Why I Started My Own Business
It was 2008 and I was a fairly new RD working at a diabetes center in NYC. I had only been a dietitian for a year or so and already felt burnt out, unfulfilled, and unmotivated. I’m not sure if it was the “job” or the “job setting” of traditional 9-5, no flexibility with days off, and feeling like I did the same thing each and every day. Whatever the reason, I knew that this traditional job was not for me.
With the support of my friends, family, and mentors, I decided to think about opening up a business. Going back and forth in my head was exhausting! Even that simple decision of saying “yes” to private practice in the future took me awhile because I was so scared!! I tried to research as much as I could to get a sense of what I had to do to open a private practice. I wasted about 2 years held back in fear. Looking back, I WISH I had done things differently.
In 2010, I finally said YES! I was ready to open up a practice. Here is where I wasted yet another year trying to figure out forms, handouts, and trying to build a website all on my own. During this year, I didn’t even think about marketing, office space, or how I was going to make connections to get clients. Again, looking back, I WISH I had done things differently.
I finally opened my doors in 2011. 3 YEARS after I knew deep down inside that I wanted to go into private practice. 3 YEARS of wasted time and energy! I figured things out along the way but made many mistakes. My #1 mistake was waiting so long to start!
Learn about the other mistakes that any make when starting a private practice… download this free guide, on the Top 10 Mistakes Professionals Make in Private Practice.
Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CDE, CEDRD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist whose mission is to help dietitians Be the Dietitian you were Meant to Be. She is an expert in the field of eating disorders and also supervises other Registered Dietitians as an iaedp approved supervisor. She is the owner of Eat With Knowledge in Nyack, NY and leads a team of dietitians who support the philosophy, “Feel fabulous about food!”
Download her FREE resource on the top 10 mistakes professionals make in private practice.
