Entrepreneur Mindset-Reset with Tracy Cherpeski

Overview: Each quarter brings predictable patterns in patient behavior and practice operations, yet many healthcare providers find themselves constantly reacting instead of planning. In this snack episode, Tracy Cherpeski shares her insights on how practice owners can leverage quarterly shifts to build sustainable growth and avoid burnout. From Q1's deductible reset surge to Q4's strategic planning opportunities, Tracy offers a roadmap for thriving year-round.  Click here for full show notes  Episode Highlights:  How to prepare for Q1's patient surge and deductible reset without overwhelming your team  Why Q2 is the perfect time for mid-year assessments and what metrics actually matter  Using Q3's momentum (or downtime) strategically instead of just coasting through summer  The competitive advantage of Q4 planning over end-of-year scrambling  Understanding the "hustle and glide" mentality for sustainable practice growth  The Time Leadership Quadrant: A practical framework for triaging what needs your attention now  Memorable Quotes:  "What you track, you can manage."  "You don't want to make your adjustments in the busy time. It's the analogy of getting caught with your pants around your ankles—it's not a good time to try to run if you are bound."  "If you take some time in Q3 to plan, you'll be at least a quarter ahead of your competition."  "Embrace the hustle and glide mentality—we hustle when it's truly hustle time, and when it's not, you slow down, become more reflective, and recharge your batteries."  "The practice owners who thrive year-round know when to work on the business instead of always being in it."  If you're ready to stop riding the quarterly roller coaster and start planning for predictable success, visit thrivingpracticecommunity.com to schedule a consultation with Tracy today.  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this powerful conclusion to our three-part time leadership series, Tracy tackles one of the most repeated—and least helpful—pieces of productivity advice: "work smarter, not harder." Through the compelling story of Dr. David, an ER physician turned regenerative medicine practice owner, you'll discover why this platitude fails and what to do instead. Tracy introduces a concrete methodology for strategic work allocation that helped Dr. David redirect 15 hours per week from low-value interruptions to high-value work that only he could perform. The result? Substantial revenue growth, improved patient flow, and a more confident, self-sufficient team—all while working the same number of hours.  Click here for full show notes  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Download the Time Leadership Delegation Tool  Episode Highlights  Why "work smarter" is useless advice: It offers zero actionable guidance on how to actually work differently  The critical distinction: Time leadership isn't about getting extra free time—it's about strategic reallocation to work that only you can do  Dr. David's breakthrough: Discovering he spent 15 hours weekly on work that didn't require his expertise  The three strategic changes: Training staff for self-sufficiency, redesigning clinical schedules around highest-value work, and fixing the scheduling system  The scheduling protocol that changed everything: How offering two specific appointment options eliminated chaos and six weekly interruptions  Real results: How 12 redirected hours created substantial revenue increases and improved practice flow  The Discovery-Analysis-Action framework: Tracy's proven methodology for lasting change  Memorable Quotes  "Time leadership isn't about efficiency—it's about effectiveness. It's not about doing things faster—it's about doing the right things and ensuring the wrong things aren't on your plate at all."  "The question isn't 'how do I work smarter?' The question is 'what work should I actually be doing, and what needs to stop being on my plate?'"  "You're not getting 'extra' time. You're reclaiming strategic capacity that's currently being drained by the wrong work."  "Awareness without action is just expensive entertainment. You can understand time leadership intellectually and still be overwhelmed six months from now."  "I finally understand the difference between being busy and being effective. I'm working the same number of hours, but the work I'm doing is completely different." —Dr. David  This episode delivers the practical implementation guide you've been waiting for in the time leadership series. Whether you're a physician, dentist, or other healthcare practice owner, Tracy's methodology for strategic work allocation will help you stop playing every instrument in the orchestra and start conducting. Visit the show notes for your complimentary practice assessment strategy session and take the next step toward building the practice you envisioned.  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Download the Time Leadership Delegation Tool  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Overview: In this episode of Thriving Practice, Tracy Cherpeski tackles one of the biggest challenges healthcare practice owners face: protecting strategic thinking time in an environment where everything feels urgent. Through the compelling story of Dr. David—an ER physician who opened a regenerative medicine practice—you'll discover why your blocked strategic planning time keeps getting hijacked, and learn the exact framework for distinguishing between genuine urgency and habitual urgency. This is part two of the time leadership series, and it's essential listening for any practice owner who's ever wondered why their "do not disturb" time never actually happens.  Click here for full show notes  Download the Time Leadership Workbook  Episode Highlights:  Why healthcare practice owners are uniquely vulnerable to losing strategic thinking time  The difference between urgency in clinical care versus practice operations  Dr. David's breakthrough: discovering 15 hours per week of delegable tasks through time tracking  The three questions that help you triage your time like an ER triages patients  The ABCD prioritization framework for categorizing tasks and interruptions  How to create decision-making frameworks that eliminate recurring interruptions  Why tracking your time for just three days can reveal patterns you can't unsee  Memorable Quotes:  "Your strategic thinking time doesn't disappear because healthcare is unpredictable. It disappears because you haven't distinguished between what's genuinely urgent and what just feels urgent."  "In clinical settings, urgency often correlates with importance. But here's the trap: you've imported that same urgency response pattern into every aspect of your practice. And in the business side of healthcare, urgency rarely equals importance."  "You cannot fix what you cannot see."  "The question isn't 'is this urgent?' The question is 'is this urgent and only I can handle it right now?' That's a very different standard."  Ready to reclaim your strategic thinking time? This episode gives you the audit framework and prioritization system to start making immediate changes. Download the Time Leadership Delegation workbook and complete your three-day time audit—then join us for part three, where Tracy shows you how to turn that data into freed-up time.  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this candid snack episode, Miranda and Tracy explore the critical importance of building intentional professional community as a practice owner. Drawing from Tracy's recently updated blog post "Choosing Your Village" (originally written in 2011), they discuss why independent healthcare providers need more than clinical expertise—they need a village of people who understand the unique challenges of practice ownership.  Click here for full show notes  Episode Highlights  Why community matters more now: The impact of digital connection versus genuine human connection, and how COVID increased isolation for independent practice owners  Village vs. support network: Understanding the difference between personal support and professional community  Energy audit for relationships: How to identify which connections drain you and which ones light you up—and what to do about it  Recovery from burnout: Practical steps for practice owners running on empty, including the WHO's 12 stages of burnout  Incremental progress over perfection: Why starting small (like drinking enough water) creates sustainable change  Memorable Quotes  "I think we are more digitally connected and yet feeling more disconnected. For all humans, we're really feeling that, and COVID really increased our sense of isolation."  "I need professional friends. I need professional colleagues in my world, other business owners... other crazy people who can show you that what you're going through is common, maybe even normal."  "If I'm feeling this way with lots of people, it might be time for me to take a nap and have a snack."  "Mindful means slowing down. Sometimes literally putting my hand on my heart and just checking in."  "It's better, it's more sustainable to start with something that you know you can do. I know I can carry my water bottle around and sip on it all day."  Closing  This episode serves as a gentle reminder that practice ownership doesn't have to be a solitary journey. Whether you're evaluating your current professional relationships or looking to build new connections, the Thriving Practice community is here to support you. Visit thrivingpracticecommunity.com to learn more about working with Tracy and joining a village that truly gets it.  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this first episode of our three-part Time Leadership series, Tracy Cherpeski tackles why traditional productivity systems fail healthcare practice owners. If you've tried every time management technique only to feel more overwhelmed, this episode reveals the real problem: you've been applying employee productivity frameworks to a practice owner's reality. Tracy introduces the concept of time leadership—a strategic approach designed specifically for healthcare professionals balancing clinical excellence with business sustainability.  Click here for full show notes  Click here to download the Time Leadership Delegation Workbook  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Episode Highlights  The Time Management Trap: Why productivity systems designed for corporate employees don't work for practice owners juggling patient care and business leadership Dr. Sarah's Story: How a successful family medicine physician discovered she was efficiently managing the wrong work—and what changed when she shifted her focus  Time Management vs. Time Leadership: The critical distinction between doing things efficiently and doing the right things strategically  The Orchestra Metaphor: Why you need to conduct your practice rather than play every instrument yourself  Delegation Beyond Admin: Understanding what truly requires your clinical expertise versus what you're doing out of habit  Memorable Quotes  "You don't have a time management problem. You have a time leadership opportunity."  "Time management is about efficiency—doing things right. Time leadership is about effectiveness—doing the right things."  "Sarah wasn't managing her time poorly. She was managing the wrong work."  "Real acceptance is powerful—making peace with what you genuinely cannot change while focusing your energy on what you can. Resignation is giving up."  "The question isn't 'how do I manage all these tasks more efficiently?' The question is 'what am I conducting versus what am I trying to play myself?'"  This episode sets the foundation for a complete mindset shift around how healthcare practice owners approach their time. Tracy challenges listeners to stop blaming themselves for failed productivity systems and instead recognize that they need a framework built for their unique reality. Download the Time Leadership Delegation workbook and complete the foundation work before episode two, where we'll explore the Open Time Audit and identify exactly where your strategic thinking time is being hijacked.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this episode, Brad Pitzele shares his journey from chronic illness survivor to EWOT advocate and business owner. Facing autoimmune issues and Lyme disease that left him struggling with brain fog, pain, and 50+ symptoms, Brad discovered Exercise with Oxygen Therapy when traditional treatments failed. After building his own system and experiencing dramatic improvements, he founded 1000 Roads to make EWOT more accessible. The conversation explores the science behind EWOT, its applications for chronic illness and athletic recovery, and the business case for healthcare providers looking to integrate this therapy into their practices.  Click here for full show notes  Key Highlights:  EWOT uses concentrated oxygen during exercise to improve cellular oxygenation and reduce inflammation  Research dating to the 1960s shows benefits for everything from cancer to autoimmune conditions  Systems start at under $2,500 with quick ROI potential through session-based pricing  Minimal staff oversight required - front office staff can manage patient setup  Effective for chronic illness, athletic recovery, and general wellness applications  Pairs well with other therapies like red light therapy for enhanced benefits  Memorable Quotes: "The hardest part about selling EWOT is that it does so many great things, it's almost like not believable."  "When you do EWOT, you're not just using the red blood cells, you're actually saturating the blood plasma, which is about a thousand times thinner than a red blood cell and can get through those blockages."  "70% of the detoxification that you do in your body is actually through your lungs."  Brad's combination of personal experience and engineering background provides unique insights into both the therapeutic potential and practical implementation of EWOT, making this episode valuable for any healthcare provider exploring innovative treatment modalities.  Brad's Bio:  Brad Pitzele is the founder of One Thousand Roads and a chronic illness survivor who discovered Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) when facing severe autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, and cancer. After being unable to afford existing EWOT systems ranging from $5,000-$25,000, Brad used his engineering background to build his own system, experiencing dramatic health improvements that inspired him to launch One Thousand Roads in 2016. The company focuses on providing affordable, high-quality wellness products for people with chronic illnesses, with a mission to help one thousand people recover their health and quality of life. Eight years later, One Thousand Roads has helped thousands of customers on their wellness journeys while making EWOT more accessible through systems starting under $2,500.  Find Brad:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Healthcare providers excel at caring for others but often struggle with self-care. In this honest conversation, Tracy Cherpeski shares why the 'always on' mindset is actually counterproductive and reveals practical strategies for breaking free from energy-draining habits.  Key Highlights:  Why the word "should" creates unnecessary guilt and obligation  How your well-being directly impacts your team's performance  The danger of checking your phone first thing in the morning  Why email shouldn't be the first task of your day  The 60-day rule for creating lasting habits  Building flexibility into habit formation to avoid perfectionism pitfalls  Click here for full show notes  Memorable Quotes: "Do not should on yourself or others—that word is so laden with judgment."  "If you're not right, ain't nothing right in your business."  "When I'm stressed, I get spacey, and when I'm spacey, that means you have to work harder."  "We need to give ourselves permission to turn it off and to step away. That's really, really, really hard."  This episode offers actionable insights for healthcare providers ready to prioritize their well-being without compromising patient care. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your practice is take better care of yourself.  Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

