In this special "snack episode" of the Thriving Practice Podcast, our Manager of Operations and PR, Miranda Dorta, turns the mic around to interview Tracy Cherpeski, examining the reality of healthcare practice leadership. This candid, unscripted conversation explores how practice owners can achieve sustainable growth without sacrificing personal well-being. Tracy shares her evidence-based approaches to sustainability, effective boundary setting, and the systems that support healthcare practice owners, offering valuable insights on achieving harmony between professional demands and personal needs.

"Well-being is really the entire picture of the human being's health—physical, spiritual, and mental—as well as the business."

"I just don't believe in balance... Most of us spend more of our waking hours working than we do being home. So right away we're out of balance. So are we in harmony with what we want out of life and the business that we want?"

"The most important piece of the puzzle is to slow down... It's really important to slow down so that we can get really clear. And this is the key to everything—crystal clarity."

"Physicians in particular are trained like never to let anybody see them sweat... It takes a while to sort of crack that facade and allow their real deep humanity to come out."

"When we put it back on them to look at themselves and to trust themselves, it changes the responsibility... They double down then on the responsibility to ensure that their team has what they need so that they can take their hands off of it."

"Most of the time, the desire to control ends up being the Achilles heel... when they recognize that it's probably the cause of a lot of their challenges and energy drains, it becomes a little bit easier to let go."

Miranda’s Bio:

Miranda Dorta, B.F.A. (she/her/hers) is the Manager of Operations and PR at Tracy Cherpeski International. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with expertise in writing and creative storytelling, Miranda brings her skills in operations, public relations, and communication strategies to the Thriving Practice community. Based in the City of Oaks, she joined the team in 2021 and has been instrumental in streamlining operations while managing the company's public presence since 2022.

Tracy’s Bio:

Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC (she/her/hers) is the Founder of Tracy Cherpeski International and Thriving Practice Community. As a Business Consultant and Executive Coach, Tracy helps healthcare practice owners scale their businesses without sacrificing wellbeing. Through strategic planning, leadership development, and mindset mastery, she empowers clients to reclaim their time and reach their potential. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Tracy serves clients worldwide and is the Executive Producer and Host of the Thriving Practice podcast. Her guiding philosophy: Survival is not enough; life is meant to be celebrated.

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In this episode of the Thriving Practice Podcast, host Tracy Cherpeski interviews Joanna Sapir, a business strategist who specializes in helping wellness practitioners build thriving practices without burning out. Airing during Stress Awareness Month, this conversation explores Joanna's revolutionary approach of "stop selling sessions, start creating programs" that helps practitioners create more predictable business models while delivering better outcomes for clients. Drawing from her own burnout experience as a practice owner, Joanna shares practical strategies for designing effective programs and treatment plans that benefit both practitioners and their clients.

Joanna shares two detailed program models:

"Stop selling sessions and start creating programs and treatment plans." - Joanna Sapir

"When you have the systems and structures in place, you get to just show up and do your best work with the client." - Joanna Sapir

"If you don't have a business that's making money that's sustaining you sufficiently, you have an incredibly expensive hobby." - Tracy Cherpeski

"It's not necessarily about there being some people who are committed and some who aren't. It's actually about the boundaries you put in place, the guardrails that keep people in the lane." - Joanna Sapir

"You can have a beautifully authentic, meaningful, connected sales process that enrolls your patients or your clients in these programs... it's a win-win-win all around." - Joanna Sapir

Bio:

Joanna Sapir is a business strategist who helps wellness practitioners build thriving practices without burning out. Joanna specializes in helping practitioners move from the unpredictable cycle of selling individual sessions to creating comprehensive programs and treatment plans that provide better client outcomes while creating sustainable, predictable income. Her clients include acupuncturists, bodyworkers, movement specialists, and practitioners who combine multiple healing modalities.

Through her work, Joanna helps wellness professionals properly price and package their services, develop steady predictable income, clarify their unique vision and voice, and create systems that allow their businesses to run smoothly without constant hands-on management. Her ultimate goal is to help practitioners create the freedom and fulfillment that attracted them to healing work in the first place, while building businesses that truly support their desired lifestyle.

Based in Central Mexico (as of this recording), Joanna continues to expand her impact by helping practitioners worldwide transform their approach to business and client care.

