Jennifer McGurk RDN

In the latest episode of my new podcast series, we’re talking with four dietitians who learned to EMBRACE the uncertainty of the past year. We discuss the importance of taking the time to reflect back on our trials, creating a responsive business model, and taking care of ourselves. This is the third episode of this new series (don't worry, we have plenty more!), and I would love to take this time to hear how YOU dealt with the crazy ride that was 2020!

Ask anyone why they decided to go into nutrition and I can almost guarantee you that their answer will NOT be to make a lot of money In any number of ways, most of us chose this field because we want to help people. But for some reason wanting to help people has also routinely been associated with "not wanting money"... But why can't it be both?? I don't know about you - but I want to keep changing lives AND also make money. I believe that when we all make more money... as dietitians, it will only strengthen our field and create lasting change in our society: WHY we became dietitians in the first place. I am especially talking to non-diet dietitians: just think if this philosophy was the "norm" and all of the money that goes to the "traditional diet industry" was in our pockets?? Just think about the power in that and what change would happen in the world. Can I get a hands up if you agree?! See more

Do you know about funnels? I've done a couple of trainings that have included this image and every single time multiple participants come back to tell me what a lightbulb moment it was for them. One of the best ways to grow your business is to think about your ideal client and your ideal offer for said ideal client. You need to understand the journey your client goes through in order to find you, buy something from you, and continue coming back to you. This will help you d...evelop your funnel and a huge chunk of your business strategy! This is also how you begin to narrow down who your ideal client really is so you can start saying no to clients that aren't the best fit. Remember, if you want to GROW you need to become really comfortable with saying NO. What questions do you have about marketing funnels? See more

I am LOVING this special 2021 podcast series catching up with former podcast guests! This latest episode features four dietitians who have experienced growth in their businesses in 2020. If we aren’t intentional about pausing to celebrate our growth and wins, we might just pass it by. Listen in to hear these dietitians recognize the lessons they learned in 2020 and acknowledge the growth they’ve experienced.

We put SO MUCH work into our businesses! We lose sleep combing through Google tabs , we invest in ourselves, in our technology, in our systems, and we boldly put ourselves out there so that we can do what we do best help people! But we were never meant to wear all of the hats all of the time. I understand that hiring your first team member can be terrifying. After all, just because we know how to run our own business doesn’t mean we know how to be the boss of anyone else ...but hiring a team can also be fun and exciting and a strong indicator of GROWTH in your business! When it really comes down to it, hiring someone is a process. You don’t just decide to hire someone and see everything click into place on day one. You will have to train someone in how your business works, make sure that your personalities mesh well together, and maintain open lines of communication. Hiring someone can feel like a lot of work initially, but it is so worth it in the long run. If you missed it before, check out my podcast with https://taylorannemoser.com/ (episode 54) to hear a few tips and tricks to consider when hiring your first team member!

Hand up if you have 32 Google tabs open right now! Oh yes, I’ve been there too! In fact, I actually thought about opening a private practice for YEARS while feeling burnt out, unfulfilled, and unmotivated at a traditional 9-5. But even that simple decision of saying "yes" to private practice in the FUTURE took me a while because I was so scared!! I wasted about 2 years held back in fear. Looking back, I WISH I had done things differently. In 2010, I finally said YES! I wa...s ready to open up a private practice. Here is where I wasted yet another year trying to figure out forms, handouts, and trying to build a website all on my own. During that year, I didn't even think about marketing, office space, or how I was going to make connections to get clients. Again, looking back, I WISH I had done things differently. I know fear held me back. I was scared to open because I was scared of doing things wrong. This is why I am so passionate about helping others succeed in business. My mission is to support you with resources, knowledge, and steps that you need to thrive in business. I know it’s scary but I want empower you and have you know that you can do hard things

I’m so excited to share this podcast episode with the powerhouse Courtney Vickery of https://www.vickerywellness.com/! Courtney has had SUCH an interesting journey to her private practice so far and it was so fun learning more about the jobs she’s had, her family’s influence on her decision start a private practice, and a little peek into all of the things that go into running a private practice! I love that Courtney is so relatable in this episode and so open to talking abou...t the different things that have and have not worked with her. Topics we discuss in today’s episode include: The many, many hats a dietitian can wear Entrepreneurship running in the family How trainings can sometimes lead to imposter syndrome Feeling the fear and doing it anyways Different ways to cater to your ideal client I would love for you to listen and then come back here to share how one of your past experiences influenced you to start (or look into starting!) your own private practice!

