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5 benefits of being your own boss
Three Provide Advisory Network members share their perspectives.
Business owners can drive their career and financial trajectory, create a strong workplace culture, and support their community. But what are the tangible daily perks of healthcare practice ownership? We asked three Provide Advisory Network members, Dr. Sarah Baker, DVM, MPH, owner at Lane Veterinary; Dr. Chriska Mustafa, DDS, co-owner at Root Modern Dentistry; and Dr. Benjamin Taylor, DMD, owner at Dunwoody Dental Care, to weigh in.
1. Make decisions autonomously.
As you’re setting the course for your life and business, you have the autonomy to mold the future according to your vision and values. For healthcare practice owners, this also means prioritizing patient care.
Dr. Baker: I make decisions with the best interests of my team, patients, and their families in mind. I can quickly and efficiently develop a plan with my management team and execute it immediately, without jumping through corporate hoops.
Dr. Mustafa: Owning my practice isn’t just about being the boss; it’s about creating something that is truly mine. My decisions align with my vision and values, making my practice unique.
Dr. Taylor: I have full control to put patient care first with confidence, from both a clinical and business operations perspective.
As you’re setting the course for your life and business, you have the autonomy to mold the future according to your vision and values. For healthcare practice owners, this also means prioritizing patient care.
Dr. Baker: I make decisions with the best interests of my team, patients, and their families in mind. I can quickly and efficiently develop a plan with my management team and execute it immediately, without jumping through corporate hoops.
Dr. Mustafa: Owning my practice isn’t just about being the boss; it’s about creating something that is truly mine. My decisions align with my vision and values, making my practice unique.
Dr. Taylor: I have full control to put patient care first with confidence, from both a clinical and business operations perspective.
2. Bring your ideal workplace culture to life.
With the ability to make decisions autonomously, you have the opportunity to craft a culture that aligns with your vision and goals for your business.
Dr. Baker: I can support my team, pay my staff, and create a culture that supports my vision for work-life balance, which positively impacts my personal life and that of my family.
Dr. Mustafa: By having the freedom to use the latest technology and maintain a laid-back atmosphere, we’ve created a welcoming vibe and warm environment. Our patient-centered approach is not just good for my practice; it’s good for the soul. My team knows we’re making a positive impact on people’s lives.
Dr. Taylor: When I worked in corporate dentistry, I wished we could open the office a few hours late following the Super Bowl. This would have allowed the team to enjoy the game without worrying about an early Monday. At the time, this would not have been possible. While this may sound like a small example, it speaks to the broader ability to shape a practice's culture.
With the ability to make decisions autonomously, you have the opportunity to craft a culture that aligns with your vision and goals for your business.
Dr. Baker: I can support my team, pay my staff, and create a culture that supports my vision for work-life balance, which positively impacts my personal life and that of my family.
Dr. Mustafa: By having the freedom to use the latest technology and maintain a laid-back atmosphere, we’ve created a welcoming vibe and warm environment. Our patient-centered approach is not just good for my practice; it’s good for the soul. My team knows we’re making a positive impact on people’s lives.
Dr. Taylor: When I worked in corporate dentistry, I wished we could open the office a few hours late following the Super Bowl. This would have allowed the team to enjoy the game without worrying about an early Monday. At the time, this would not have been possible. While this may sound like a small example, it speaks to the broader ability to shape a practice's culture.
3. Own your personal and professional growth.
Owning a business provides numerous opportunities for personal and professional development in communication, delegation, strategic planning, mentorship, and more. As the boss, you can push yourself to step out of your comfort zone and develop new skills.
Dr. Baker: As a business owner, I’ve continued to develop my financial and human resource management skills.
Dr. Mustafa: I want to do dentistry, but I also really want to do business. Being a practice owner allows me to do both. I’m growing in ways I never imagined, from becoming a better leader to acquiring business skills like marketing and customer service. This growth strengthens my practice and supports my life outside of work.
