Mistakes to Avoid When Leaving Healthcare to Start a Business

You don’t have to figure it all out at once. The first step is listening.

Did you know that 1 in 5 new businesses fail within the first year?

And for medical professionals transitioning out of the healthcare system, those numbers can feel even more daunting because we’re entering a world for which we weren’t trained.

You’ve spent your career holding others through crisis, advocating for patients, and carrying an emotional load most people can’t imagine. Now, you’re ready to build something for yourself. A business rooted in purpose, freedom, and alignment.

Here’s the truth: Starting a business is not the hard part. Starting it without a plan is.

And that’s where many healthcare professionals stumble, not from a lack of heart or ability, but from trying to do everything at once without a roadmap.

Let’s change that together.

I created a podcast series designed to support you in taking your very first step. Not with pressure or perfection, with clarity and compassion.

More on that at the end, but first, let’s talk about what to avoid as you step into this next chapter.

1. Skipping Market Research

Your service may be deeply needed, but that doesn’t mean your ideal clients know how to ask for it, or are ready to buy. And no, “If I build it, they will come” doesn’t work here.

Many new entrepreneurs assume their clinical results will automatically translate into business success. Business requires listening to a different language from your audience.

Ask yourself:

• What are they typing into Google late at night?
• What symptoms are they frustrated by right now?
• What outcome are they willing to invest in?

You don’t need a website or funnel to figure this out. Just pause and listen. That’s your first step.

2. Flying Blind Without a Business Plan

Business plans don’t need to be 40 pages long. They do need to exist.

Without one, you’ll end up hustling in circles. I see it all the time: smart, compassionate people with excellent skills burning out all over again… just this time in their own business.

Would you treat a patient without a chart or care plan? Your business deserves the same level of intention.

Start with:

• What problem do I solve?
• Who is this for?
• What’s my income goal, and how do I meet it?

You don’t have to map out the next five years.

Just take one step, start by understanding what is a priority right now. That’s what this podcast series is all about.

3. Avoiding the Money

This one hits close to home. We weren’t trained to discuss money; we were taught to serve.

Here’s what I remind every client:

Your business can be soul-led and profitable. Your income does not define your worth. It does impact your sustainability.

Avoiding your numbers is a fast track to frustration. I want you to feel empowered around your income, not avoidant.

You can start small:

• Track what’s coming in.
• Know what your monthly needs are.
• Decide what “enough” means to you.

You don’t need an MBA. You need awareness.

Start by listening to how I track metrics in a way that feels intuitive and aligned, it’s all in the new podcast series.

When I Finally Stopped Trying to Do It All at Once

What changed everything for me wasn’t a fancy certification or a perfect funnel. It was about learning to approach my business with the same clarity, compassion, and care that I bring to my work in the PACU.

I stopped trying to do it all and focused on doing the next thing that was aligned. That’s how I created the Vision to Action Method and how I teach clients to build businesses that sustain them.

It doesn’t have to be rushed. It has to be aligned.

Ready to Begin? You Don’t Have to Do It All. Just Start Here:

If you’re in that foggy in-between space and wondering how to begin or what you might be missing, start with a breath. And then start with listening.

I created a podcast series just for this season of transition: “Embracing Metrics: Using Numbers to Grow Your Business.” It’s not about spreadsheets and stress. It’s about learning to trust your direction and make aligned decisions with clarity.

Join the Podcast Listener Insiders and get early access to each episode, behind-the-scenes insights, and a say in what we talk about next.

You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what to track, how to plan, and where to focus next.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just take the first step, and that step can be as simple as listening.

Join Podcast Listener Insiders