David Herman from Web Marketing for Dentists joins us to discuss how dental practices can leverage modern marketing strategies while maintaining the human touch that builds lasting patient relationships. With over 20 years in the industry, David shares insights on why traditional marketing principles still work, how AI is enhancing rather than replacing human connections, and why understanding your specific practice goals is crucial for marketing success.  Click here for full show notes  Key Highlights:  Why Google and SEO aren't actually dead despite industry claims  How AI phone systems can double appointment bookings while reducing front desk burden  The importance of weekend hours and quick response times for new patient acquisition  Why targeting specific procedures and patient types beats generic "get more patients" approaches  The psychology behind dental patient behavior and decision-making  How to measure marketing ROI and ask better questions of your marketing team Memorable Quotes: "We thought at the beginning it was money, but it's not. They also like money, but it's definitely secondary to helping people in the way that they feel they can help people the best."  "Google Ads is mind reading for marketers. There is nothing like it... It's the only mind reading marketing service there is."  "Everything that is monotonous and boring in somebody's job, that's the first place that AI should be employed. Because AI doesn't find it monotonous or boring."  David's approach stands out because he focuses on understanding what kind of dental work each practitioner truly enjoys, then tailors marketing efforts to attract those specific cases. Rather than promising overnight results, he emphasizes sustainable growth and measurable outcomes, making him a valuable resource for practices ready to invest thoughtfully in their marketing efforts.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  David's Bio:  David is the Chief Marketing Officer for Web Marketing For Dentists. He holds a Masters in Language & Psycholinguistics from Cambridge University and spent 10 years creating ads for major companies like Procter & Gamble and General Motors before discovering his passion for dental marketing in 2004. Since then, he's worked with over 2,000 dentists across the USA, Canada, and UK, generating more than $30 million in annual production for his clients. His campaigns typically help individual dentists add $10K-100K to their monthly revenue. David leads a team of 30+ dental marketing experts based primarily in Miami, with additional team members across six continents.  Find David:  Website  Facebook  Twitter  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview: In this powerful solo episode honoring Women in Medicine Month, Tracy Cherpeski exposes a critical flaw in physician burnout research that's been hiding in plain sight. While women now represent the majority of medical students, they face burnout rates nearly 50% higher than men and remain dramatically underrepresented in practice ownership - the very model that offers the autonomy and control that could address their burnout crisis.  Click here for full show notes  Key Highlights:  Major burnout studies systematically exclude private practice owners who report the highest job satisfaction  Women physicians experience 47% burnout rates compared to 39% for men, yet only 34% own their practices  Private practice ownership has declined from 60% to 42% since 2012, eroding the practice model with highest physician satisfaction  Self-employed physicians earn 11% more and cite autonomy as their top priority  The research bias creates policies that favor large health systems while undermining diverse practice models  Memorable Quotes: "It's like studying American happiness but only surveying corporate employees while completely ignoring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Then wondering why everyone seems miserable."  "You're not just building a practice - you're modeling a different way to practice medicine. And that matters more than you might know."  "The solution to physician burnout isn't bigger health systems or more employment. It's empowering physicians to create practices that work for their lives, their values, and their wellbeing."  This episode challenges listeners to see practice ownership not just as a business model, but as a powerful wellbeing strategy that's been overlooked by mainstream medical research.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this candid snack episode, Tracy Cherpeski shares insights on developing an entrepreneurial mindset while maintaining clinical excellence. She introduces the concept of "hat switching" between clinical and business roles, explores the gardener's approach to practice growth, and provides practical strategies for expanding revenue without extending work hours.  Key Highlights  The importance of switching between "clinician" and "CEO/entrepreneur" hats  How entrepreneurial flexibility complements medical training rigidity  The gardener's approach: planting seeds and practicing detachment from outcomes  Practical revenue stream ideas including mid-level providers, supplement lines, and health coaching partnerships  Why clarity of vision serves as the foundation for sustainable practice growth  Click here for full show notes   Memorable Quotes  "If you're in your clinical mindset and you try to think like an entrepreneur, it crosses some of the lines of duty of care and things like that."  "Sometimes you got to dig through a lot of shit to be able to get to the good stuff."  "Be super, super clear about what it is that you want to achieve... but then we let go of it and we just know that we're likely to get there or maybe better."  Closing  This episode perfectly captures the dynamic between clinical excellence and business savvy that defines thriving practices. Tracy's practical wisdom offers healthcare providers a roadmap for sustainable growth without compromising their core mission of healing.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment   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.   Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this final episode of the mindful leadership series, Tracy Cherpeski explores how internal work creates expanding ripples of success. Following up with Dr. Sarah and Dr. Marcus years after their initial work, we see how their practices have become magnetic centers that naturally attract resources, talent, and opportunities. This episode reveals the five ripple zones that create sustainable competitive advantage and shows how mindful leadership becomes a powerful business strategy.  Key Highlights  How Dr. Sarah now takes three-week unplugged vacations while her team runs seamlessly  Marcus's referral systems that are "crushing it" while he focuses on strategic growth  The five ripple zones that create magnetic pull in healthcare practices  Why pushing for success creates resistance while magnetic leadership creates flow  How internal work compounds into external competitive advantages over time  Memorable Quotes  "The most profitable practices aren't just well-run businesses – they're energy centers that attract everything they need to thrive."  "When you're pushing, you're working against resistance. When you're magnetic, resources flow toward you effortlessly."  "Your mindful leadership isn't just personal development; it's business strategy."  "The question isn't whether you're capable of this level of success – the question is whether you're ready to begin."  This episode demonstrates that sustainable practice success flows from the inside out, showing how two different practitioners used the same framework to create practices that continue thriving and expanding their influence years later.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page  

This episode introduces the concept of Success Architecture—the intentional framework that allows healthcare practices to grow predictably and profitably without requiring constant reactive management. Through the compelling case study of Dr. Marcus, Tracy demonstrates how the right foundation can transform a practice from survival mode to sustainable growth, achieving remarkable results in just 90 days.  Key Highlights  Dr. Marcus increased revenue by 30% while dramatically improving profit margins in 90 days  Reclaimed 20 hours per week through strategic energy management  Achieved 10X ROI within 18 months while adding two new providers  The Four Pillars: Mental Clarity, Energy Management, Systems Thinking, and Abundance Mindset  90-day implementation strategy: Foundation Phase, Construction Phase, Integration Phase  Why most practices fail: building on "sand" instead of solid architecture  The difference between managing your practice and leading your practice  Memorable Quotes  "The difference isn't talent, market conditions, or luck—it's Success Architecture."  "Success Architecture is the difference between reacting to your practice and creating your practice."  "Clarity equals speed."  "Energy management isn't about time management—it's about impact management."  "The practices that will flourish in the next decade will be led by architects, not firefighters."  This episode provides the roadmap for building the solid foundation every successful practice needs. Whether you're feeling stuck in reactive mode or ready to scale strategically, Success Architecture offers the framework to move from chaos to predictable growth. Don't miss next week's finale where we explore how internal transformation creates powerful external impact.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Healthcare practice owners often unknowingly create internal barriers that directly impact their bottom line – not from lack of clinical skills or business knowledge, but from deeply embedded beliefs that show up as seemingly logical decisions. Through Dr. Sarah's compelling transformation story, this episode reveals how one practice owner went from working 60+ hour weeks while personally taking patient payments to achieving a 40% revenue increase and reclaiming 20 hours per week, all by dismantling a single invisible barrier.  Key Highlights:  How fear-based overhead decisions actually limit revenue capacity  The true cost of operating from a scarcity mindset disguised as quality control  Why equating personal worth with work hours creates success-limiting bottlenecks  A real case study showing 26x ROI from barrier removal  Three practical assessment questions to identify your own hidden barriers  Memorable Quotes: "Your barriers aren't protecting you; they're imprisoning you. And every day you don't address them, you're leaving money on the table and freedom off your calendar."  "Sarah thought she couldn't afford a $40,000 administrative salary, but her barrier was costing her $400,000 in lost revenue."  "They're like having a Ferrari with the emergency brake on. You've got the engine, the capability, the vision – but you're burning fuel while barely moving forward."  This episode launches a three-part series on building what Tracy calls "Success Architecture" – the mindset foundation that allows practices to scale without sacrificing sanity. Perfect for practice owners ready to stop being the emergency brake in their own success story.  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.   See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Beth Lachance has built something remarkable. As the founder and CEO of Global Medical Virtual Assistants, she's scaled her company from around 200 to over 1,350 medical virtual assistants in just three years, all while helping medical practices nationwide solve their biggest challenge: administrative overwhelm.  In this episode, Beth explains how medical virtual assistants work as an "insourcing" solution rather than outsourcing, providing practices with HIPAA-compliant professionals who have medical backgrounds and bachelor's degrees. She breaks down the cost-effectiveness of the model ($525 per week per full-time VA), how it improves patient care and staff morale, and why it's suitable for practices of any size.  Beyond the business model, Beth shares raw insights about scaling a company, including her philosophy of planning for 10x growth instead of 2x to avoid constantly rebuilding infrastructure. She discusses the importance of having the right people in the right seats, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and not getting paralyzed by over-analysis.  EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS  How medical virtual assistants create "sufficient support" rather than just basic help  The mindset shift from virtual "assistants" to virtual "professionals"  Why insourcing beats outsourcing for medical practices  Planning for 10x growth instead of 2x to build scalable infrastructure  The cost breakdown: $525/week per full-time medical VA vs. traditional hiring  How proper support systems improve patient reviews and staff retention  Why Beth moved from 200 to 1,350 team members in three years  The importance of cultural fit over high performance in hiring  How administrative burden contributes to physician burnout  MEMORABLE QUOTES  "We are not brought into a medical practice to take jobs that are already in place. We're really brought in as additional support."  "Don't look at what you look like when you double. What do you look like when you 10x? So that you're not reimagining this all over again."  "Don't be afraid to make a mistake. Trial it. If you made a mistake, you just go back to the drawing board and go at it another way."  "They're virtual professionals. They have a bachelor's degree. They are smart. They take initiative. You're minimizing what their level could potentially be when you think 'virtual assistant.'"  "This is insourcing. You are bringing additional staffing into your practice, but remotely."  "If you don't handle even the minutiae, like the little problems, you'll scale them with you."  CLOSING  Whether you're running a solo practice or managing a multi-location operation, Beth's insights remind us that growth doesn't have to come at the expense of quality care or team wellbeing. Sometimes the answer isn't working harder - it's working smarter by building the right support systems from the start.  Bio:  Beth Lachance is the founder and CEO of Global Medical Virtual Assistants, a company that provides HIPAA-compliant virtual staffing solutions to medical practices nationwide. With over 22 years of leadership experience in the surgical device, pharmaceutical, and specialty pharmacy industries, Beth combines deep healthcare knowledge with entrepreneurial expertise to solve administrative overwhelm in medical practices.  A former Division I gymnast at the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Beth has scaled GMVA from a small team to over 1,350 skilled medical virtual assistants. Her mission is to free healthcare professionals from administrative burden so they can focus on exceptional patient care while building sustainable, thriving practices.  Beth is passionate about empowering women in leadership and driving innovation in healthcare operations.  Find Beth:  Website  LinkedIn Business  Facebook  Instagram  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode 200 marks a significant milestone for the Thriving Practice Podcast, celebrating not just the achievement but the entire healthcare community that has grown alongside it. Tracy and Miranda offer an intimate look at how the podcast has evolved, what drives their content decisions, and the exciting changes coming in future episodes. This behind-the-scenes conversation reveals the heart behind the podcast and the movement it has become.  Key Highlights:  The podcast's evolution from experimental project to community movement  New content formats including association partnerships and episode series  Introduction of beta sponsorship program to expand reach and production quality  The importance of balancing 10,000-foot strategic vision with actionable implementation  How listener feedback, especially love for "snack episodes," shapes content direction  The democratic nature of the podcast as free, accessible support for all healthcare providers  Memorable Quotes: "Momentum is our friend. We can take our hard earned wisdom and build from that... it feels like a movement."  "From the perspective of above the mountains, nature is doing what it does, and it's handled... nothing can be insurmountable for us."  "This is on demand, it's always going to be free... It's evergreen and it's fully democratic."  Closing: This milestone episode captures the genuine passion driving the Thriving Practice Podcast. As Tracy and Miranda look toward the future, their commitment to serving healthcare providers remains unwavering, with exciting developments that promise to deepen the impact of this thriving community.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this Season 8 finale, Tracy reflects on eight months of breakthrough conversations and authentic connections while revealing what's been happening behind the scenes. She shares favorite moments including Dr. Ruth Mannschreck's inspiring time freedom story, Jennifer Raams' insights on emotional intelligence, and David Ford's MedWay innovation. Tracy discusses her surprising passion for addressing the clinical-to-CEO skills gap and announces expanding partnerships with medical associations in California, Georgia, and beyond as they build toward the global Thriving Practice Community launch.  Key Highlights:  The overwhelming success of authentic "snack episodes" with Miranda  Dr. Ruth Mannschreck's journey from forced practice reduction to time freedom mastery  Partnership expansion with medical associations across multiple states  The critical importance of "switching hats" between clinician and CEO roles  Behind-the-scenes look at building a global practice owner community  Preview of Season 9's deeper CEO development focus  Episode 200 milestone celebration announcement  Memorable Quotes: "The moment you open your practice, you become a CEO, but nobody ever tells you that."  "Practice owners are absolutely starving for authentic connection and real, unscripted conversations."  "The gap between clinical excellence and CEO thinking is so much wider than I initially realized."  "You became a CEO the moment you opened your practice - Season 9 is about helping you fully step into that role with confidence, community, and clarity."  "We're not just creating content - we're building a movement."  This season finale captures the momentum building in the practice owner community while setting the stage for even greater impact in Season 9.    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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Tracy Cherpeski shares insights into the Practice Growth Readiness Intensive, a four-week program designed to help healthcare practice owners move from feeling overwhelmed to gaining crystal-clear direction. This snack episode reveals the market gaps driving demand for this intensive format and the measurable outcomes participants can expect.  Key Highlights:  The number one complaint from practice owners is always time, followed closely by burnout and isolation  Most clients don't see bottom-line changes for 90 days, but the intensive provides immediate clarity and a strategic roadmap  Ideal participants have at least one year of practice ownership experience and are financially stable enough to invest in growth  Physical changes often appear first - better sleep, reduced tension, faster decision-making  Average client ROI is 10x within 12-18 months, with most recouping their investment within 90 days  The program bridges the gap between clinical excellence and business leadership confidence  Memorable Quotes: "There's such a difference between clinical excellence and confidence and business excellence and confidence."  "A lot of times once we get to know somebody, they'll confess later: 'Yeah, I feel like I don't really know what I'm doing,' and that's incredibly difficult for any highly trained professional to admit."  "You set the tone for the culture of your practice. And that can have an incredibly positive impact on your entire team, and that goes out to your patients and that ripples out to your community."  This episode offers a rare glimpse into the methodology behind helping healthcare providers reclaim their time while building thriving, sustainable practices. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready to scale, Tracy's insights provide a clear path forward.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Aspen Noonan, founder of Elevate Holistics, a pioneering telemedicine company connecting healthcare providers with patients seeking medical cannabis recommendations across 18 states. Aspen pulls back the curtain on this highly regulated but often misunderstood industry, sharing insights about entrepreneurship in the cannabis space, the complex patchwork of state laws, and innovative ways healthcare providers can support their patients while creating new revenue streams.  Key Highlights  The Business Model: How Elevate Holistics streamlines the medical cannabis recommendation process with 2-hour turnaround times and comprehensive support systems  Regulatory Landscape: Why cannabis laws vary dramatically between states and how entrepreneurs must constantly adapt to survive  Recommendations vs. Prescriptions: The crucial distinction that affects liability, insurance coverage, and provider participation  Provider Opportunities: Affiliate programs and educational resources that allow healthcare professionals to help patients without directly handling cannabis recommendations  Industry Insights: Why Oklahoma has 2,000+ dispensaries and how medical cards create value even in recreational states through tax savings  Personal Stories: Aspen's journey from 10 years on ADHD medication to cannabis advocacy and the life-changing patient stories that drive her mission  Future Outlook: Potential for insurance coverage, employee benefits, and the role of states' rights in cannabis policy  Memorable Quotes  "Change is the only constant in my world. The ability to pivot in this industry has been what stands the test of time."  "Cannabis used to be the first thing you tried. You used to try plants first, and then you would go to science. Now it's the opposite."  "I think cannabis can be seen as a crutch. When you break a leg, you need crutches. But when you're introducing alternative medicine, you use it for a little while and see what else can I fix?"  "This industry is highly regulated, but not enforced. The blame goes to a lot of different places."  Closing  Aspen's work at Elevate Holistics demonstrates how entrepreneurs can build meaningful businesses while navigating complex regulatory environments and genuinely helping people access alternative healthcare options. Her insights into the cannabis industry reveal opportunities for healthcare providers to better serve their patients while exploring new revenue streams in this rapidly evolving space.  Bio:  Aspen Noonan is the CEO of Elevate Holistics, a telehealth platform connecting patients with medical cannabis recommendations across 18 states. Since becoming CEO in June 2024, Aspen has been driving the company's ambitious goal of helping one million individuals obtain legal access to medical marijuana. With deep expertise in cannabis industry regulations and a commitment to holistic health, she has positioned Elevate Holistics as a leader in making medical cannabis accessible through streamlined online services and comprehensive patient support.  Find Aspen:  Website  LinkedIn  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this enlightening conversation, Andrea Nakayama breaks down the often confusing world of functional nutrition and explains how it can transform healthcare practices. Rather than focusing on restrictive diets or one-size-fits-all protocols, functional nutrition takes a personalized approach that considers each individual's unique history, physiology, and circumstances. Andrea shares how practitioners can integrate these services into their practices to better serve patients with chronic health issues, while working collaboratively within appropriate scopes of practice.  Key Highlights  What functional nutrition really is: A systems-based approach focused on individual experience rather than dietary protocols, guided by the principles that "everything is connected, we are all unique, and all things matter"  The three-tier framework:  Tier 1: Non-negotiables (sleep, digestion, blood sugar balance)  Tier 2: Deficiency to sufficiency  Tier 3: Dismantling dysfunction  The "three roots, many branches" model: Addressing genes, digestion, and inflammation as the root causes while symptoms and diagnoses are the branches  Scope of practice collaboration: How functional nutrition practitioners can work alongside medical providers to fill gaps in care without overstepping boundaries  Making nutrition accessible: Moving away from expensive testing and supplements toward a way of thinking that can be democratized for all income levels  The bike lane analogy: Understanding your personal "path" versus "poison ivy" - what foods and choices work for your individual physiology and circumstances  Business integration options: How practices can incorporate functional nutrition through hiring trained practitioners, referral networks, or additional training  Patient empowerment: Helping individuals understand their personal "mediators" - what makes them feel better or worse - rather than following rigid good/bad food rules  Memorable Quotes  "We may be asking too much of our doctors... when we ask them about nutrition, that's an out of scope question."  "If somebody's having an issue with compliance, I say we didn't match the pacing of our recommendations to that person's aptitude to be able to take them on."  "Your body is likely more functional than it's not. It's doing a lot for you. And when it comes to a functional practice, we're fine tuning the dial."  "We're not replacing [medical care] - food is better, lifestyle should do it. We're augmenting all the different things that person is experiencing."  "It's not about a protocol, it's about making steps forward and working within frameworks that help people know where to start."  "We can't walk a very narrow path for a very long time, and we shouldn't."  "When we know our mediators, we're making the decisions, we're not farming out our agency for somebody else to tell us we're good or bad."  Bio:  As the host of the 15-Minute Matrix Podcast and the founder of Functional Nutrition Alliance, Andrea is leading thousands of students and practitioners around the globe in a revolution to offer better solutions to the growing chronic illness epidemic. By highlighting the importance of systems biology, root cause methodology, and therapeutic partnerships, she helps historically underserved individuals reclaim ownership of their health.  Find Andrea:  Andrea's Website  FX Nutrition Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Former medical sales professional Clint Harris discovered that financial independence alone wasn't enough - he needed time and location freedom too. After building 14 Airbnbs that replaced his income but kept him essentially on call, Clint pivoted to truly passive investments. Now a General Partner at Nomad Capital, he helps others break free from trading time for money through alternative investments like converting vacant big box stores into storage facilities.  Episode Highlights  The Three Pillars of Investment Success: Time, experience, and money - and how to partner with others when you only have one of the three  Why "Saving Your Way to Retirement" No Longer Works: The impact of inflation and fiscal policy on traditional retirement strategies  The Millennial Storage Boom: How 34% of the population is driving demand for climate-controlled storage as lifestyle extensions  Independence of Purpose: Moving beyond financial freedom to create time and location independence  The 2008 Wake-Up Call: Why market volatility at the wrong time can derail decades of traditional investing  Community Impact: How converting vacant buildings revitalizes small towns while generating returns  Vertical Integration Strategy: The importance of controlling every aspect of the investment process  Memorable Quotes  "Financial independence is really not what I was after. I'm looking for financial time and location independence."  "If you buy enough of them, you can break this cycle of trading your time for money and paying for other people's days off."  "Independence of purpose is where you go where you want, when you want, do what you want, you raise your kids the way that you want."  "Money can't buy happiness, but what it can buy is ease and options."  "Instead of you getting up and working and trading more of your time for dollars, you can put that money to work. And that money is getting up and out of bed and going to work on the days that you don't feel like it."  "The most important thing is start with the end goal in mind and work backwards. And the end goal in mind should be purpose, happiness, ability to have a positive impact on the people around you."  Closing Thoughts  Clint's story reminds us that true wealth isn't just about accumulating money - it's about designing a life that aligns with our values and gives us the freedom to focus on what matters most. Whether through storage facilities, multifamily properties, or other alternative investments, the key is finding partners who share your ethics and vision, then building assets that work for you instead of the other way around.  The conversation challenges us to examine our own relationship with work and money. Are we building toward independence of purpose, or are we trapped in the cycle of trading time for dollars? As Clint puts it, the goal isn't just to make money - it's to buy future days off and create a legacy that extends far beyond our bank accounts.  Bio:  Clint Harris has a 15-year background in medical device sales. Clint has always been in the business of innovation, and creative solutions. In addition to his work with Nomad, Clint owns a strong multifamily real estate portfolio and built a highly successful property management company from the ground up with an emphasis on streamlining automation and vertical integration. Clint's core belief is that financial independence, when combined with location and time independence, creates independence of Purpose. He joined Nomad with the goal of sharing that vision with our investors daily.  Find Clint:  Website  LinkedIn  YouTube  Truly Passive Income Podcast   See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Tracy Cherpeski reveals why healthcare providers struggle with the business side of practice ownership and shares practical strategies for overcoming the mental barriers that keep talented practitioners stuck. This candid conversation explores the disconnect between clinical training and business success, offering actionable mindset shifts that unlock breakthrough results.  Key Highlights:  The "hat switching" technique for separating patient care from business strategy  Why imposter syndrome affects even the most successful healthcare providers  How to maintain confidence during inevitable growth plateaus and setbacks  The practical approach to turning unlimited potential into achievable business goals  Why connecting with other practice owners accelerates your success  Memorable Quotes: "When you're seeing patients, you're not thinking about money. Please don't be thinking about money. But while you're on the business strategy side, you gotta track your KPIs, you gotta know your numbers."  "Most of us, even experts, are making educated guesses based on history... but sometimes we're still guessing and we're taking an informed leap of faith."  "98% of the people that we've worked with would still do what they do even if they didn't need to make money, because they love it, because they feel called to it."  This episode perfectly captures the authentic dynamic between Marina and Tracy while addressing the real challenges practice owners face when scaling their businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to break through a growth plateau, you'll find practical strategies you can implement immediately.  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.   See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page   

Brothers Jonah and JDew from Banking Bros demystify infinite banking and reveal how business owners can leverage specially designed whole life insurance policies to create guaranteed cash flow, fund business needs, and retain top talent. Using their signature three-cup visual method, they explain how to save and spend money simultaneously while building wealth outside traditional market-dependent vehicles.  Key Highlights  How infinite banking works using the three-cup system: premiums, cash value, and death benefit  Why whole life insurance is the only insurance product that guarantees a payout  Practical business applications including employee retention strategies  Buy-sell agreement funding without market risk  Salary continuation and deferred compensation options for small businesses  Tax advantages and guaranteed growth features  Common misconceptions about life insurance and age/health requirements  Notable Topics Discussed  Employee retention strategies for small businesses competing with larger companies  Using infinite banking for equipment purchases and business investments  Cross-purchase and buy-sell agreement structures  The difference between term and whole life insurance for cash flow purposes  How to become your own banker and reduce third-party interest payments  Tax implications and guaranteed contract features  Memorable Quotes  "We are not talking about investment from us. We have a baseline of guarantee and consistency, a spot of certainty with cash flow privately used with no taxes."  "There are guarantees inside the contracts that we're utilizing for this cash flow structure, there are things that we can promise in the future to these people."  "You cannot make a decision of uncertainty until you have a guarantee and certainty place to start from."  "Cash flow does not care how old you are. Insurance does. Cash flow does not care if you're healthy. But insurance does."  Closing Thoughts  The Banking Bros offer a refreshing perspective on financial strategy that prioritizes certainty and control over speculation. Their approach to infinite banking provides business owners with practical tools for growth, employee retention, and wealth building that don't depend on market performance. This conversation is particularly valuable for small business owners looking for competitive advantages in talent retention and flexible funding solutions.  Guest Bios:  Jonah Dew - IBC Practitioner, Entrepreneur & Speaker Based in Greenville, SC, Jonah discovered infinite banking in 2016 and was immediately drawn to its ability to keep wealth within families while maintaining control. With a Business Administration degree and background in banking and insurance, he's passionate about helping others become good stewards of their wealth through this proven system.  Jeremiah "JDew" Dew - Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur & IBC Practitioner  After tackling his own debt challenges post-college, JDew discovered infinite banking in 2015, which tripled his net worth within two and a half years. As a father of four, he understands the real-world financial pressures families face. Together with his brother Jonah, he co-founded their educational platform to make infinite banking concepts accessible to everyone.  Find the Banking Bros:  Banking Bros Website  Cash Compound Website  YouTube  LinkedIn  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this solo episode, Tracy shares the exact Strategic Decision Framework that her most successful clients use to make confident business decisions without the sleepless nights. If you've ever found yourself second-guessing strategic choices or avoiding important decisions altogether, this episode reveals why practice leaders struggle with business decision-making and provides a simple but powerful 5-question filter that brings immediate clarity to any strategic choice.  Episode Highlights:  Why clinical training actually works against you when making business decisions • The hidden cost most practice owners miss when evaluating opportunities • How to distinguish between strategic opportunities and shiny objects • The crucial question that separates reactive leaders from proactive ones • Why "not deciding" is still a decision with real consequences Notable Quotes:  "Your clinical training taught you to make evidence-based decisions with clear protocols. But business decisions require you to act with incomplete information."  "Every yes is an automatic no to something else."  "Strategic thinking isn't a luxury when you're a practice owner—it's a necessity."  "When you make one good strategic decision, it eliminates dozens of smaller decisions down the road."  Ready to discover where your practice stands?  Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment to identify your current stage and biggest leverage points for sustainable growth. Strategic thinking starts with knowing exactly where you are in your leadership journey.  This episode is part of the Thriving Practice podcast series, focused on helping healthcare provider-owners build sustainable, profitable practices through strategic operations and leadership development.  Take your Practice Growth Readiness Assessment   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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this intimate snack episode, Miranda interviews Tracy about the power of community in healthcare practice management. Tracy shares why she believes the traditional approach of "going it alone" leads to burnout and how a community of practice model provides both practical business support and crucial emotional backing for healthcare entrepreneurs.  Key Highlights  The difference between community of practice and traditional networking - it's about taking off your masks and being raw  How isolation and solitude plague healthcare business owners, even those with great teams  The three-pronged challenge: full-time practitioner + practice owner + chief strategist roles  A real client story: discovering thousands in monthly losses due to double-billing text reminders  Why solo providers need creative business solutions while multi-provider practices need leadership focus  The value of 360-degree feedback systems for practice owners  How community support creates a sense of limitless possibility  Memorable Quotes  "When we feel as humans supported, we feel pretty limitless, like we can do anything."  "The blessing and curse of being a practice owner who's also a practitioner is pretty much working full time providing healthcare services and then the full time job as the practice owner."  "You get to take off your masks and just be yourself and be raw and talk about the hard stuff with other people who get it."  This episode reinforces why the Thriving Practice Community exists - to ensure healthcare providers have the support, systems, and community they need to build sustainable, thriving practices without sacrificing their well-being.  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.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  Dr. Sarah Crawford, DPT, shares how she's revolutionizing healthcare delivery through Anchor Wellness Center - an innovative collaborative model that brings independent practitioners together under one roof. With 98% patient retention and 30% year-over-year growth for member practices, Sarah's approach proves that excellent care and profitable business aren't mutually exclusive.  Key Highlights  The Healthcare Crisis: Only 18% of licensed physical therapists actually work in clinics due to system burnout and barriers to quality care  The Collaborative Advantage: Shared overhead, unified systems, and peer accountability create better outcomes for both providers and patients  Breaking the Poverty Mindset: Healthcare providers must value their expertise and charge accordingly - "if you don't make money, you have an incredibly expensive hobby"  The Entrepreneurship Reality: Building a practice will "crack you wide open" - embrace the vulnerability as essential growth  Systems vs. Solo Practice: Creating scalable businesses that can operate without the founder, not just "expensive lifestyle businesses"  Memorable Quotes  "The biggest barrier to healthcare is continuity of care - patients get bounced from provider to provider with too much time and space between them."  "Political correctness doesn't work in healthcare because it doesn't help people get better. If someone's had ineffective care, let them know it."  "Entrepreneurship cracks you wide open - all your vulnerabilities and insecurities are right at the forefront. You can surround yourself with people who help you grow, or you can resist it."  "You can't help anybody authentically if you haven't done your own work first."  "Love the hell out of people, including yourself. Sit into your own power and recognize that your zone of genius is a gift to the world."  Closing Thoughts  Sarah's model represents the future of healthcare - provider-centered care that actually centers the patient. By removing administrative burdens and creating true collaboration between practitioners, she's proving that the answer to our healthcare crisis isn't more regulations or bigger systems - it's empowering excellent providers to do what they do best. Her message is clear: bet on yourself, value your expertise, and don't apologize for building something profitable that genuinely serves people.  Bio:  Dr. Sarah Crawford, DPT, COMT, earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 2011. With over 14 years of experience in physical therapy and healthcare administration, she has served as office manager, clinical director, and partner for several independent practices before founding Anchor Wellness Center and Wave Physical Therapy and Pilates in 2019.  Dr. Crawford specializes in orthopedic manual therapy, chronic pain management, and Pilates-based rehabilitation. She was the first physical therapist certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling in Ohio and brings extensive training in neurological rehabilitation. Her comprehensive approach integrates neuromuscular, fascial, and musculoskeletal systems to optimize patient outcomes.  Driven by the recognition that traditional healthcare is reactive and fragmented, Dr. Crawford created the Anchor Wellness Center to support local healthcare entrepreneurs in a collaborative environment that ultimately improves patient care through true integration of services.  Find Dr. Sarah:  Website  Instagram   See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

