Physicians Hanging a Shingle | Start a Private Medical Practice

If you’ve ever thought, “I want my own practice, but I don’t have the personality to run a business,” this episode will shift everything. In this Thursday Shift, we’re breaking down where that belief comes from, why it’s completely false, and what actually makes someone a strong practice owner. (Hint: it’s not being extroverted, loud, or “naturally business-minded.”)   You’ll learn why business ow...

Hiring for your medical office is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — and one of the hardest, because no one ever taught us how to do it. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 questions and considerations that go far beyond checking a resume. We’ll talk about how to evaluate mindset, communication, culture fit, and emotional intelligence — the things that truly determine whether someone wi...

If you feel alone in your dream of starting a private practice, this episode is for you. In this Thursday Shift, I’m talking about what it’s like to be the first in your family or your circle to pursue something big. I share my own experience as a first-generation college graduate and the first physician in my family — and what it felt like to make decisions that no one around me fully understood....

In this episode, I’m sharing the five things I did on my own planning retreat this past weekend — the same steps I recommend for any physician who’s building a private practice. I talk about the very first retreat I ever took to dream up my clinic (in Honolulu!) and why you don’t need an airplane or a beach to get clarity. You just need space to think. I break down exactly what to do during your r...

In this Thursday Shift, we’re tackling a mindset block almost every physician has when they start thinking about private practice: “I’ll figure out the business plan later.” Today, I’m walking you through why this belief keeps you stuck — and why your business plan isn’t just paperwork. It’s clarity. It’s protection. It’s your first real act of ownership. Inside the episode, we cover: What You’ll...

One of the biggest mistakes new practice owners make is believing that marketing starts on opening day. It doesn’t. It starts long before you ever turn in your resignation. In this episode, I’m sharing how to ethically and legally build a warm audience before you open your clinic — even if you’re still employed and under a non-compete. You’ll learn why creating a social media presence early is the...

If the thought of running a practice makes you think, “I don’t want to be responsible for everything,” you’re not alone. In this Thursday Shift, we’re reframing what responsibility actually means in private practice — and why ownership doesn’t equal doing every task yourself. You’ll learn how to shift from “I have to carry it all” to “I get to design the system,” plus three practical ways to light...

Today on Physicians Hanging a Shingle, I’m joined by Dr. Latifat Akintade—gastroenterologist, founder of MoneyFitMD, and host of the MoneyFitMD podcast. Dr. Latifat has helped many physicians create healthier relationships with money, build wealth with intention, and step into financial confidence… and she brings that wisdom straight to us in this episode. If you’re a physician preparing to open y...

If you’ve ever thought, “What if I leave my job, start my own practice… and just burn out all over again?” — you’re not alone. In this Thursday Shift, we’re talking about why that fear is completely valid — and why this time can be different. You’ll learn what really causes burnout, how private practice gives you control over the system you work in, and three practical ways to protect your time an...

If your clinic feels like organized chaos, this episode is for you. In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down SOPs — Standard Operating Procedures — what they are, why every practice needs them, and how they can save you time, stress, and confusion as your clinic grows. You’ll learn what happens when you don’t have them, the different ways to structure them (checklists, flowcharts, and more), and...

When you tell people you’re thinking about starting your own practice, everyone suddenly has an opinion — and most of them aren’t encouraging. In this Thursday Shift, I’m talking about how to move forward when the people around you don’t understand your vision. You’ll learn how to filter out the noise, stay grounded in your “why,” and surround yourself with voices that remind you what’s possible....

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to start my own practice, but I’m just not confident enough to run a business,” this episode is for you. In this Thursday Shift, I’m sharing why confidence doesn’t come first — action does. You’ll learn how to build confidence as you go, how to use your existing leadership skills in a new way, and how to stop waiting to “feel ready.” You don’t need more confidence...

