Looking for the ultimate support system to build the private practice you’ve always dreamed of? Business School is a comprehensive online program, designed to guide dietitians through every stage of business—whether you’re just starting out or actively growing your caseload. With business education, supportive coaching, done-for-you templates, and a community of like-minded dietitians, you’ll gain the tools, courage, and confidence to create a business that reflects your values and goals. For a limited time, you can save $500 off of the program! Learn more and join today.

This bonus podcast episode is a recording of the latest workshop that kicked off our Business School launch! The Roadmap To Start and Grow Your Dietitian Private Practice is packed with valuable insights to help you start and grow your private practice. We hope it inspires you to take up space in business!

00:01:19 - Benefits and Fears in Private Practice

Discussion on the advantages of starting a private practice, addressing common fears and doubts that dietitians face.

00:06:30 - Taking Up Space and Goals

The importance of asserting oneself as a dietitian in business, along with encouragement for participants to share their private practice goals.

00:10:37 - Stages of Business: SET UP Your Private Practice

Introduction to the stages of private practice, including a detailed checklist to prepare for opening and the mindset for success.

00:15:37 - Legal and Financial Questions

Guidance on choosing business structures, legal requirements, selecting a business name, and separating business and personal finances.

00:23:00 - Insurance and Client Rates

Pros and cons of accepting insurance in private practice and how to determine your hourly rate for clients.

00:26:10 - Client Onboarding and Overcoming Nerves

Creating initial assessment forms and onboarding processes, while addressing the normal nervousness associated with the first client.

00:32:15 - Marketing and Networking Strategies

Strategies for presenting your practice, identifying referral sources, and crafting an effective elevator pitch.

00:36:49 - Selling Services and Client Experience

Reframing the sales process as matchmaking, discussing the importance of customer experience, and ongoing counseling skills development.

00:41:20 - Transitioning to the GROW Stage of Business

Introduction to the growth stage of business, including organizing finances, streamlining systems, and utilizing AI tools.

00:45:11 - Email Marketing and Community Ideas

Setting up email marketing strategies and networking within the local community to gain referrals and create content.

00:48:45 - Brand Development and Lead Attraction

Understanding the importance of branding, generating leads, and thinking like a CEO to embrace business ownership.

00:54:06 - Coasting and Self-Care Strategies

Understanding the coasting stage's importance for self-care, setting boundaries, and using personality assessments for business enhancement.

00:57:38 - Celebrating Wins in Business School

The importance of recognizing achievements, followed by an overview of the business school program and its benefits.

00:59:24 - Business School Program Structure and Support

Details about the benefits of joining Business School, including accountability, coaching, community support, tools, and resources provided.

01:03:35 - Curriculum and Goals Overview

Explanation of the comprehensive curriculum, expected outcomes, and details about the special promotion for joining the program.

01:07:12 - Q&A Session and Addressing Imposter Syndrome

Transition into a Q&A session addressing participants' questions, along with a discussion on overcoming imposter syndrome.

01:10:19 - Marketing Strategies and Client Management

Tips on attracting clients during the New Year resolution period and maintaining relationships with former clients.

01:15:23 - Onboarding Clients and Outsourcing Marketing

Guidance on onboarding new clients effectively, followed by a discussion on the pros and cons of outsourcing marketing.

01:25:21 - Closing Remarks

Final thoughts and an invitation for participants to join the Business School Program!

We shared some exciting news at the workshop...

​Business School is officially open for enrollment—and for a limited time, you can join for $500 off!

This is your chance to access the support, strategy, and tools you need to build the private practice you’ve been dreaming of.

But don’t wait—this special promotion is only available until Tuesday, December 3rd!

Welcome to a bonus episode of the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! 

Applications for the next cohort of EXPAND are now open! The program begins Thursday, October 10th!

In this podcast episode, Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, answers questions about hiring and leadership in business. Topics include hiring your first team member, the interview process, the difference between employee and contractor positions, the importance of setting clear expectations and communication, and the complexities of team dynamics in private practice. This episode is full of action steps for you to embrace leadership in your business. 

00:04:30 - CEO Time and Job Descriptions

The significance of scheduling CEO time to evaluate business operations. Discussion about the different steps to create a job description for a virtual assistant based on tasks needed, outcomes, and budget.

00:09:42 - Paying Team Members

Comparison of hiring a virtual assistant versus a dietitian, focusing on roles and revenue generation. Insights on how to determine fair pay for dietitians based on expertise and business finances.

00:17:45 - Employee vs. Contractor Differences

Explains the differences between hiring W-2 employees and W-9 contractors, focusing on supervision and responsibilities.

