climate to find new opportunities.

All that said we have launched a new community at Evinco Health. Our goal? To provide support for those undergoing bariatric surgery and a lifetime support following surgery. We're all about building a caring community, so if you know anyone who could benefit, point them our way! We're also keen to co-design services with our community. Dive into our world at www.evincohealth.com, or drop us an email at info@evincohealth.com.

A personal update: I've been doing some preparation as I gear up for the Zinc bootcamp. As a coach, I know the value of daily habits, especially when stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm finding ways to incorporate things I love, like spending time outdoors and staying active, into my new routine. It's a bit of an experiment, and I'm keen to see how it goes. I'm also looking forward to getting to know my fellow Zinc participants better, maybe on a nature walk or two.

Stay tuned for my next update – I'll be deep into the bootcamp and ready to share my experiences as an introvert navigating this new adventure.