When Dr. Ruth Mannschreck faced a life-changing situation that forced her to compress five full days of dentistry into just two and a half days, she discovered something remarkable: the systems that gave her life back were the exact same ones that made her practice incredibly valuable to potential buyers. In this episode, Ruth shares her five-step framework for transforming from a "cave dweller" practice owner who's involved in everything to a leader who's built a self-propelling business. We dive deep into creating intentional culture, the art of delegation beyond clinical tasks, and why the best time to start planning your exit is right now – whether you plan to sell in two years or twenty.  Episode Highlights  The "handpiece rule"that transformed Ruth's delegation approach: If you don't need your license or specialized tools to do it, you shouldn't be doing it  Culture as competitive advantage: How to turn vague core values into specific, observable behaviors your team can demonstrate and celebrate The "showtime" principlefor creating consistent patient experiences, even when team members are having personal challenges  Why "harmony" beats "balance": Understanding work-life integration as a dynamic dance rather than a static state Systems thinking for small practices: How to create communication flows that eliminate silos and keep everyone informed The psychology of millennial and Gen Z team management: Moving from "I know, so I'll tell you" leadership to outcome-focused delegation Exit planning as daily practice: Why building a sellable business improves your current quality of life and protects your team's future Differentiation beyond revenue: The multiple factors that make practices attractive to buyers, regardless of size Memorable Quotes  "If you don't need a handpiece and you don't need your dental license to do it, you're not allowed to do it."  "I call them cave dwellers where we're off on our own and we cling to each other when we go to conventions every year, because we need to speak with someone, an adult, another person who's in the leadership role."  "No one wants to buy your job. If you are part of everything in running your business, you're selling them a job and that's not what they're looking for."  "Balance means you're static and I don't want people to be static. Harmony is one way, and then two measures later, it's in a whole different key, but it's still balanced."  "Pick one thing that makes your heart sing, that you are amazing at, that people come to you for, stick to that one thing that you do, and then surround yourself with experts to do all the other things."  "Start like today. Today's a good day to get your business ready to sell. Tomorrow, in 10 years, whatever it is, because you'll be a happier business owner when you're not doing everything yourself."  Resources Mentioned  Free Resource: Visit workfewerhours.com for Ruth's checklist on building systems that give you your life back Whether you're drowning in daily operations or already thinking about your exit strategy, this conversation offers a roadmap for building a practice that serves you instead of consuming you. The best part? Every step toward freedom is also a step toward creating something truly valuable – for you, your team, and your future buyers.  Bio:  Dr. Ruth Mannschreck, DDS is a business strategist who helps small business owners transform their practices into businesses they can step away from – and eventually sell. Drawing from her experience on both sides of buying and selling businesses, Ruth specializes in systems design, team building, and creating client experiences that work without the owner's constant involvement. She guides business owners from "business as usual" to "business designed for YOU," focusing on fewer working hours, stronger teams, and exit-ready operations. Ruth hosts the Team Led Business Success Podcast and has successfully built and sold her own dental practice using the systematic approach she now teaches.  Find Dr. Ruth:  Website  LinkedIn  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  In this candid snack episode, Miranda Dorta turns the microphone around to interview Tracy Cherpeski about her specialized consulting approach for healthcare practice owners. This unscripted conversation reveals the genuine dynamic between the hosts while exploring the unique challenges facing healthcare providers who own their practices. Tracy shares insights on identifying scalability readiness, overcoming time management struggles, and the evolution from one-on-one consulting to building the Thriving Practice Community.  Key Highlights  The Business Acumen Gap: Healthcare providers often lack the business training needed to successfully operate their practices, despite their extensive clinical expertise The "Too Busy" Pattern: Practice owners frequently get caught in cycles of handling tasks that could be delegated to practice managers or administrative staff Scalability Assessment: Practices need solid operational foundations—including clinical, front office, and back office operations manuals—before they're ready to scale Community-Driven Support: The Thriving Practice Community was launched to create a peer ecosystem where healthcare providers can crowdsource business solutions and build a social safety net Delegation Dynamics: Many practice owners hesitate to delegate not from a need for control, but from concern about overwhelming their already busy teams Memorable Quotes  "In all the places for people to be struggling in their business, healthcare just really should not be one of them. It shouldn't be so hard."  "You provider owners are wearing two full time professional hats, maybe even kind of like a third one if you separate strategy from leadership."  "Just because you can doesn't mean that you should. Unless your entire staff is down with some stomach virus, you're not going to be doing your blood draws—your team is going to be doing that because that's what they're really good at."  "If we can smooth over the strategic aspect of it, the leadership aspect of it, the operational side and get it running like a well-oiled machine, then life is so much better and easier on the clinical side and outside of work."  "We wanted to take the focus off of me as the provider and build an ecosystem that's truly supportive, that creates that social safety net for people."  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  Jennifer Raams, coach with Practice Freedom U, joins Tracy to discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in healthcare practice management. This conversation explores how self-awareness, stress management, and intentional leadership create thriving practices where both providers and patients flourish.  Key Highlights  The Inner Game of Practice Management  Stressed practitioners create stressed practices - it shows up in patient interactions, team dynamics, and business performance  The importance of moving from reactive to responsive leadership through self-awareness  How clinical excellence skills can become business liabilities without proper emotional regulation  The Flourishing Zone Framework  Green zone: flourishing state where leaders show up intentionally  Red zone: defensive/attack mode that damages relationships and decision-making  Frozen zone: low energy state that leads to stagnation and burnout  Goal: Spend 80% of time in the green zone using practical tools and awareness  Leadership as Nervous System Regulation  Culture isn't built through workshops - it's created through how you show up moment by moment  The power of presence: being able to "read the room" and respond appropriately to team needs  Switching between clinical and business "hats" to maintain appropriate focus  Practical EQ Tools  Two key questions for fear-based thinking: "Where do I choose to put my attention?" and "Where do I have influence?"  The power of curiosity over defensiveness in difficult situations  Simple physical shifts (changing hands, standing/sitting) to interrupt triggered states  Memorable Quotes  "If you're not okay, your business is going to suffer, period."  "Culture is not a workshop - it's how you show up every single moment."  "The biggest stress contributor is when you feel you have no control and no influence."  "We only have this second. What am I choosing intentionally to do now about it?"  "When your people are flourishing, your business is thriving. There's no way around it."  "Every skill, every behavior is learned - it's a skill you can learn and also unlearn."  Key Takeaways  Start with self-awareness: Recognize your triggers, stress levels, and default responses before trying to manage others  Invest early in leadership development: Building culture, systems, and leadership teams takes time - don't wait until you're scaling  Focus on what you can control: When overwhelmed, return to the basics of where you put your attention and where you have influence  Make coaching a priority: Having a confidential sounding board accelerates growth and prevents costly mistakes  Think beyond the clinical hat: Practice owners must develop the ability to shift between provider and CEO mindsets  This episode emphasizes that sustainable practice success requires more than clinical expertise - it demands emotional intelligence, intentional leadership, and the courage to invest in personal development alongside business growth.  Bio:  Jennifer Raams is an entrepreneur and business coach who arrived in Hawaii with just a suitcase, a physical therapy diploma, and $2,000, ultimately building a thriving PT business that empowers leaders to scale with purpose. As a coach with Practice Freedom U, she specializes in leadership development, strategic growth, and succession planning. With 20 years of COO experience scaling a multi-clinic practice and leading high-performing teams, Jennifer helps practice owners gain clarity, confidence, and the tools to build thriving, sustainable businesses that leave a lasting impact.  Find Jennifer:  Practice Freedom U Website  LinkedIn  Jennifer's Website  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  During Mental Health Awareness Month and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore a critical business issue affecting healthcare practices nationwide. Male patients with undiagnosed PTSD and mental health challenges are creating hidden operational costs, revenue losses, and staff frustration—all while walking out feeling unheard and unlikely to return. This episode breaks down the business case for recognizing how men's mental health decline presents differently and provides actionable strategies to turn this challenge into a competitive advantage.  Note: We approach this topic from a business and operational perspective, deferring to clinical mental health professionals for diagnosis and treatment guidance.  Key Highlights  The Hidden Financial Impact: Unrecognized men's mental health issues cost practices through incomplete care cycles, staff burnout, reputation damage, and missed referral opportunities Why Traditional Approaches Fail: Current assessment tools and communication strategies were developed primarily for women, creating systematic blind spots for male presentations Different Presentation Patterns: Men with PTSD show anger instead of sadness, risk-taking behaviors, work performance swings, and physical symptoms rather than traditional emotional indicators The Competitive Advantage: Practices that adapt first will capture a significantly underserved market segment and become go-to providers for entire families Strategic Implementation: Small, targeted modifications create maximum impact—environmental changes, communication training, enhanced screening, and referral network development Measurement Matters: Track engagement rates, referral completion, patient satisfaction by gender, and reputation metrics to ensure sustainable change Leadership Opportunity: Position your practice as a leader in comprehensive mental wellness during awareness months Memorable Quotes  "You're looking at undiagnosed PTSD and mental health decline in men, and it's creating a cascade of operational problems that are costing you significantly."  "Your practice was designed around assessment tools and communication strategies developed primarily for women. This isn't anyone's fault—it's just the historical reality of healthcare development. But it's creating a systematic blind spot."  "The practices that thrive in the next decade are going to be the ones that can adapt their operations to meet patients where they are, not where we think they should be."  "Every patient who feels unheard, misunderstood, or inadequately treated represents lost revenue, missed opportunities, and potential reputation damage."  "Thriving practices aren't built on good intentions—they're built on strategic systems that deliver consistent results for both patients and providers."  Action Items for Listeners  ✓ Assess your current intake forms for gender-neutral mental health screening ✓ Train staff to ask functional impact questions rather than emotional state questions  ✓ Evaluate your waiting room environment and reading materials ✓ Build relationships with mental health providers specializing in men's mental health ✓ Implement tracking systems for male patient engagement and satisfaction ✓ Start with one strategic modification that aligns with your current resources  This episode is part of the Thriving Practice podcast series, focused on helping healthcare provider-owners build sustainable, profitable practices through strategic operations and leadership development.  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  In this candid snack episode, Miranda Dorta puts Tracy Cherpeski in the interview seat to explore the essential roadmap from where healthcare practice owners are now to where they want to be. This unscripted conversation dives deep into the systems, strategies, and team-building approaches that create sustainable practice growth. Whether you're taking your first growth step or navigating complex expansion challenges, this episode provides the clarity and confidence needed to move forward strategically.  Key Highlights  Subtract Before You Multiply- Essential pre-growth evaluation to identify systems that won't scale and operational bottlenecks that need addressing  Capacity Assessment- How to determine if your current systems can "rinse and repeat" with minimal intervention before expanding  Sustainable Growth Rates- Understanding the difference between rapid growth (which sometimes just happens) and sustainable 30% year-over-year growth  Values-Driven Decision Making- Distinguishing between growth opportunities that align with core values versus those that simply increase revenue  The WAIT Method- Strategic pausing using the acronym "Why Am I Talking?" to ensure thoughtful leadership decisions  Culture as Foundation- How practice culture extends far beyond pizza parties to include conflict resolution, team unity during challenges, and shared vision alignment  Memorable Quotes  "You need to subtract before you multiply. If you don't take care of your problems, they're gonna grow with you."  "The key is if the systems you have in place can basically rinse, repeat, with minimal intervention, you're probably in a really good place to expand."  "We call it a shiny object and we call that the SOS - the shiny object syndrome."  "Culture isn't a workshop that you attend. If you're the head of practice and you're the practice owner, you set the tone."  "When you come together for a common goal, which would be the vision and mission of the practice, when you have your team on board, that's everything. That really is everything."  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Episode Overview  In this refreshing conversation, Justin Strong from Room 118 challenges everything you think you know about marketing. Moving away from the "throw spaghetti at the wall" approach that's given marketing a bad reputation, Justin advocates for a scientific, data-driven methodology that treats marketing like clinical diagnostics - complete with "x-rays" before making recommendations.  Drawing from his analysis of over 4,000 dental practices through the Dental Marketing Index, Justin reveals why traditional marketing approaches often fail and how practice owners can make informed decisions based on hard data rather than gut feelings or sales pitches.  Key Topics Discussed  The Marketing Trust Problem: Why marketing has earned its bad reputation and how to identify high-integrity marketers who prioritize results over profits The Dental Marketing Index: A comprehensive analysis of 4,000+ practices that reveals what actually correlates with success vs. what agencies typically sell Market Diagnostics: Why every marketing decision should start with understanding your local market demographics, competition, and patient behavior patterns The "Near Me" Revolution: How patient behavior has fundamentally shifted, with "dentist near me" becoming the most searched term and average patient lifetime dropping from 14-17 years to under 5 years The Sales Gap: Why great marketing often fails due to poor follow-through - missing online schedulers, unreturned calls, and inadequate patient experience systems Competition as Innovation Driver: How high-density markets like DC create exceptional patient experiences through competitive pressure The Science of Marketing: Moving from creative guesswork to measurable, forecastable strategies based on data analysis Memorable Quotes  "Marketing's job should be to tell you, is this possible in your local market? If so, where is our best opportunity for success? And then it should give practical recommendations based on that."  "It's sort of like a patient walked in and said, I have a tooth. Therefore, I need you to pull this tooth. And your response is going to be, why don't we take a look at the tooth? How about that x-ray first?"  "All a brand is is the small bit of space you occupy in your patients' minds. What do they think when they think of your brand?"  "If you think they're doing it, they've been doing it for a while." (on data privacy and corporate surveillance)  "There is a way to reduce complexity... hire good people to solve problems. If you understand where you want to go as a practice owner... recognize what the challenges are you must overcome, and hire good people to solve those problems."  The Bottom Line  Marketing doesn't have to be a guessing game. When approached scientifically - with proper market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and data-driven decision making - it becomes a powerful tool for practice growth. The key is finding marketers who prioritize your success over their service offerings and who can provide the objective "map" you need to navigate from where you are to where you want to go.  Bio:  Justin Strong is the Founder and CEO of Room 118, Inc., a dental research and marketing agency focused on data-driven practice growth. With 25 years of experience in marketing and strategy, he's led multi-billion-dollar initiatives at Verizon Enterprise Solutions and McCann. Recognizing the gap in evidence-based dental marketing, Justin pioneered the Dental Marketing Index, analyzing 4,000+ practices to identify what actually drives results. He specializes in helping practice owners move from random marketing tactics to predictable, high-ROI strategies using Fortune 500-level data insights applied to local dental marketing.  Find Justin:  Website  LinkedIn  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

Tracy sits down with David Ford, CEO of CMA Physician Services, to challenge the notion that independent medical practices are becoming obsolete. David shares his passion for supporting private practitioners and unveils Medway, a new subscription-based service designed to lift administrative burdens off physicians' shoulders. Through compelling stories and practical insights, David makes the case that private practice may actually be the wave of the future, with more physicians seeking independence and control over their practice style. This conversation offers hope and practical guidance for healthcare providers considering or currently managing independent practices.  Episode Highlights:  CMA Physician Services' mission to help independent practices thrive through "the upside of coordination without the downside of consolidation"  How the soon-to-launch Medway service helps physicians outsource administrative burdens like payroll, benefits, and compliance  The story of a physician in California's high desert who can continue serving Medicare patients thanks to shared savings programs  Why private practice isn't dead - and may actually be making a comeback  The systemic challenges facing new physicians with student debt, and programs that help address these barriers  How lifting administrative burdens gives physicians more time for patients AND personal life  The importance of community-centered healthcare and treating social determinants of health  Memorable Quotes:  "Independent practice isn't dead, like you can do it." - David Ford  "You didn't do all that schooling to run payroll." - David Ford  "Why would you own your practice if you don't have control over your schedule and your time? What's the point?" - Tracy Cherpeski  "I think of it like standing on the beach and seeing the swell that's a half mile out... it's not a wave yet, but you can see a little bit of a swell out there." - David Ford on the trend of physicians returning to private practice  "It can be done... It probably can't be done the same way it was 50 or 60 years ago. You have to approach it a little differently... But it is very much still possible. You can do it. You can be successful and you can thrive, have your practice and still have the life you want to have." - David Ford  Bio:  David Ford serves as the CEO of CMA Physician Services, a subsidiary of the California Medical Association. A nationally recognized expert in health information technology, David previously led as Vice President of Health IT at CMA where he developed thought leadership in electronic health records, health information exchange, and telehealth. Prior to CMA, he was Executive Director of CalHIPSO, the nation's largest federally designated Regional Extension Center, where he helped thousands of safety net providers implement health IT systems to improve care delivery and participate in payment reform. David began his career in the California State Legislature, most recently as Chief of Staff to then-Assemblymember Ted Lieu. He holds a BA in Political Science from The American University in Washington, D.C.  Find David:  Website  LinkedIn  BlueSky  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this enlightening "snack episode," host Miranda Dorta turns the mic around to interview Tracy Cherpeski about the critical connection between leadership approaches and healthcare practice success. Tracy reveals how healthcare providers often exhibit confidence in clinical settings but struggle with business leadership, sharing practical insights on adapting leadership styles while maintaining authenticity. She introduces the concept of "changing hats" to help practitioners mentally transition between clinical and leadership roles, and emphasizes that micromanagement isn't always negative when applied strategically. Tracy's most impactful leadership tip? The power of the pause—what she calls "WAIT" (Why Am I Talking?)—allowing leaders to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.  Episode Highlights:  The pattern Tracy observed in healthcare providers: confidence in clinical delegation but timidity in business leadership  How practitioners can transfer clinical skills to leadership while knowing which habits to "surgically remove"  The cognitive trick of "changing hats" to help the brain switch between clinical and leadership mindsets  Why micromanagement isn't always negative and when it might be necessary  The most powerful leadership adjustment: learning to pause before reacting  Memorable Quotes:  "Sometimes their business model is to hope for the best."  "Leadership doesn't mean knowing everything. It doesn't mean being in command or control of every single thing."  "Micromanagement - it's not a four-letter word, but it sounds like it could be."  "If you take your hands off, not abdicate your responsibility for success, but take your hands off and let them do their work, they will rise to the occasion."  "We call it WAIT. It's an acronym. Why Am I Talking?"  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this episode, we speak with Asha Strazzero-Wild, co-founder of Outpointe, a growth strategy and execution firm specializing in healthcare. Asha shares her fascinating journey from aspiring doctor to education and public health before founding Outpointe with business partner Kelly Wilder. Their firm helps healthcare organizations optimize resources and improve patient and provider experiences through data-driven strategies and tactical support. Drawing on their combined 50 years of experience, Asha and Kelly guide healthcare companies in prioritizing initiatives, aligning metrics, and executing effectively on their vision in an increasingly complex market.  Key Takeaways  Data-driven decision making is crucial for healthcare organizations to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources effectively  The importance of speaking the same language when defining metrics and success criteria before launching initiatives  Outpointe's proprietary Growth Readiness Outlook assessment helps organizations evaluate their readiness for growth across key areas including customer experience, financial work, sales and marketing, and workforce development  The value of intentionally seeking feedback from those implementing best practices in your industry to drive continuous improvement  Why focusing on your strengths is as important as addressing areas for improvement when building effective teams  The boxing inspiration behind the name "Outpointe" - strategically coming back round after round to outpoint your opponent (the market)  Memorable Quotes  "Everyone says 'I've got this great idea,' but actually operationalizing that and executing on it and being strategic about what you choose to do and not do is hard."  "At the end of the day, we're all working to help make healthcare better."  "Don't focus exclusively on what you need to do better. Don't forget to focus on what you do really well, and keep doing that really well."  "When you're thinking about how you are going to allow yourself to grow and evolve with the market and the market needs, it's really important. And it shouldn't be done in a vacuum."  Resources Mentioned  Book Recommendation: StrengthsFinder - for identifying your strengths and building effective teams  Bio:  Asha brings over 10 years of healthcare sector experience spanning public health, health technology, and corporate marketing. As co-founder of Outpointe, she helps healthcare organizations implement effective systems and processes for sustainable growth and successful innovation launches.  At The Advisory Board Company, Asha earned Pragmatic Marketing certifications and launched nearly a dozen successful analytics products. Later, as Senior Vice President of Integrated Sales and Marketing at a leading life sciences company, she drove effective marketing strategies that generated nearly $50 million in sales over three years. Her expertise includes managing multi-million-dollar budgets, integrating sales and marketing functions, and measuring marketing ROI.  Asha has overseen multiple acquisitions and product launches throughout her career. When not working, she enjoys spending time at the hockey rink with her son and leading community volunteer efforts in the Boston area.  Find Asha:  Website  LinkedIn  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this episode, Tracy explores how independent healthcare practice owners can leverage small wellness initiatives as powerful demonstrations of leadership. Against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges in healthcare—from high turnover to political pressures—she reveals how intentional wellness practices create disproportionate returns for small practices. Unlike large healthcare systems, small practices have a "leadership proximity advantage" that makes even modest wellness initiatives more effective. Tracy shares practical, low-cost approaches that strengthen team culture, improve retention, and ultimately create more sustainable practices. The episode highlights how leadership presence, rather than elaborate programs, is the true foundation of practice wellbeing.  Episode Highlights:  Why small practices have a distinct advantage in implementing effective wellness initiatives  A simple 20-minute weekly wellness activity that costs nothing but delivers remarkable results  Five mindset practices that integrate wellness into everyday leadership  How to measure the ROI of wellness initiatives through reduced absenteeism and improved engagement  The critical connection between a leader's own sustainable energy and team wellness  Memorable Quotes:  "Culture isn't a workshop we attend. It's about the example we set."  "The most successful practice owners know that wellness isn't about implementing a program—it's about investing in your most valuable asset: your people."  "Small, consistent wellness actions may seem insignificant compared to the daily operations of your practice, but they can completely redirect your practice culture."  "The practices that consistently outperform, even in challenging times, aren't necessarily the ones with the most resources—they're the ones led by owners who understand that how they show up matters more than what they say."  "You can't pour from an empty cup. The foundation of any successful team wellness initiative is your own sustainable energy as a leader."  Free Resource Mentioned: Download the Energy Audit workbook at PracticeSuccess.co/resources  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page 