00:21:23 - Marketing Job Positions and the Interview Process

Strategies for marketing job openings effectively to attract the right candidates for your business. Advice on conducting interviews and assessing candidates' problem-solving skills and fit for the role.

00:30:06 - Setting Expectations for Retention

The importance of setting clear expectations for team members regarding client sessions and communication, including hiring and managing team members effectively.

00:35:21 - Job Descriptions for VAs and Interviewing Candidates

Explores the necessity of having a job description when hiring a virtual assistant to ensure clarity of roles and expectations. Highlights the importance of asking the right interview questions to avoid bad hires.

00:38:54 - Addressing Performance Issues and Conflicts of Interest for Team Members Starting a Practice

Discusses strategies for addressing performance issues with associates, including setting clear goals and expectations. Explains how to manage situations when associates wish to start their own private practices.

00:46:27 - Client Retention and Building Business Assets

Emphasizes the importance of client care during transitions when associates leave, allowing clients to choose their path. Discusses the importance of creating intellectual property and business assets to sustain a practice.

00:49:19 - Pay Structures for Employees and Leadership Support

Explores different pay structures for employees in group practices, including hourly rates and fee splits. Encourages business owners to seek support and build leadership skills to create sustainable practices.

00:57:31 - Join EXPAND

More information about the EXPAND business coaching program for support in hiring and leadership. The program helps you hire your team, manage your team, and step into your CEO role as a leader. 

This program is perfect for group practice owners, and/or business owners who want to hire operations support like an administrative assistant or marketing support.   

EXPAND is a mix of the program curriculum, group calls, individual coaching sessions, and community. The program focuses on 3 foundations of your CEO Role: business, leadership, and life. 

Learn more and apply today!

This is a bonus episode of the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

This podcast episode is the replay of a live workshop all about business growth through the different stages of business. You can sign up for the replay here and receive our comprehensive workbook and a time-stamped transcript.

The workshop is all about what to do (and what NOT to do!) to build a successful business from getting set up, starting to see your first few clients, and growing until you're fully booked. And "fully booked" on your terms. See a few clients or a full caseload. When you have a private practice, you get to decide.

SET UP: You’re ready to put a date on your calendar. Open your business within 30 days and set up a strong foundation to begin to accept clients.

START: Get your first few clients with confidence. Start your sustainable side hustle and see your first few clients keep coming back.

GROW: Grow your business until you’re fully booked, but on your terms: your ideal clients, your flexible schedule, your desired profit, and within your boundaries.

SCALE: Transform your business into a scalable business. Design a CEO role that will expand your business operations, team, and impact.

COAST: Coasting makes your business stronger. Connect to your values and reject diet culture in business telling you you’re not good enough when you desire to coast.

Join Business School for our next cohort beginning Monday, June 3rd!

Business School is a comprehensive online program to help you set up your business, start to see your first few clients, and grow! 

Business School includes our educational platform, weekly connection calls with our team and other members, and a Facebook Group for accountability. This video shows you even more of what's included in our platform. 

1. Customized business education for starting and growing your business
2. Guides + templates + action steps to make your life easier
3. Workbooks to support your business planning
4. An exclusive online community to celebrate with you, vent with you, and cheer you on

We'd be honored to help you take up space as you start and grow your business.

Find Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram!

Enjoy this bonus episode of the Pursuing Private Practice podcast. We'll be back for Season 3 of the podcast sometime this winter or early 2025!

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! This is our last episode of Season 2. Season 3 will be back in 2025! In the meantime, visit our website, check out our programs, Business School and EXPAND, and make sure you're on our email list to stay tuned about upcoming events.

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and her two business best friends, Dr. Stefani Reinold and Lindsay Stenovec, as they discuss the business changes and evolving their CEO roles.

Join the conversation to hear about:

1. Business Transitions Are Inevitable: Jennifer, Stefani, and Lindsay share experiences of embracing change to their "job descriptions", team transitions, and the impact of personal and professional shifts on business decisions.
2. Factors for Business Decision-Making and Shifting Priorities: It's important to reflect on the evolving priorities and boundaries in business over time. Jennifer, Stefani, and Lindsay explore how financial security, family boundaries, and personal capacity have influenced business decisions and transitions.
3. Perception vs. Reality in Business: Being CEO is not without its challenges. Business perception has been heavily influenced by skewed online representation of business ownership.
4. Recognizing Burnout Triggers: Jennifer, Stefani, and Lindsay talk about how they recognize burnout triggers and how to take personal accountability in business.
5. Emotional Elements in Business: Navigating transitions and responsibilities as an entrepreneur can be very emotional. Gain insight into personal growth and emotional regulation in business ownership.

