Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lacey Naematullah, Founder of The Empowered Nurse, located in Wharton, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Empowered Nurse is a company with a mission to support nurses and nursing students with beating the anxiety, overwhelm, and lack of clarity in their lives that so often stops those in our profession from living with satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy. We offer services, mainly in the form of mentorship, to support nurses and students with developing self and clinical confidence, building their dream life and career, and integrating a personalized work-life balance that feels amazing to each individual.
Our core program, The Empowered Nurse Mentorship, is designed to be self-paced with a live and community component. Each week new modules are dropped out to attendees, and a live coaching call is available along with The Empowered Nurse Mentorship community. The community consists of Mentorship alumni, Nurse Mentors, and other cohort members!
Tell us about yourself
I used to be a middle school science teacher, and while I was really great at the job, I struggled with my mental health a ton while I worked in that role. So much so that at my lowest moment, I had to decide to get out of the headspace, I was in OR... go to a hospital and be treated. I started then (about eight years ago) working on my mental health by way of personal development. I learned so much, and when I got into nursing school, I was EASILY able to apply what I had learned and fell in love with understanding nursing content. I thrived in school; the same was true when I became a new nurse and was on orientation.
Things came naturally to me, and I did not struggle in the same way some of my peers were struggling. In fact, I was surprised to find out that several of my peers had left the profession altogether within 6-8 months because of their lack of confidence and support. That shocking revelation and other nurses asking me how I was so "happy" as a nurse got me thinking... why isn't everyone? I realized it was several things: a lack of confidence, a lack of work-life balance, and a lack of career clarity that kept many of the nurses in my circle unhappy. So I decided to do something about it!
I started helping nurses during my time off with personal development, and from that point forward, I have never looked back! I truly believe that every nurse has the ability to find joy in the profession IF they are meant to be a nurse, and I am on a mission to support nurses to discover their happiness! If we have happier, more fulfilled, satisfied nurses, we can have a MAJOR impact on our healthcare system. Happier nurses mean better patient outcomes, means more change for our system, means healthier communities, and HOPEFULLY, one day, some of the issues that plague nurses now (like short staffing and lack of resources) will be obsolete because aligned action was taken by nurses who found incredible solutions!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My greatest accomplishment as a business owner has been accreditation for our signature program by the American Holistic Nurses Association, which is a national association with a rigorous application process for continuing education approval. The accreditation proved that what The Empowered Nurse Mentorship is doing for nurses is valid, is needed, and works. I am so proud of the results we have obtained with hundreds of students and nurses matriculating through the program! Building happier nurses one life at a time is my biggest accomplishment!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is that it is 100% all on you. Until your business model is one in which you are no longer a doer, much of the work and outcomes fall on the owner! I love what I do, and I know that we are headed in such an incredible growth direction; however, sometimes managing the business with the needs of my son with special needs is very challenging!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do not just start a business because it's sexy. You have to be passionate about what you are building and believe that it can grow! If it is not your passion, it will fail!
- Be very clear on what success looks like for YOU, and do not get caught up in the shininess of making a million dollars. Making a lot of money comes with its hardships, too. It's okay if success in your business looks like helping ONE PERSON at a time!
- Take your time. So many people give up when they think, "it's not working out." Business ownership is FULL of ebbs and flows; go with them! Constantly ask yourself, "what am I learning right now?"
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theempowerednurse.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Laceymagen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-naematullah-26454b176/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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