In this candid, unscripted "snack episode," Tracy is interviewed by Miranda, our Manager of Operations and PR at Tracy Cherpeski International and the Thriving Practice Community. Tracy shares her practical planning process for helping healthcare practice owners transform their ideas into achievable quarterly goals. She explains how to plan effectively even during uncertainty and maintain enthusiasm while building a practice vision despite challenges.  Key Takeaways:  Tracy's planning process starts with clarity - connecting the what, why, and how of your goals  Emotional connection to goals makes it easier to put in the necessary effort  Beginning with clarity increases speed rather than haste  Break down long-term goals by working backward - from 12 months to 9, 6, 3 months, then to weekly and daily tasks  Breaking goals into smaller chunks prevents feeling overwhelmed  Celebrate daily accomplishments with a "ta-da list" to maintain positive energy and momentum  Look for subtle wins: improved feelings, better sleep, increased energy at work  Lack of patience is a major challenge for healthcare entrepreneurs who want solutions immediately  The importance of "slowing down to speed up" - surrendering to the process brings clarity  Finding your practice's unique edge goes beyond clinical expertise to what makes you stand out in a competitive market  Notable Quotes:  "When we're emotionally connected to a goal, then it's easier for us...to put in the effort and the labor that's required to make something come to fruition."  "Clarity actually helps us increase speed rather than like haste."  "Sometimes when we have big goals, it can feel so overwhelming that we don't even start."  "My coach who trained me taught me about the ta-da list at the end of each day, which is...don't diminish progress."  "When we use this beautiful tool called surrender and we trust the process, that slowing down brings us that clarity that helps us then move forward with more speed."  "What makes you stand out so that you don't feel like it's about competition...Seth Godin calls it Purple Cow. Right? Like, what is it about your practice that makes you unique? And it can't just be your clinical expertise. It's not enough."  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.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy's LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page  Thriving Practice Community Instagram 

Episode Overview In this episode of Thriving Practice, I speak with Sarah Clark, founder of Sarah Clark Consulting, who helps medical, dental, and chiropractic practices transform operational chaos into sustainable calm. Sarah's approach combines fractional practice administration with process improvement strategies that allow providers to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens. We explore how small, intentional changes in technology and workflow can dramatically improve both the patient experience and staff satisfaction. Sarah shares concrete examples of how simple solutions like automated appointment reminders have freed up staff time and improved patient punctuality by 30% in one practice. Her compassionate, results-driven methodology emphasizes that providers don't need to make sweeping changes all at once – even incremental improvements can lead to significant positive outcomes for practice efficiency and provider wellbeing. Featured Quotes "What I do is I help private medical, dental, chiropractor, anything in that field...turn their chaos into calm. And I sort of make a joke of, well, not all the way calm, more like calm-er. Because if it's really quiet and it's really calm, that's probably also like it's never really gonna happen that way." "Burnout is not just taking care of the patients and dealing with that burden that gets put onto their shoulders, but having to run an office when a physician did not go to business school becomes really difficult...It's overwhelming. That's a full-time job." "There are ways that you can do that and take some of the manual part of the stuff that leads up to that diagnosis...once the clients, once the business owners understand that it's okay to elevate something else off of you, to give it to somebody that has the experience and the time and the understanding to do it, it is, I mean, I have two clients that will just send me a text message about whatever it is and they used to say just handle it, now that just handle it is understood." What You'll Learn Listen for these key insights: How the "Four P's" framework (People, Paperwork, Processes, and Patients) can transform your practice Why technology adoption doesn't have to be overwhelming—and how small changes like automated appointment reminders can have outsized impacts The surprising connection between provider burnout and patient experience How fractional practice administration can provide expert support for practices that can't justify a full-time administrator The critical importance of developing a strategic plan for your practice, including your eventual exit strategy Why compassion isn't just good medicine—it's good business (with scientific evidence to back it up!) Resources Mentioned Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference - Book recommendation from Sarah about the impact of compassion on patient outcomes and provider burnout Thriving Practice is hosted and executive produced by Tracy Cherpeski. Our mission is to help healthcare practitioners build sustainable, impactful businesses while maintaining their own wellbeing. Bio: Sarah Clark is the founder of Sarah Clark Consulting, where she helps medical, dental, and chiropractic practices transform operational chaos into sustainable calm. With a Master's degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University, Sarah built her career spanning both corporate healthcare with the NFL and independent medical practices. This diverse background gives Sarah a unique perspective from nearly all roles in a medical office, allowing her to identify pain points and implement collaborative solutions. She specializes in helping independent practitioners who often wear multiple hats without adequate training for all their responsibilities. Through fractional practice administration and process improvement, Sarah guides healthcare providers to become the best versions of themselves while improving operations and increasing profitability. Sarah lives in Huntersville, North Carolina where she enjoys outdoor activities, RV travel, cooking, and kickboxing when she's not transforming healthcare practices. Find Sarah: Website LinkedIn Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

In this insightful episode, TJ Slattery of Crow's Nest Mindset Consulting shares strategies for healthcare practice owners who find themselves stuck "below deck" in their businesses. TJ explains how practitioners can transition from frantically managing day-to-day operations to gaining the strategic perspective needed for sustainable growth and leadership. Through practical advice and compelling metaphors, he offers a roadmap for escaping the "entrepreneurial island" that traps many healthcare business owners. Episode Highlights: The crow's nest metaphor: Why healthcare providers often find themselves "shoveling water below deck" instead of navigating strategically The challenge of transitioning from clinical excellence (where "never let them see you sweat" is valued) to business leadership (where vulnerability and delegation are crucial) Understanding your true hourly value and why tasks like "opening the mail" could be costing you thousands Building a holistic performance model that aligns financial goals with marketing, operations, and leadership Moving from "magical thinking" about growth to practical planning with measurable steps The three mindset blocks that prevent effective delegation: martyrdom, "I alone can fix it," and guilt How creating space for your team allows them to develop, flourish, and make your business stronger Memorable Quotes: "The death of every entrepreneur is you all become glorified managers. If you're doing this right, in a year from now, you're not the one getting your hands dirty - you're managing people and managing your managers." "Would you pay a bookkeeper $1,200 an hour to go through your books? That's what you're doing when you handle those tasks yourself instead of delegating." "Just because we can doesn't mean we should. How is a business owner to fulfill their mission and vision if they're not able to get up to that view and keep checking on it?" "A lot of people, whatever their background or industry is, never let them see you sweat. That is a teachable mindset that you can maneuver over. That is something you can loosen up and get better at." Guest Bio: TJ Slattery is the Founder and Strategic Advisor at Crow's Nest Mindset Consulting, where he helps small business owners scale their enterprises and achieve greater freedom in both professional and personal spheres. With 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and small business operations, TJ brings a unique blend of practical expertise and strategic insight to his clients. A self-described "business plan tinkerer," TJ's approach stems from genuine curiosity and a collaborative drive to identify core challenges and implement effective solutions. His diverse background includes founding a pedicab service in Vail, running a handyman business in Denver, partnering in a London-based facilities management firm, and co-founding Zuni Street Brewing Company. TJ holds a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Business Management from Miami University of Ohio and an MBA from the University of Denver. When not helping business owners climb to their own crow's nest for a better strategic view, this Denver resident with Midwestern roots enjoys music, gardening, home projects, traveling, skiing, and spending quality time with his dog, Bella. Find TJ: Website LinkedIn Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

In this special "snack episode" of the Thriving Practice Podcast, Miranda Dorta interviews Tracy Cherpeski about the evolution of the healthcare industry since 2010. Tracy shares insights on current challenges facing independent practices, emerging business models, and essential skills for practice owners to thrive in today's healthcare landscape. From the concerning trend of private equity acquisitions to promising signs of physicians returning to independent practice, Tracy offers her perspective on where healthcare is heading and how practice owners can adapt. Main Points: Private equity acquisition of practices and expansion of larger institutions are concerning trends affecting independent healthcare practices Early signs suggest some physicians are returning to private practice after experiencing larger institutional settings Independent single-provider practices face significant financial challenges with high operating costs Collaborative group practices with multiple providers offer a sustainable model for the future Practice owners need to embrace their CEO role and focus on strategic leadership, delegation, and resource allocation Smart investment in marketing and operations is essential for practice growth, despite some resistance A shift back toward more relational, neighborhood-based practices may be emerging Notable Quotes: "I see independent provider practices struggling a lot with an individual, just one provider. So I am seeing a little bit more of a leaning towards a group focus or multiple providers." "I see practices that maybe are successful but they're not as profitable as they could be." "Most of our clients do not think of themselves as a CEO first. But if you're a business owner, you are the CEO." "It's not how you spend your time. If you're spending your time, you're probably wasting it... It's how you invest the resource, the finite resource of your time and energy." 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. Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Amir Baluch, a semi-retired anesthesiologist and founder of Blue Capital Partners, about alternative investment strategies for healthcare providers. Dr. Baluch shares insights on creating passive income streams, the importance of diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds, and how strategic investments can "buy back time" for busy practitioners. While much of his financial advice offers valuable perspective for healthcare providers looking to reduce clinical hours and focus more on business development, we also provide important context regarding his comments on real estate investment and political policies that may contradict current research on housing affordability and economic impacts. Episode Highlights: The Power of Passive Income: How investing in alternative assets can create freedom in your schedule and reduce dependence on clinical hours Diversification Strategy: Why relying solely on traditional investments like stocks may not provide adequate returns in the coming decade Risk-Adjusted Returns: Understanding how to evaluate investments beyond just the stated return percentage Time vs. Money: Creating a strategic plan to gradually reduce clinical hours through passive income Marketing vs. Sales: The critical differences between creating awareness and converting leads Building a Sellable Practice: The importance of treating your practice like a business that could someday be sold Producer's Notes: Two topics discussed in this episode warrant additional context: Single-Family Home Investments: Institutional investor ownership of single-family homes has grown significantly, with just 32 institutional investors collectively owning 450,000 single-family homes by 2022. Research indicates non-individual investor ownership of single-family rentals increased from 17% in 2001 to 25% in 2021, with projections suggesting institutional investors could control 40% of U.S. single-family rental homes by 2030. This trend is contributing to the housing affordability crisis in many markets. Policy Impacts: Despite Dr. Baluch's enthusiasm about certain administration policies, current evidence suggests recent tariffs, immigration policies, and cuts to housing programs are adversely affecting housing affordability. Housing experts note that deportation plans could severely impact the construction industry, as immigrants make up approximately 30% of the construction labor force at a time when the National Association of Home Builders projects a need for 2.2 million new skilled construction workers. Sources: Government Accountability Office (GAO). "Rental Housing: Information on Institutional Investment in Single-Family Homes." May 2024. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. "8 Facts About Investor Activity in the Single-Family Rental Market." 2024. MetLife Investment Management. "Housing Market Projections Report." 