Find Joanna:

Website

Link to free resource https://joannasapir.com/lp/systems/

LinkedIn

Facebook

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In this special solo episode for Stress Awareness Month, host Tracy Cherpeski shares insights from the Sonoma-Mendocino Lake County Healthcare Expo and Conference on physician wellness and burnout. Drawing from her 15+ years of consulting experience with healthcare practices, Tracy discusses how the unique challenges faced by independent practitioners affect both personal wellbeing and business success.

Tracy's coaching approach for practice owners includes:

"In healthcare, your most important business asset isn't your equipment, your location, or even your patient list—it's you. And when you're operating from a place of chronic stress, every business metric eventually suffers."

"Addressing practitioner stress isn't just a wellness nicety—it's a business imperative with measurable ROI. When practice owners invest in their wellbeing, they're making one of the most significant business investments possible."

"We take the approach of building one's business around the life they want to live, not the other way around."

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In this essential episode, we dive deep into the Profit First methodology and its game-changing impact on medical practices. Susanne Mariga, fractional CFO and co-author of "Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises," shares how implementing a simple five-bank-account system can create intentional profitability while improving patient care. This conversation addresses the critical gap in business education for medical professionals and offers practical solutions for building sustainable, profitable practices.

Key Points:

Resource Highlight: "Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises" by Susanne Mariga and Mike Michalowicz

Susanne’s Bio:

Susanne Mariga is a CPA and Fractional CFO specializing in high net worth tax strategies for 7 and 8 figure entrepreneurs using the Profit First System. 

Susanne is the CEO of The Mariga Group which is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business, the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm Of The Year, and a recipient of the 2011 Houston Minority Supplier Development E-10 Award.  Susanne has been featured in the Houston Business Journal, MBE Magazine, and in a variety of other media outlets. She is the author of Kirkus reviewed and Publisher’s Weekly’s Editor’s Pick, Profit First For Minority Business Enterprises which was written in collaboration with Mike Michalowicz, under the Profit First brand. She is the host of the Profit Talk Podcast.  

Before founding her own firm, Susanne worked at Arthur Andersen LLP, as well as one of the Big 4 firms, KPMG.  Combining her industry knowledge with her own experience of growing a small business has allowed Susanne to help her clients design unique, profit-first based business plans that ensure success and long-term financial stability.

As a Certified Profit First Professional (PFP) at the Mastery Level, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs maximize their revenue, grow their business, and save dollars through sound tax strategies.  

Find Susanne:

Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises

Company Website

LinkedIn

Susanne’s Website

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In this special "snack episode" of the Thriving Practice Podcast, Miranda Dorta turns the tables and interviews Tracy Cherpeski about the human side of group leadership. This candid, unscripted conversation explores Tracy's insights on facilitation, psychological safety, and the subtle dynamics that shape group interactions. Tracy shares personal stories and practical wisdom gained from years of experience working with healthcare providers and corporate clients.

"Don't be afraid to pause the agenda in order to really understand the people that are your audience."

"I think it's really important to come in as a facilitator with the intention of creating the least restrictive learning environment. If we're here to learn, then we need to set the tone for the learning."

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In this episode, we dive into the world of financial clarity and confidence with Virtual CFO Danielle Hendon. From her unexpected journey from opera singer to CPA, to her mission of transforming business owners' relationship with their numbers, Danielle shares valuable insights about what it really means to be in command (not just in control) of your business finances.

Key Episode Highlights:

- What a fractional CFO does and why it matters for practice owners

- The critical difference between being "in control" vs "in command" of your business

- Why understanding your numbers is about more than just tracking expenses

- How to move from financial anxiety to confidence in your decision-making

- Common challenges highly credentialed professionals face when running a business

- The importance of having data-backed decisions for business growth

- Simple ways to start understanding the story your numbers are telling

- Why splitting up your revenue streams can transform your financial clarity

- How proper financial support can help prevent burnout

Memorable Quote:

"Your time is going to make you so much more money in your zone of genius than trying to figure this piece out."

Key Takeaway:

A budget isn't meant to restrict you - it's a roadmap that guides you toward your business goals. Understanding your numbers doesn't mean giving up control; it means gaining the confidence to make better decisions for your practice's future.

Danielle’s Bio:

Here's a concise professional bio:

Danielle is a CPA and Virtual CFO who helps small business owners maximize their profits and personal income. With over a decade of corporate finance experience, she founded 4 Corners CFO after witnessing firsthand how financial expertise could make or break a business. She translates complex financial concepts into actionable strategies, enabling entrepreneurs to make data-driven decisions, establish sustainable growth, and pay themselves appropriately.