You built this practice — so you get to design your days. In this episode, I break down how to create a clinic schedule that works for you, your patients, and your bottom line. Whether you’re insurance-based or cash-pay, your schedule shapes everything about your practice — from your energy to your income. I share my process for “making the math math,” a concept from the Plan to Practice digital c...

Before you buy your first printer or laptop, let’s talk about the hardware that actually matters when you’re setting up your clinic. In this episode, I’m walking through the tech essentials that keep your practice running smoothly — from front desk computers to secure Wi-Fi and backup systems — and how to plan for these costs in your business plan. Because the right setup isn’t just convenience…it...

Leaving an employed position to start your own practice sounds exciting… until the fear of losing that guaranteed paycheck kicks in. In this short but powerful episode, I break down the truth about financial “security” in medicine — and help you reframe fear into freedom. You’ll learn why your paycheck isn’t as guaranteed as it seems, how to rebuild confidence in your own ability to generate incom...

Your website is your digital front door — and it should make patients feel like they already know you before they ever step inside. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what every private practice website needs — from the essentials like contact info, services, and team bios to the nice-to-haves that help your site connect with patients and build trust. I’ll tell the story of how I built my very f...

Most physicians talk about fear of failure — but few admit to the other side of it: fear of success. That quiet, unsettling thought: “What if this actually works? What if I can’t keep up? What if I let people down?” In this Thursday Shift, I’m unpacking where that fear really comes from — and how to reframe it so success feels safe. You’ll learn why physicians often expect things to fall apart (ev...

Uniforms might seem like a small detail, but they can shape your entire clinic culture. In this episode, I share how I handle uniforms in my own practice — from deciding if you even need them, to who pays, to what they should look like. What You’ll Learn: How uniforms impact team culture and patient perception When it’s appropriate for the practice to cover the cost Practical tips for ordering, re...

An employee handbook might not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most powerful tools you can create for your clinic. It sets expectations, protects you as an employer, and communicates the culture you want to build with your team. In this episode of Physicians Hanging a Shingle, we discuss: Why an employee handbook is essential from day one When to go over it with staff and how often to review i...

If you’ve ever worried, “I’m just not good at boundaries — won’t I burn out again if I start a practice?” … you’re not alone. Many physicians feel this way after years of pushing past exhaustion in employed settings. But here’s the truth: burnout often doesn’t come from caring too much or being “bad” at boundaries. It often comes from working in systems where you had no control. In this Thursday S...

Automation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to building a practice that runs smoothly without draining all of your time and energy. Whether you’re insurance-based like I am, or you’re running a cash-pay, direct care, coaching, or membership model, smart systems make all the difference. In this episode, I sit down with Drs. Sodhi and Caudill, the physician-founders of SuperDocTech , to talk about...

Do you feel guilty even thinking about leaving your current job because of the team you’d be leaving behind? You’re not alone. In this quick Thursday Shift, I’ll help you reframe that guilt, see it as a sign of your care and loyalty, and release it so you can move forward with clarity. Your growth doesn’t diminish your past team — it expands your impact. 📌 Resources: And if you want step-by-step...

One of the early important decisions you’ll make in private practice is when your clinic will be open. At first glance, it might feel like a small logistical detail — but the truth is, your hours shape your patient flow, your staff’s rhythm, and your own sustainability as a physician. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why setting your own hours is one of the biggest mindset shifts in private prac...

Marketing is one of the top reasons physicians hesitate to launch a private practice—but it doesn’t have to be scary or "salesy." In this week’s Thursday Shift, we reframe marketing as clarity and connection, not pressure or performance. You’ll learn how to show up for your patients in a way that feels aligned and discover how you can create a strategy that actually works (and feels like you). 📌...

Starting a private practice can feel like an all-consuming process — and once you’re open, the demands of running a clinic only grow. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mary Leung, a board-certified hematologist and physician coach, to talk about something every doctor needs to hear: work-life harmony. Dr. Leung shares practical strategies for how physicians can avoid burnout, set boundaries, an...