I feel my strengths are my people skills, as well as my (limited) understanding of the healthcare system. I have interacted with people from all walks of life. I may get called to a multi-million dollar mansion, and the next call may take me to a tent in the middle of the woods for a “frequent flyer.” I pride myself on being able to connect with…[Read more]

Good point, Marilyn. Size is definitely important! Given that I’m only 42, I actually hope to grow my business to the point that I can eventually hire one or two other individuals with health issues for part-time work to help give them income to stave off SSI disability or supplement it. And if it works out well, I would hope to sell my employees…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing, Tiffany!

I am so sorry to hear that you lost your spouse. I am sure that your spouse and your father received better care with your advocacy by their side. Effective communication is key to being able to respectfully speak up to enhance care when it is needed.

You’re absolutely right, it is scary to consider not having a…[Read more]

My strengths are the fact that I have advocacy experience and have had to learn effective communication while “bucking the system” so to speak in order to navigate the best treatment for my father and deceased spouse. Both of which experiences pushed me to want to be an independent patient advocate. I think working for years in healthcare will…[Read more]

I am so happy to hear this lesson provided you with so much value!

You will find that by the end of the course, you will have basically written a business plan! Doing it in this way, step by step makes it a much more manageable task.

I am sorry to hear that you had to close your 25 year business, how tragic! I can only imagine the heartbreak…[Read more]

Thank you for your introduction, April, welcome!

Your healthcare experiences will really help you moving forward in your practice. I am sure your work at a children’s hospital is very rewarding! As we move through the course, we will learn about choosing a niche but even then, it won’t be set in stone of course.

I look forward to learning more…[Read more]

Rebecca, thank you for sharing!

Your personal history will really help you in your advocacy practice! I am sure you will be able to forge some strong and impactful relationships to help others. As far as marketing and business, you are in the right place as each week we will chip away at more and more information to make that soon to be a…[Read more]

How wonderful to have the awareness to understand how marketing has changed over the years to incorporate social media! It is great that you have all of your past experiences to draw from as you venture into this “new era” of marketing for yourself.

I am glad that you mentioned the question around how big you want your business to be. That is…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth!

I completely understand what you are saying about wanting to build meaningful relationships. Networking does often feel like quick exchanges but sigh… it is something we must do 😉 I too would prefer to avoid superficial conversations and there may not be a way around them all together but I have had many…[Read more]

My greatest strengths are my personal history of advocacy, both for myself and for other people, and the ability that has given me to work with and connect with other people.

My weaknesses also definitely lie in the area of marketing and business skills. But I hope to grow those areas throughout the duration of this course!

Hi:

I both built a successful business and worked in it clinically for 25 years. I had a 4 month wait list at all times, so others thought my business was quite successful.

My greatest strength is marketing, which I learned during my first career as Director of Corporate Communications for an international consulting firm. A lot has changed…[Read more]

Hi Rebecca,

It’s really nice to meet you! I’m so sorry to hear about everything you’ve gone through with your own health, it takes a lot of strength to turn those experiences into a way to help others. Your background in public health and patient care, combined with the advocacy you’ve done for family and friends, gives you such a powerfu…[Read more]

Hi Stephanie,

I received the introductory email and have started the course eagerly. I am looking forward to this and beginning my journey as a professional patient advocate.

Blessings,
Audrey K.