Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Michael Hersh, Founder, and CEO of Better Physician Life Coaching, located in Chicago, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Better Physician Life coaching. I coach physicians on creating work-life balance, goal setting, reducing overwhelm, and feeling more present at home and less annoyed at work. My goal is to help physicians stop feeling trapped in medicine so that they can finally enjoy the life they worked so hard to build.
Tell us about yourself
I have always dreamed of becoming a physician. About ten years into my career, things began to change. I noticed myself feeling increasingly frustrated at work and struggling to find balance in my life. While I was home with my family, I found myself dreading work. While I was at work, I wanted to be home with my family. On a whim, I decided to see if physician coaching might have something to offer. I experienced the most incredible transformation of my life through physician coaching, and it allowed me to live the life I wanted on my terms finally. Once I experienced the impact of physician coaching, I knew I needed to help bring physician coaching to more doctors. Knowing the effects of this life-altering work pushes me to keep going every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly, my biggest accomplishment as a business owner was getting started. There were so many reasons to continue on the same trajectory and not start my own physician coaching business. I really needed to dig deep and figure out my 'why.' Once I found my why and felt fully committed to the business, everything else followed suit. It has already been an incredible journey.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Starting my own business has required me to believe in myself in ways I never thought possible. While I have experienced a number of early successes, there have been a lot of failures too. So much of entrepreneurship feels uncomfortable, with a ton of doubt looming in the background. One of the greatest lessons has been learning to see failures as learning opportunities. I don't know who said it, but a great quote is: "In business, you either get what you want, or you learn what you need." Accepting that an individual failure does not mean that I am a failure has been so vital to the success of my business, and it has helped me to find a whole new outlook on life. I also credit coaching for teaching me to lean into the discomfort of new and challenging things. Knowing that everything I want is on the other side of discomfort has made persevering through the challenges of business so much easier.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your why. It is normal to doubt yourself, your ideas, and your business. If you have a clear understanding of why you are starting, running, and growing your business, those doubts are a lot easier to move through.
- Stop hiding. People want to know you and learn about your business. Launching your own business can make you feel exposed, but if you want a successful business, you need to allow for the vulnerability. People will be drawn to you and your business when you are your most authentic self.
- Keep going. Failure is inevitable, but it doesn't mean that your business is not working. There is no clear path to success, but failures help to highlight the path. When you try something and it doesn't work the way you had hoped, use that new knowledge to pivot and redirect your business. I've heard it said: "Success is built on a pile of failures."
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.betterphysicianlife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterphysicianlife/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-md/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