The key takeaway? Fully stepping into your CEO role gives you freedom and autonomy. While this is a privilege, it can also be a burden. Finding business friends to support you through your entrepreneurial journey is essential for your well-being.

Dr. Stefani Reinold is a board-certified psychiatrist, author of the book Let Your Heart Out, podcast host, military wife, and mother of 4. She is the founder of Wholehearted Psychiatry, an integrative, holistic psychiatry practice in Dripping Springs, TX. She is passionate about normalizing mental health struggles, sharing antidotes to hustle culture, and encouraging individuals to live out their unique purpose. When she is not breaking the mold for traditional psychiatrists, you can find her spreading mom life truth bombs, talking business strategy, embracing her infinite Pinterest failures, or living out her minimalist, organized life fantasies in her perfectly imperfect home in Austin, Texas.

Find Stefani on Instagram @stefanireinoldmd

Lindsay Stenovec is the owner of Nutrition Instincts, Inc – a group practice in San Diego, CA specializing in eating and feeding disorders. She enjoys offering supervision to dietitians in individual and group settings and has spent 13+ years working with people experiencing eating disorders, the intersection of disordered eating, and pregnancy/postpartum and child feeding challenges. Lindsay is passionate about supporting dietitians so that they feel grounded in their collaborative work with clients, can hold space for healing, and maintain a sustainable career. She is currently navigating a business transition in deciding to close Nutrition Instincts this summer to make space for professional supervision services, consulting projects, and speaking engagements.

Find Lindsay Stenovec on Instagram @lindsaystenovec_rd

You can also find Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram @pursuing.private.practice

Thanks for a great Season 2 and we'll be back soon for Season 3!

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Stephanie Hofhenke, the CEO of String Marketing, to discuss an update on technology as a business owner.

Episode Highlights:

1. Trends in Technology for Entrepreneurs: Stephanie goes through trends in technology, mindset shifts, and how setting up an EMR can help business owners save time, money, and energy.
2. Challenges and Benefits of Technology: Stephanie and Jennifer emphasize the importance of creating an experience for your clients to keep them coming back. There are so many benefits in setting up technology systems as a way of customer service, but it can be challenging for business owners who aren't "tech-savvy".
3. The Evolution of String Marketing with String Connect: Stephanie shares the development process of the String Connect product, emphasizing the customer-driven approach, addressing client needs, and streamlining marketing activities for practitioners.

The key takeaway? Leveraging technology to streamline your business processes can change your life as a business owner. 

If you want to grow and scale your business without sacrificing your self-care, boundaries, or integrity, apply for the next cohort of EXPAND. This business coaching program is designed to focus on your CEO role to run your business like a CEO, own your leadership like a CEO, and live your life like a CEO.

EXPAND features:

• Program Curriculum - This curriculum includes audio & video lessons, helpful worksheets for reflection and accountability, and templates to make your life much easier. We focus on the GROW & SCALE stages of business.
• Group Coaching Calls - We structure the calls in a specific order for organization and action steps. All calls will be recorded and discussed in our community for accountability.
• 1:1 Strategy Sessions - Diving deep into what your business needs to finally scale to its full potential.
• Community - Access to other amazing business owners at your level.

It's time to turn your business into an asset with a scalable offer. Apply for EXPAND today!

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

Stephanie Hofhenke is the founder of STRING Marketing, a digital agency that has focused on serving dietitians for 14 years. Stephanie and her team of experts are passionate about helping practitioners elevate their practice and master their marketing. She leads a growing team with branding, marketing, and website experience. Together they have worked with over 400 practitioners and have launched even more websites. They build websites that attract millions of unique visitors per year. She has a sincere appreciation for the work that dietitians and healthcare professionals do to impact the world. Her knowledge of the unique challenges practitioners face has been compiled into a remarkably effective toolkit that helps practitioners across the country take their business marketing challenges head-on.

Find out more about STRING Connect.

Find STRING Marketing on Instagram @stringmarketing

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice Podcast!

Join Jennifer & Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, as they define what it means to be a CEO. They share personal experiences of how their CEO roles have changed and discuss delegation, team support, and the importance of mentorship and coaching.

Join the conversation as they discuss:

1. Importance of Self-Care and Boundaries: Boundaries will evolve and change according to your passions, market, and strengths. They discuss the evolution of their CEO job descriptions and how their CEO role has changed through the different stages of business.
2. Taking Care of Your Team and Getting Support: Team members are valuable assets to any company. Jennifer and Courtney stress the need for any business owner to prioritize their own well-being while leading a team.
3. Creating Space for CEO Time: CEO Time is not what you think! It's a mix of data and intuition to make business strategy decisions for the company's vision.
4. Run Your Home Like a CEO: Running a home like a CEO means understanding the big picture of your home, creating systems, delegating tasks, and getting support for your life (just as much as your business!)