Through her Breakthrough, Focused, and Comprehensive CFO services, she provides scalable financial guidance - from foundational support for emerging six-figure businesses to full-service accounting and strategic planning for established entrepreneurs. Her mission is helping business owners move from burnout to abundance by understanding and intentionally growing their profits.

Find Danielle:

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LinkedIn

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In this special "snack episode" of the Thriving Practice podcast, host Miranda Dorta interviews Tracy Cherpeski about her journey in building a mission-driven company. Tracy shares her unexpected path into coaching, beginning as a necessity during a major life transition with young children, and evolving into a focused healthcare provider coaching practice. The conversation reveals how her initial desire for career flexibility transformed into a larger vision of creating systemic change in healthcare, while offering insights into leading a mission-driven organization.

Key Points:

Notable Quote: "Self disclosure - if you ever want to learn what you're really made of, start a business." - Tracy Cherpeski

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Many healthcare providers are excellent clinicians but weren't trained in business fundamentals. In this episode, physical therapy practice consultant Michael Silva shares insights from his journey from frustrated employee to successful practice owner to helping others build sustainable private practices. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Michael emphasizes how exceptional patient experience and solid business systems create practices worth preserving.

Key Takeaways:

- Why focusing on hospitality over basic customer service creates lasting patient relationships

- The importance of standardized systems and processes for sustainable growth

- How to build a practice that's sellable versus one dependent on the owner

- Creative exit strategies that keep private practices private

- Practical tips for creating positive patient experiences, including the 10/5 rule for patient greetings

- Why word-of-mouth marketing through exceptional service beats paid advertising

- The value of investing in experienced business guidance early in practice development

Notable Quotes:

"Business is business. Your clinical way of doing things can be what sets you apart, but if you don't have systems, you're not going to have an efficient business." 

"Everyone walks into our office with a 'help me' sign on their head - you're here for them."

Michael’s Bio:

Michael Silva is a healthcare business consultant and founder of the RUNstrong® program, leveraging over 25 years of physical therapy and practice management experience. After building FOUNDATIONperformance Sports Medicine from a basement office to a three-location practice with 24 employees, he successfully sold to Performance Physical Therapy (now Highbar) in 2021. 

Drawing from his experience as both practice owner and acquirer, Michael now helps healthcare providers across North America build, grow, and exit their practices successfully. He's a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from running injuries and rehabilitation to creating ideal client experiences in private practice.

Find Michael:

Michael’s Website

Company Website

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In this episode, we sit down with Lizette Peña, CPA and fractional CFO at Ascent CFO Solutions, to explore how fractional CFO services can help healthcare practices thrive. With over 30 years of experience, Lizette shares valuable insights on managing the business side of medicine while keeping focus on patient care.

Key Discussion Points:

Key Takeaways:

Important Metrics to Track:

Lizette’s Bio:

Lizette Peña, CPA (she/her) brings over three decades of finance and accounting expertise to her role as a Fractional CFO at Ascent CFO Solutions. Based in Colorado, she partners with mission-driven healthcare organizations to optimize their financial strategies and growth. Driven by her belief in business as a force for good, Lizette serves on the Board of Directors for Kachuwa Impact Fund and advises Intercambio Uniting Communities, combining her financial acumen with her commitment to positive social impact.

Find Lizette:

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Did you know that the moment you opened your practice, you became a CEO? It's true - yet no one ever prepares healthcare providers for this crucial role. In this episode, Tracy explores the powerful mindset shift that occurs when practitioners embrace their identity not just as skilled healthcare providers, but as chief executives of thriving healthcare businesses.

Through real stories from practice owners and practical insights from business research, discover how thinking like a CEO can transform both your practice and your relationship with it. Learn why this mindset shift isn't just about better operations today - it's about building lasting value for tomorrow.

Download our Practice Owner Energy Audit to identify where your time and energy are going now, and where you might need to make adjustments as you step into your CEO role.

Join us in the Thriving Practice Community, a new global network for ambitious healthcare practice owners who want to elevate their leadership and business mastery. Learn more at ThrivingPracticeCommunity.com about becoming a founding member of this vibrant community.

Tracy’s Bio:

Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC, is a business consultant and executive coach specializing in healthcare practice leadership. With a background in operations and a passion for growth, she helps practice owners optimize their businesses while mastering leadership and mindset. Through her coaching and consulting programs, Tracy empowers healthcare leaders to build exceptional practices without sacrifice. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, she's committed to helping practices thrive.

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