Are You Ready For Private Practice?
If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you are starting a private practice, but not sure if you’re ready to start NOW.
This feeling is absolutely normal, and imposter syndrome is real when it comes to starting a business. In fact, we have a whole blog post about imposter syndrome!
You’re probably never going to feel ready to start a business. I love to say “You’re going to DECIDE to start before you’re ready.”
In today’s blog, we’re going to be going over questions to ask yourself, shifting your mindset, benefits of private practice, pros and cons, and so much more.
Make sure to download The Ultimate Checklist To Start Your Private Practice. This resource is for beginners who want to know the steps to take to start a business!
Questions to Ask Yourself to See if You’re Ready for Starting a Private Practice
Starting a private practice can be so rewarding. However, for many people, it can feel intimidating. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own!
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide to start your private practice.
- What are my motivators? Understanding your motivators will help you understand your motivations and help clarify your goals and intentions with your business.
- Do I have a support network? Building a support network of mentors, colleagues, and business friends can make all the difference when you’re getting started. That’s exactly why we built Business School – to provide a community of professionals who just ‘get it’. We include education, connection, support, and accountability to help you take up space and become the business owner you were meant to be.
- Am I comfortable with doing things differently? Starting a business means you will step out of your comfort zone. You will experience challenges (and celebrations!) that are new to you. If you have the motivation, there is always a way. I love the quote, “Everything is figure out-able”.
These questions can help you understand how you’re feeling about starting a private practice, and if you have the support you need.
Shift Your Mindset for Success
One of the biggest indicators of whether or not you’re ready to start a private practice is your mindset. And the good news is, you have the power to shift your mindset for success. You can recognize automatic negative thoughts and challenge them with mindset shifts.
Go through the following exercises to reflect and see where your mindset is at.
- The Decision: Why do you want to start a business? Reflect on your “why” and how this decision will serve you.
- Your Story Matters: Your work experience as a professional has led you to this moment of declaring that you’re going to be your own boss. How has your story influenced your decision to become a business owner?
- Challenge Imposter Syndrome: Of course, you feel like an imposter right now! You’ve never started a business and everything is new. Reflect on times in your life when you’ve done hard things and overcome imposter thoughts.
Mindset makes a difference. You are worthy
- … of making a difference
- … of making money
- … of taking care of yourself
- … of being resilient
- … of taking up space
Inspiration to get started
Building a private practice isn’t easy. Starting a business is scary. But in my opinion, private practice is worth it because anything worth doing will probably be some level of “hard”.
There have been 4 times in my own life that I have gotten through specific hard challenges and a 5th “general” challenge that I want to note.
- Eating disorder recovery in my early 20’s
- Starting my private practice in 2011
- Parenthood (something I consider ongoing as my kids grow up!) I had my 3 kids at 30, 33, and 37 years old
- Postpartum depression with my 3rd child a few years ago
- Changing boundaries: with business, family, friends, health, stress, mental health, support, and so much more.
Each time I faced a challenge, I had different choices in front of me. Be comfortable and “stay the same”, or choose to be uncomfortable and actively do something different to get a different result. Sometimes this “different thing” worked out, and sometimes it didn’t. Sometimes business (and life!) is a series of experiments to see what works for you. And eventually, you figure it out.
Benefits of Starting a Private Practice
If you’re reading this blog, you probably know there are many benefits of starting a private practice. Here’s a list of our favorites:
- You get to create impact in an authentic way
- You’re in control of your career
- You get to pick the clients you want to work with
- You have flexibility over your own schedule
- You feel rewarded for hard work
- You can get paid WELL for the work you do
- You get to have big goals and dreams for your business
Your experience in private practice will be unique and individualized. You might enjoy one aspect of private practice that someone else hates… and that’s the beauty of it! You can make it what you want.
The Pros of Starting a Private Practice
Starting a private practice can be uncomfortable, but so worth it. Today, I’m sharing 3 pros of starting a private practice.
- Flexible scheduling: Private practice is not a “9-5”. You have autonomy over your client load, control over project timelines, and the ability to work when you want to work (within reason).
- Make an impact with ideal clients for YOU: You need to find your ideal clients and nurture them! Where are they looking for solutions? How much money are they spending already? Your clients are out there.
- More money: Many private practice dietitians can make over $100,000/year. You can get paid more by the hour, increase your rates on your terms, and take advantage of tax strategies for business owners.
The Cons of Starting a Private Practice
As you can see, there are many pros of private practice. However, it’s not “easy” and there are some things to consider.
- More stress: Owning a business isn’t for everyone. It’s hard to be “off” at times, burnout is common, and you have the responsibility of being “in charge” of all aspects of business.
- More uncertainty: Business is full of putting out “fires”! Clients cancel, the market changes, and there are pros and cons with insurance.
- More visibility: You have to be comfortable with having an opinion! Additionally, it’s important to consider if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, and what you want your day-to-day business day to look like.
The Takeaway – Starting a Private Practice: Are You Ready?
After reading today’s blog, we hope you’re feeling inspired and motivated to start your private practice! The benefits are endless, some of our favorites include:
- You have flexibility over your own schedule
- You feel rewarded for hard work
- You can get paid WELL for the work you do
Remember, you will start before you’re ready when you decide you’re ready (not when you “feel” ready!)
Want to work with me to build your private practice?
Business School is a comprehensive 6-month program designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you’re fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you’ll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You’ll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you’re supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply!