You do not need a million followers on social media to have a successful business. Yeah, I said it! Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest they’re all just one marketing platform. Some people do extremely well using them, others ingratiate them as a part of a larger strategy, and PLENTY don’t have them at all! The important thing is finding what works for YOU. If you don’t want to spend hours developing content, engaging with followers, and looking for new ones don’t! You’ll bur...n out and start to resent the platforms and your business will be none the better for it. There are SO many ways to market your business instead! Network with local professionals (you can do this virtually, too!), establish a referral network, partner with someone who does have a large social media presence, or develop a free resource to advertise! Figure out where YOUR clients are and go there. I will note one last thing some people HAVE built their businesses on social media. And there is nothing wrong with this. But I WILL caution you about building your business on a platform you do not own. If you have found success with any platform, I would suggest you replicate those efforts on a platform you do own

I’m so excited to share this AMAZING episode with Christine Dyan Thomson of https://www.moneymindsetdietitian.com/ with you (go give her some virtual hugs)! Truly, this whole episode felt like one big inspirational pep talk and I think you are going to love it. Christine is all about asking you to think BIGGER and challenging the idea that helping people and making a lot of money are somehow mutually exclusive concepts. In this episode we talk about: Christine’s journey to... becoming a dietitian and the importance of coaching How she became the money dietitian The role that YOU making money plays in social justice What mindset work is And so much more! I would love to have you listen to this episode and come back here to share any lightbulb moments you had! >> Listen here: https://buff.ly/2IWUizr

YES! You do NOT have to have it all figured out right away!! As @eatingmindfullyllc says on the Pursuing Private Practice podcast a few episodes ago, it's totally okay to explore what works for you as a business owner. Just like anything in life, school and the internship can only prepare us for so much. Some people know IMMEDIATELY where their passion lies and that’s awesome. But some of us need to experience more of the millions of hats we can wear as dietitians to figure... out where we can make the impact we want! Nutrition is such a broad field that you can do so many amazing things in. If you’re not entirely sure what you want to do that’s okay! Get curious, try things out, and remember that you can ALWAYS change your mind! I, for one, am excited to see what you all do Tell me in the comments what you do, have done, or want to do!

Can I get a hands up for the amazing Penelope Taylor of Stellar Health Nutrition?! I couldn't cheer louder for her "best tip for dietitians" because it's so true and I know it is SO hard! Want to learn more? Check her out at https://buff.ly/30WGdrL. Why are you an anti-diet dietitian? Because whole mind and body health is found in a balanced, nutritionally sound eating pattern -- not in fad diets, body shaming, or calorie restriction. ... Why are you Pursuing Private Practice? I am looking to share private practice experience and inspiration with other like-minded dietitians. Name one bucket list career goal: I would dearly love to do a television segment on nutrition. Best tip for other dietitians? Don't let self-doubt stand in the way of your brilliance!

So many of us in private practice get to the point where we realize we may need a little help be it hiring another dietitian, a virtual assistant, a web designer, or anything! It’s a good problem to have if that was your aim but it can still feel a bit overwhelming, which is why I am SO excited to share this Pursuing Private Practice podcast episode with Courtney Bellino (@feedandflourish.rd) with you! Courtney, who is now fully booked , has officially hit that fork in the... road, and we talk all about it in this episode! Topics we cover include: Her journey to intuitive eating How she prepared for hiring a new team member Hiring for your strengths and weaknesses So many of the considerations that come with hiring someone And so much more! I would love for you to listen and ask any questions you may have below!

You are an amazing and capable dietitian. You’ve been through organic chemistry, anatomy, and medical nutrition therapy. You matched to an internship and worked your tail off for 1200 hours in numerous specialties. You PASSED the RD exam! You are strong and determined to make a positive impact on this world. You can do hard things! ... I know you want everything to be perfect but I promise you, once you take the plunge, it gets better! As @nutritionforhope says on the latest Pursuing Private Practice podcast episode, the first decision (to START) is the hardest, but once you’ve got that out of the way, each step gets a little easier than the one before. You’ve got this (and we're all rooting for you!)

I would LOVE to welcome you with open arms into Dietitian Business School!!! Come join THE PLACE to hang out if you want to work on your business and make a difference in this world. Business coaching + supervision + self-care + accountability + community all in one... Enrollment ends tonight at midnight! The next open date is January https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/dietitianbusinessschool/ See more

Can I get a hands up for the awesome DBS dietitian Stephanie Dorfman?! I can relate SO MUCH to her reason for becoming an anti-diet dietitian - what about you?! Why are you an anti-diet dietitian? I am an anti-diet dietitian because I am tired of hearing everyone talk about food like it's bad for them, or they're scared of it, or they just don't understand it!! A major reason why I became a dietitian is because I love food - cooking, eating, how it brings people togeth...er, and how it fuels our body for exercise. Everyone deserves to have a good relationship with food and to find how food and flexibility meet in their lives :) Why are you Pursuing Private Practice? I am Pursuing Private Practice because over the years my confidence as an anti-diet dietitian has grown! It has grown to the point where I felt the need to share my passion for Intuitive Eating and weight inclusive nutrition with as many people as I could reach. The Pursuing Private Practice Course was the extra boost I needed to feel comfortable in my decision - and Jennifer is the most wonderful cheerleader and overall person who has created this community of incredible dietitians to connect with! I am so excited to continue learning, connecting, and spreading the anti-diet message. Name one bucket list career goal: To reach a point where I feel comfortable mentoring, teaching, and sharing what I have learned with other dietitians and RDs to be. Best tip for other dietitians? Always keep your doors open! You never know what an opportunity will bring. Take the leap, be scared, ask questions, but also be excited because who knows where this opportunity will lead you. Check her out on instagram at @stephanie.dorfman!

