I can do anything but I can't do everything

As an entrepreneur, it’s important for me to understand every aspect of my business. I know how to answer the phone, schedule patients, turn a room over, sterilize instruments, pay bills, order supplies, post to social media—pretty much every task that keeps things running. But that doesn’t mean I should be doing all of these things myself. Playing the martyr doesn’t serve me or my business. To grow, I need to delegate tasks to people who support me in my direct care journey. By delegating, I free up mental space to focus on being the CEO. Here are some of the key people I depend on:

• Accountant: I’ve been working with my accountant for over 20 years, through every phase of my practice—starting from scratch, growth, COVID, opting out of insurance, and growing again. He’s been there to ease my anxiety when those random IRS letters show up and serves as my go-to financial expert, ensuring our finances and tax matters are handled smoothly and professionally.
• Fractional CFO: I’ve recently engaged a fractional CFO who specializes in cash-based medical practices to help me develop my money mindset. I don’t need a full-time CFO, but having his expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and long-term strategy has been invaluable. (https://everysinglebean.com/)
• Life/Business Coach: My dedicated coach keeps me on track, reminding me of my goals and encouraging me to aim high. Her background in healthcare has been instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and scale my direct-care practice.
• Fellow Direct Care Podiatrists and Specialists: Connecting with other direct care podiatrists and specialists has been invaluable. The generosity of knowledge within the direct care community is inspiring. By sharing our experiences, we improve the quality of care we offer and foster mutual growth.
• Mastermind Group: I started a mastermind group with like-minded healthcare professionals. This collaborative environment allows for fresh perspectives, motivation, accountability, and the invaluable support of a community that understands the unique challenges of healthcare.
• Virtual Assistant: To free up my time for patient care and strategic growth, I’ve hired a virtual assistant who handles many administrative tasks, such as managing faxes, phone calls, and appointment scheduling. We rarely hear the phone ring at our office.
• In-Person Medical Assistant: Having a reliable in-person medical assistant is crucial for the smooth day-to-day operations of my practice. My medical assistant has been with me for over 8 years. She rooms patients, performs laser treatments, crafts custom-molded orthotics, and collects payments at checkout.
• Facebook Groups: Actively participating in Facebook groups relevant to healthcare and podiatry has been another key part of my strategy. Engaging with peers in these communities offers valuable insights and support.

Building a successful practice has been both a personal and collective journey. Surrounding myself with professionals who complement my skills and share in the vision has been transformative. I’m proud to say that our practice hasn’t just survived—it has thrived.