What is the Voice Stopping you From Starting Your Nurse Owned Business?
If you have a desire to start a nurse owned business, it means you can! I have no desire to be an astronaut, president or marathon runner but everything I have the desire to do, I can. Starting a nurse-owned business can be daunting, and nurses often have specific objections rooted in their background and professional experience. Here are common objections and ways to overcome each:
1. “I don’t have the business skills or knowledge.”
· Objection: Many nurses worry that they lack the business acumen needed to run a company, especially if they’ve spent most of their careers in clinical or patient care settings.
· Solution: Reassure them that business skills can be learned, just like clinical skills. Encourage them to start with small, manageable steps such as taking a business basics course or finding a mentor. Remind them that they can outsource or get help with specific areas like finance or marketing as they grow.
2. “I’m not comfortable promoting myself or selling services.”
· Objection: Nurses often prioritize patient care over self-promotion, so the idea of selling can feel uncomfortable or even in conflict with their professional identity.
· Solution: Frame marketing as education. Explain that sharing their expertise is a way to help people understand what they offer. Building relationships with potential clients doesn’t have to feel like traditional “sales”—it’s more about showing how they can help solve specific problems in healthcare.
3. “I can’t afford the startup costs.”
· Objection: The cost of starting a business, especially in healthcare, can feel overwhelming for nurses who may be unfamiliar with the financial side of entrepreneurship.
· Solution: Emphasize low-cost, high-impact ways to start small. Many nurse-owned businesses, like consulting or coaching, can begin with minimal overhead by working from home and using virtual tools. Encourage nurses to begin part-time or take on side projects to build up capital and test the market before fully committing.
4. “I don’t have enough time.”
· Objection: With busy shifts and demanding schedules, nurses may feel they lack the time to start and manage a business.
· Solution: Suggest starting as a side hustle or setting aside just a few hours per week. Reassure them that many nurse entrepreneurs began by working small, gradually building their businesses over time. This incremental approach also allows for work-life balance and manageable growth.
5. “I’m afraid of failing.”
· Objection: Nurses, particularly those used to following strict protocols and procedures, may feel apprehensive about the uncertainties and risks involved in business.
· Solution: Remind them that failure is a learning opportunity and that every business faces challenges. Encourage a growth mindset by pointing out how clinical skills like resilience, adaptability, and critical thinking are essential for entrepreneurship.
Share stories of successful nurse entrepreneurs who faced early setbacks but succeeded by persevering and learning.
6. “The healthcare industry is too regulated for small businesses.”
· Objection: The complexity of healthcare regulations can make the idea of starting a business feel overwhelming.
· Solution: Provide resources on navigating healthcare regulations and compliance. Reassure them that while the healthcare industry is highly regulated, many nurse-owned businesses operate within it successfully. Support groups, legal counsel, and educational resources tailored to healthcare entrepreneurs are available to guide them.
7. “I’m used to working within a team and not on my own.”
· Objection: Nurses often thrive in collaborative environments and may fear that working independently as a business owner will be isolating or unfamiliar.
· Solution: Encourage building a network with other nurse entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners to foster collaboration and reduce feelings of isolation. Suggest online communities, professional associations, and co-working opportunities where they can find support and camaraderie.
8. “I feel more comfortable with clinical work, not running a business.”
· Objection: Clinical roles feel more natural for many nurses, and they may doubt their ability to shift to a business mindset.
· Solution: Frame business ownership as an extension of patient advocacy and clinical work—now they can solve healthcare problems on a broader scale. Encourage them to look at their business as an extension of their clinical role, applying their skills to help more people in new ways.
Overcoming these objections is about showing nurses that their skills and dedication to patient care can translate into effective business ownership. With the right support, gradual steps, and resources, they can see that entrepreneurship is an achievable extension of their nursing career.