Use the exercise outlined in this podcast episode to create your ideal CEO job description! This is just one of the templates in Pursuing Private Practice's business coaching program, EXPAND. 

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Heather Rudalavage, the owner of Intuitive Nutrition, to discuss various systems in motherhood and home.

Join the conversation to learn more about:

1. The Intersection of Parenthood and Private Practice: Heather and Jennifer discuss the intersection of parenthood and private practice, and how many private practice professionals desire a flexible lifestyle to balance work and family.
2. The Importance of Running Your Home Like a CEO: Heather emphasizes the importance of running your home like a CEO with examples of systems, tips, and ways to integrate life and work for business owners at every stage of business.
3. Business Growth and Redefining Success: All business owners go through business growth, burnout, and then must redefine success on their terms. The conversation explores the different definitions of success and the factors that contribute to personal fulfillment and achievement in business: schedule, boundaries, money, impact, and flexibility are all "worth" the hard work.
4. Lessons from Parenting and Business Ownership: Heather and Jennifer discuss the lessons learned from parenting and business ownership, emphasizing the similarities in long-term commitment, adaptability, and the ongoing journey of growth and development. Heather shares personal experiences of parenting and the transition to adulthood with her children. The conversation reflects on the different stages of parenting and the impact of family dynamics on personal and professional growth.

Reflect on what systems are helpful for you in running your home like a CEO.

If you want to grow and scale your business without sacrificing your self-care, boundaries, or integrity, apply for the next cohort of EXPAND. This business coaching program is designed to focus on your CEO role to run your business like a CEO, own your leadership like a CEO, and live your life like a CEO.

EXPAND features:

• Program Curriculum - This curriculum includes audio & video lessons, helpful worksheets for reflection and accountability, and templates to make your life much easier. We focus on the GROW & SCALE stages of business.
• Group Coaching Calls - We structure the calls in a specific order for organization and action steps. All calls will be recorded and discussed in our community for accountability.
• 1:1 Strategy Sessions - Diving deep into what your business needs to finally scale to its full potential.
• Community - Access to other amazing business owners at your level.

It's time to turn your business into an asset with a scalable offer. Apply for EXPAND today!

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

Heather Rudalavage is an anti-diet, weight-neutral Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Certified Body Trust Coach in the Philadelphia area. She is the founder of Intuitive Nutrition. She has spent the last 10+ years helping women achieve their health goals with compassion, empathy, and a dash of humor! She is married to her high school sweetheart and mom to 3 teenagers. She enjoys spending time outdoors, knitting, and reading. She loves meeting new people and has traveled to 20 countries. She is currently about halfway through writing her first novel.

Find Heather on Instagram at @antidiet.heather

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Alyssa Callahan, the CEO of Nourished with Kindness, to discuss the importance of systems in group practice. They both share valuable insights and tips for implementing effective systems in business. As a business owner, learning to navigate the complexities of running a practice and being an entrepreneur is crucial for success.

Join the conversation to learn more about:

1. Navigating Insurance Systems: Taking insurance in a group practice comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in managing cash flow and dealing with insurance companies. Alyssa shares her experience of a major issue with an insurance contract and the impact it had on her practice. Despite the challenges, she highlights the value of having multiple insurance contracts to maintain stability in the business.
2. Financial and HR Systems: In addition to insurance systems, Alyssa discusses the importance of financial and HR systems in her group practice. She emphasizes the use of a reliable payroll system like Gusto for employee management and payroll processing. Having effective HR systems in place ensures smooth operations and supports the growth of the practice.
3. The Importance of Skill Building: Throughout the conversation, Alyssa emphasizes the importance of skill building in creating and managing systems. As a business owner, developing the skills to handle challenges and implement effective systems is essential for long-term success. Building a skill in system creation and management allows for better problem-solving and decision-making in the business.
4. Employee Systems and Project Management Tools: Alyssa shares her experience with Asana, a project management tool that has transformed the way her team operates. From onboarding to benefits checks, having the right systems in place has made a significant impact on the efficiency and success of her practice.
5. Marketing and Onboarding Systems: Alyssa also highlights the importance of marketing and onboarding systems in her practice. From job descriptions to the interviewing processes and onboarding procedures, having well-defined systems in place has streamlined the hiring and training process for new team members. These systems not only benefit the business but also create a positive experience for employees.