I will admit, I was not always so open to talking about money. Even today it still makes me a little nervous! I think it is a combination of fear, doubt, and people-pleasing. So many of us in this field feel shame around the subject of money for many reasons. But at the same time, many of us want to make more money, so we have to talk about this!! In this episode of the Pursuing Private Practice I talk about: How I believe money CAN do good in this world Investing, in you...rself and in your business Shame around money My thoughts on how money is related to self-care Charging what you are worth And more! I know this episode won’t resonate with everyone, but I would love for you to listen and then come back here to talk about it!!

I am soooo excited to come to the Genesee Dietetic Association and present on private practice!!! Come join me! Monday October 26th at 3:00pm eastern. The link to sign up is within this event! A big thank you to Jen Haefele for organizing!

What do you get when combine the best of business coaching + supervision + strategy + accountability + community all in one? DIETITIAN BUSINESS SCHOOL! Dietitian Business School is the Go-To Resource for like-minded dietitians who want to build a private practice and expand their business. Figure out your business strategy that is realistic for you: You get a business lesson each week to help you grow your business + roadmap for each lesson that specific to your busi...ness strategy (YOU get to call the shots based on your life) Keep your clients coming back: Case consultation and supervision to help you support your clients and strengthen your skills Stay on track: Access to our Facebook group for support and accountability Connection every week: We host 4 group calls/month (each worth 1 CEU credit!): 1 call on business strategy to create your business plan for the month, 1 call on a self-care topic, 2 calls/month for group supervision. We also co-work every Monday together! Hang out with awesome dietitians that are growing a business: I'm totally biased, but the Pursuing Private Practice dietitians are the best community of dietitians that support one another through all the ups and downs. I want you to take up the space you deserve in the business world!! Check out and see if this is a match for you See more

You are supposed to be uncomfortable. You know this. We all know this! Big decisions in life are uncomfortable. When you make decisions from a place of where you want to be (vs. where you are right now) you stretch yourself to a new level.... I am convinced that making these decisions is a little bit like exposure therapy. The first decision (to START) is the hardest!! Once you get that exposure out of the way, every other decision you make is hard but it's a little bit easier than the one before. You can do uncomfortable, hard things. After all, we ask our clients to do these things alllll the time. I say get used to doing hard things and show up for yourself

Can I get a for Taylor of https://www.taylorwolfram.com/!? I absolutely LOVE her reason for being an anti-diet dietitian - there is so much more to living than the various measurements we're told our bodies must ascribe to! And her business tip is ! Why are you an anti-diet dietitian? I am an anti-diet dietitian because food rules and body preoccupation keep too many people from living the life they want and deserve. ... Why are you Pursuing Private Practice? I love working for myself because I get to do a fulfilling variety of work including working with one-on-one clients, writing, speaking and my current big project: creating an e-course! Name one bucket list career goal: To have a stable business and work-life balance at the same time! Best tip for other dietitians? When it comes to building a business, be patient and stay committed. We all started somewhere! Don't focus too much on rushing to get where other business owners appear to be - you might miss out on important lessons and experiences along the way.

Today is the FINAL day of the marketing bootcamp and we are talking about selling! Eeeek! I know. Selling can be SO awkward! This isn’t something we’re generally taught in all of our education and it can feel very counterintuitive. But I want you to remember that your client is LOOKING for help and if you don’t help them, they WILL find someone else (please don’t let them continue with diet culture!!). In today’s video I give you a couple of examples of ways to ask for the sale that don’t sound sales-y did any of the resonate with you?

Dietitians do SO MUCH. You could put 100 dietitians in a room (well, not today ha!) and 95% of them could work with a different type of patient! That’s part of what I love about this profession and part of why marketing is SO important for private practice dietitians! In today’s bootcamp lesson we talk about marketing where our ideal client IS and what that means. Do you specialize in intuitive eating? Eating disorders? Picky eaters? Sports nutrition? Where are your future clients hanging out? Where do they do business? What are they googling?! These are the types of questions you need to be asking yourself to make sure you aren’t wasting your efforts. Have you listened to today’s lesson? If so I would love to hear one of the places that your ideal client is hanging out!