2023. The Washington Post. "Investors bought up a record share of homes last year." February 2022. Center for American Progress. "Americans Recognize Housing Affordability Crisis." October 2024. National Association of Home Builders. "Understanding Housing Affordability in Today's Market." July 2024. Bankrate. "How Will Tariffs And Deportations Affect Housing?" April 2025. Newsweek. "Trump Tariffs Could Slow US Housing Market in 2025." March 2025. ProPublica. "Trump Says He'll Fight for Working-Class Americans. His First Presidency Suggests He Won't." November 2024. National Low Income Housing Coalition. "Impacts of Trump Administration Executive Orders." April 2025. Notable Quotes: "If you diversify across enough asset classes, you could reduce your risk by 80% and still get the same returns." - Dr. Amir Baluch "When people don't write it down on a piece of paper, it never happens. They throw money here and there and a couple of investments. But at the end of the year, okay, how much time did that buy you back?" - Dr. Amir Baluch "Just imagine every dollar bill you have is a little soldier. You just want to put it to work out there." - Dr. Amir Baluch "If you're not measuring it, it doesn't get managed." - Dr. Amir Baluch "I think that's the key. Take your time and energy so that you can work on the business instead of being in it all the time." - Host Bio: Dr. Amir Baluch is a Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author who retired from anesthesiology in his early 40s to focus on transforming wealth management for healthcare professionals. After experiencing his father's bankruptcy and personal setbacks in 2001, he developed alternative investment strategies that have since helped numerous medical professionals achieve financial independence. As founder of Blue Capital Partners, Dr. Baluch manages over $700M in projects, specializing in creating passive income through real estate, private equity, and private credit investments. His expertise has been featured on ABC News, Business Insider, and Forbes. He's dedicated to empowering 10,000 healthcare professionals to secure financial freedom through recession-proof investment opportunities that provide not just wealth accumulation but also tax reduction and lifestyle flexibility. Dr. Baluch brings a unique physician-focused perspective to financial planning, having personally implemented the strategies he teaches to achieve early retirement and build lasting wealth. Find Dr. Baluch: Website LinkedIn Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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. Main Points: Well-being vs. Work-Life Balance: Tracy defines well-being as the complete picture encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual health along with business health. She challenges the concept of "balance," suggesting that harmony with one's life goals is more realistic for business owners. The Importance of Slowing Down: Tracy emphasizes that the first step to protecting time and energy is slowing down to gain "crystal clarity" about personal and professional goals, which allows practice owners to prioritize effectively. Recognizing When Growth Threatens Well-being: Through reflective questioning and coaching, Tracy helps healthcare professionals recognize patterns that compromise their well-being and guides them to meaningful "aha moments" about self-care. Addressing Perfectionism and Control: Tracy normalizes the control tendencies common in healthcare entrepreneurs while helping them learn true surrender—not abdication but rather building trust in themselves and their teams. Notable Quotes: "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. Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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. Key Highlights The Burnout Reality: How Joanna's emergency room visit within her first year of business became a wake-up call to reimagine how wellness practices can operate Paradigm Shift: The fundamental difference between selling individual sessions versus creating comprehensive healing journeys Business Benefits: How programs eliminate the financial impact of no-shows and create predictable, sustainable revenue Client Outcomes: Why structured programs lead to better compliance, deeper healing, and more satisfied clients Implementation Framework: Practical steps for designing programs that align with your modality and client needs Transition Strategies: How to introduce programs to existing clients without disrupting relationships Sales Process: Creating authentic enrollment conversations that align with healing values Topics Covered The profound difference between "packages" (discounted sessions) and true treatment programs Front-end and back-end program structures for different practitioner types How programs provide essential "guardrails" that keep clients on track with their health goals Why selling sessions creates unpredictable income and client progress The iterative approach to refining your programs over time Creating systems that allow practitioners to "just show up and do their best work" How program-based practices can scale more effectively Featured Examples Joanna shares two detailed program models: Physical Practitioner Model: A body worker's 6/9/12-week assessment-based treatment plans for pain relief and injury recovery Therapeutic Practitioner Model: A nervous system specialist's six-month cohort-based program for disordered eating with group and individual components Resources Mentioned Free Systems Guide: Three essential business systems for wellness practitioners: Lead generation system Lead capture system Sales process system Last week's solo episode on physician wellness and burnout prevention Joanna's comprehensive business development programs for wellness practitioners Episode Quotes "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 Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

Episode Overview 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. Key Highlights The Burnout Crisis: 63% of physicians report at least one symptom of burnout according to Mayo Clinic research Double Impact: Practice owners face both clinical stress and business ownership pressures Strengths Becoming Weaknesses: How the qualities that make great healthcare providers (service orientation, high standards, problem-solving abilities) can undermine personal wellbeing Business Consequences: How unmanaged stress directly impacts practice revenue, staff retention, patient experience, and clinical decision-making Practical Solutions: Stress management strategies specifically designed for independent practitioners and small practice owners Topics Covered The unique stress patterns observed in healthcare practitioners vs. other professionals How to recognize early warning signs of burnout in yourself and colleagues The measurable business costs of practitioner stress Practical interventions that serve both wellbeing and business optimization Why institutional wellness approaches often fail independent practitioners Featured Framework Tracy's coaching approach for practice owners includes: Eight-area life assessment to identify imbalances "Threshold interventions" - small changes at critical junctures of the day Environmental modifications to reduce stress triggers Intentional calendaring and boundary-setting Integration of wellbeing strategies with business optimization Resources Mentioned Free Burnout Prevention Guide: Available at PracticeSuccess.co/resources (scroll to bottom of page), WHO's official burnout definition and 12-stage progression model Episode Quotes "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." Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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: The traditional accounting equation (revenue - expenses = profit) often leads to practice owners working for free How the Profit First system creates intentional profitability through designated bank accounts Why profitable practices deliver better patient care and attract top talent The importance of building business value for eventual sale or retirement Practical steps for implementing Profit First, starting with small, manageable changes How automated banking systems can help enforce profitability The connection between practice profitability and work-life balance Resource Highlight: "Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises" by Susanne Mariga and Mike Michalowicz Each book purchase supports girls' education in Zimbabwe through Hope Worldwide Includes specific strategies for implementing Profit First Features tax strategy and pricing guidance for business owners 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 Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram  

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. Episode Highlights: Tracy shares a humbling learning moment from her earlier facilitator days when a communication mishap taught her to prioritize understanding her audience over sticking to her agenda The importance of improv techniques as Tracy's most valuable facilitation tool for creating authentic learning moments How psychological safety feels in the body - the absence of tension and the presence of ease Creating "the least restrictive learning environment" as a cornerstone of effective facilitation Tracy's excitement about the growing emphasis on psychological safety and wellness in professional settings post-COVID Notable Quotes: "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." Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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: Tracy's journey into coaching was unexpected, transitioning from international work and consulting after a major life change The company's evolution from a general coaching practice to a specialized healthcare provider focus The importance of staying committed to your mission, even when it feels "weird" (which Tracy notes comes from the word "supernatural") How the company's vision expanded from seeking work-life flexibility to creating systemic change in healthcare The value of remaining deeply connected to client work while maintaining professional boundaries The importance of fostering team creativity and allowing new perspectives to shape the company's growth Notable Quote: "Self disclosure - if you ever want to learn what you're really made of, start a business." - Tracy Cherpeski Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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 LinkedIn Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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: The role of a fractional CFO and how it differs from a full-time CFO Why healthcare practices specifically benefit from fractional CFO services Essential KPIs every practice owner should monitor Smart strategies for cash flow management The importance of understanding your practice's payer mix How to balance clinical excellence with business acumen Key Takeaways: Practices can access high-level financial expertise without the full-time executive cost Regular weekly check-ins with a fractional CFO help maintain strategic focus Understanding cancellation and no-show rates is crucial for revenue optimization Strategic vendor payment timing can significantly improve cash flow Data visualization tools can make financial metrics more accessible and actionable Important Metrics to Track: Cancellation and no-show rates Payer mix (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay) Claims denial rates Days to payment Cash flow and burn rate 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: Website LinkedIn Instagram Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

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. Episode Highlights: The hidden transition every healthcare provider makes when opening a practice - from practitioner to CEO Why excellent clinical skills alone won't guarantee business success Three critical shifts that helped one physician cut working hours by 30% while increasing revenue Practical examples of what "CEO time" looks like in a healthcare practice The overlooked aspect of practice ownership: building a valuable, salable business How strategic delegation and systems creation can free you to lead rather than just manage Why connecting with other practice owners is crucial for leadership growth Key Insights: Working IN your practice vs. ON your practice: understanding the crucial difference The importance of dedicated CEO time for strategic planning and business development How proper systems and delegation can create a practice that's both more profitable and more enjoyable Why building a salable practice matters, even if you're not planning to sell The power of surrounding yourself with other forward-thinking healthcare leaders Free Resource Mentioned: 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. What's Next: 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. Connect With Us: Download your Practice Owner Energy Audit Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram

In this candid "snack episode," Miranda Dorta turns the tables and interviews Tracy Cherpeski about transformative moments in her coaching practice. Through unscripted conversations, Tracy shares powerful insights about working with healthcare providers, revealing how vulnerability, cultural awareness, and thoughtful leadership shape successful medical practices. From emergency room physicians transitioning to private practice to international healthcare providers navigating different systems, Tracy's experiences illuminate the common threads that connect all practice owners. Memorable Quote: "We slow down to speed up, we slow down to scale up. And so in those first four to six weeks of our work together, you're probably not gonna like me very much because I'm not going to allow you to move at the speed of light... If we're moving too fast, we miss the details, we miss the scenery, we miss the opportunities." - Tracy Cherpeski Episode Highlights: - The breakthrough moment with an ER physician-turned-practice owner who finally expressed his business uncertainties, highlighting the importance of creating safe spaces for healthcare providers to be vulnerable - How working with an Australian physician practicing in Norway challenged Tracy to abandon her usual framework and develop a more culturally responsive approach to coaching - The consistent pattern Tracy observes across practices: "tough nuts with big hearts" - highly credentialed professionals deeply committed to providing excellent patient care - The value of "slowing down to speed up" in the first 4-6 weeks of client work, allowing practice owners to spot opportunities they might miss when rushing toward goals - Tracy's insights on leadership versus management, and helping practice owners find the delicate balance between control and guidance Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page Thriving Practice Community Instagram