Group practice is just one example of a scalable business offer. To learn more about creating and launching a scalable business offer, apply for Pursuing Private Practice's business coaching program, EXPAND.

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

Alyssa Snow Callahan, MS, RD, CEDS-C, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist - Supervisor, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, author of The Mindful Eating Journal, and Founder / CEO of Nourished with Kindness. Alyssa specializes in eating disorders, binge eating, emotional eating, and body image in teens and adults, as well as a weight-neutral approach to treating fertility/pregnancy issues. She is also passionate about helping eating disorder and non-diet providers grow their business and clinical skills.

Find Alyssa on Instagram, @Nourishedwithkindness and her own Instagram @alyssacallahanrd

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

Join Jennifer & Jeannie Petrucci, CEO of LivingPlateRx, to hear all about Jeannie’s journey starting her private practice, pivoting her business, and the support that helped her get to where she is today. 

Join the conversation as they discuss:

• Trying New Things: Pivoting your business and trying something new can be scary, but don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Failure is just an opportunity to pivot and learn.
• Leaning on Support: The journey of developing your business is tough to do alone. Find a strong support system to help you navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes.
• Prioritizing Mental Health: Building a business can be isolating, and entrepreneurship can most definitely take a toll on mental health. Remember to find what self-care works for you, and continue to prioritize it.
• Intellectual Property & Assets: Intellectual property is valuable in your business, and it’s the foundation for scaling your business in a sustainable way. 

The journey of building a business is filled with challenges, but with the right mindset and support, it’s possible to create a business that serves YOU. We hope this inspires you to keep learning, growing, and expanding your business to take up space. 

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

Jeanne Petrucci, MS, RDN, is the CEO and Founder of Living Plate Rx. She is a Registered Dietitian with a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has participated in research with gold-standard institutions exploring the impact of evidence-based culinary nutrition education programs and tools on human nutrition-related health behaviors.

She is a busy mom of four and grandmother of 3 who has been exactly where many of you are - struggling to create all the content you need to serve your clients and grow your practice while still having energy for everyone else. Jeanne brings her experience as a private cooking instructor for more than 25 years to her second career as a dietitian content creator. She founded Living Plate Rx 5 years ago, building a meal planning platform and content library to support practitioners with all the resources they need to grow their practices without burning out.

Today’s Dietitian, the nation's leading media company for dietitians, recently acquired minority ownership in Living Plate Rx. 

Check out these resources to learn more about Living Plate Rx:

1. Your Ultimate Guide to Creating SOPs in Your Practice
2. Free Workshop: Elevate Your Practice: Create a Year of Content to Attract, Serve, and Retain Your Ideal Clients

If you want to set up your business, start to see your first few clients, and grow to create more impact, Business School is for you! This transformative program includes education, connection, support, and accountability to help you take up space and become the business owner you were meant to be.

Expand your business beyond 1:1 work without sacrificing your self-care, boundaries, or integrity. Learn more about EXPAND, our business coaching program.  

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice Podcast!

Join Jennifer & Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, as they discuss the importance of implementing effective systems in business. They share how systems have revolutionized their business operations and leadership roles.  

Join the conversation as they discuss:

1. Rest & Reflection in Business: Many professionals who pursue a career in private practice face burnout at some point. It’s important to take a step back to avoid burnout. Systems are essential for being able to COAST in business to maintain long-term success. 

2. The Evolution of Systems in Pursuing Private Practice: Pursuing Private Practice began with no systems in place. Now, we use project management tools such as Trello and Asana to leverage systems to meet our overarching business goals. 

3. Adjusting for Different Learning Styles: Individuals on your team might have different learning styles. Being able to accommodate various learning styles to ensure effective communication and seamless execution is game-changing. 

4. The Impact of Systems on Business Growth: When you have systems in place that align with your business goals and meet your team’s communication needs, business growth can start to happen. 

5. Leveraging Visual & Auditory Communication: People learn differently, and using different visual and auditory systems can be extremely effective. Some people like things typed out, some learn best from videos, and others just need to hear it out loud. 

We hope this encourages you to ask yourself, “How are the systems I have in place allowing me to take up space in business?” and “How can I make them better?” Systems can help you become the business owner you were meant to be. 

Connect with Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram.

If you want to set up your business, start to see your first few clients, and grow to create more impact, Business School is for you! This transformative program includes education, connection, support, and accountability to help you take up space and become the business owner you were meant to be.

Expand your business beyond 1:1 work without sacrificing your self-care, boundaries, or integrity. Learn more about EXPAND, our business coaching program.