Dr. Taylor: I know I’ll continue to learn more about myself, dentistry, and business.
Owning a business provides numerous opportunities for personal and professional development in communication, delegation, strategic planning, mentorship, and more. As the boss, you can push yourself to step out of your comfort zone and develop new skills.
Dr. Baker: As a business owner, I’ve continued to develop my financial and human resource management skills.
Dr. Mustafa: I want to do dentistry, but I also really want to do business. Being a practice owner allows me to do both. I’m growing in ways I never imagined, from becoming a better leader to acquiring business skills like marketing and customer service. This growth strengthens my practice and supports my life outside of work.
Dr. Taylor: I know I’ll continue to learn more about myself, dentistry, and business.
4. Customize your schedules.
When you own a business, you’re positioned to customize your hours and operations to align with what you, your team, and your customers need. You can create schedules, systems, and policies that empower you and your team to bring your best to work.
Dr. Baker: Even in an ever-changing work environment, we have a clean and consistent workflow that helps our days stay as smooth as possible.
Dr. Mustafa: As a mom of littles, I structure my workday in a way that makes me happy. This isn’t just about work hours – it’s about finding a rhythm that works for me mentally and emotionally. Maybe that means taking afternoons off to recharge or structuring my week so I can focus on the parts of the job I love most.
Dr. Taylor: At the heart of it is freedom. For business owners, we can customize when and how we work. If you want to work two days a week, or six, you can!
When you own a business, you’re positioned to customize your hours and operations to align with what you, your team, and your customers need. You can create schedules, systems, and policies that empower you and your team to bring your best to work.
Dr. Baker: Even in an ever-changing work environment, we have a clean and consistent workflow that helps our days stay as smooth as possible.
Dr. Mustafa: As a mom of littles, I structure my workday in a way that makes me happy. This isn’t just about work hours – it’s about finding a rhythm that works for me mentally and emotionally. Maybe that means taking afternoons off to recharge or structuring my week so I can focus on the parts of the job I love most.
Dr. Taylor: At the heart of it is freedom. For business owners, we can customize when and how we work. If you want to work two days a week, or six, you can!
5. Create a legacy you’re proud of.
Owning a business gives you the unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy that can be passed down generations. Your decisions as a leader have the potential to have a lasting impact on your business, community, and industry.
Dr. Baker: We are making small strides to keep veterinary medicine within the hands of private hospitals. I intend to have multiple hospitals so the pet parents in my community can have a relationship with and be understood by the veterinarian caring for their pet(s).
Dr. Mustafa: Every patient I treat, every staff member I mentor, and every decision I make shape the story of my practice. Over time, my practice can become a respected part of the community – a place people trust for great care. That’s a legacy that lasts, even after I have moved on.
Dr. Taylor: Being an owner allows me to have a personal connection with patients and ultimately results in better oral health for the community.
Owning a business gives you the unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy that can be passed down generations. Your decisions as a leader have the potential to have a lasting impact on your business, community, and industry.
Dr. Baker: We are making small strides to keep veterinary medicine within the hands of private hospitals. I intend to have multiple hospitals so the pet parents in my community can have a relationship with and be understood by the veterinarian caring for their pet(s).
Dr. Mustafa: Every patient I treat, every staff member I mentor, and every decision I make shape the story of my practice. Over time, my practice can become a respected part of the community – a place people trust for great care. That’s a legacy that lasts, even after I have moved on.
Dr. Taylor: Being an owner allows me to have a personal connection with patients and ultimately results in better oral health for the community.
Are you ready to be your own boss?
Owning your own practice isn’t just about being the boss; it’s about building something that’s uniquely yours. If you’re ready to create your legacy, pre-qualified in two minutes or less.
This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute the rendering of legal, accounting, tax, or investment advice, or other professional services by neither Provide, its affiliates, nor Fifth Third Bank, and it is being provided without any warranty whatsoever. Please consult with appropriate professionals related to your individual circumstances.