5 Business Lessons I’ve Learned After One Year as a Nurse Entrepreneur
Wow, I can't believe I’m saying this, but I’ve officially been in business for one full year! March 2025 marks my first anniversary as a nurse entrepreneur, and honestly, it feels like it all happened so fast. So today, I wanted to take a moment to share something a little different from my usual content. I’m dedicating podcast episode #7 (and blog post) to the lessons I’ve learned along the way as a nurse entrepreneur.
Now, I know this might not be exactly the type of nursing you’re interested in, and it might not be something you’ve ever considered. Heck, some of you might just be trying to survive nursing school! But hear me out: when I started my business, I NEVER envisioned myself as a business owner. It wasn’t part of my plan, and I was more than happy being a nurse. But somewhere along the way, my path veered in an unexpected direction, and now here I am. And who knows—maybe some of you reading this have a side hustle or even a passion for a career that’s a little bit outside the traditional hospital grind. Or maybe you’re just curious to see what nurse entrepreneurship is all about. Either way, I encourage you to stick with me as I share five lessons I’ve learned since starting my coaching business in March 2024.
Let’s get into it!
1. Surround Yourself with Highly Motivated People
The first lesson I learned was the importance of surrounding yourself with people who inspire, motivate, and challenge you. When I first started my business, I had no idea what I was doing. I filed my LLC, and suddenly, I was bombarded by ads and messages from online coaches promising to “10x my business” overnight—at prices that were, frankly, laughable. These coaches didn’t know anything about my business, my target audience, or my goals. And yet, they were asking for thousands of dollars to help me scale a business I had barely even started!
To say I was flabbergasted would be an understatement. I had barely set up a website and had yet to make any sales, but these people were pushing five-figure coaching packages. No way! But I didn’t give up on learning. Instead of spending money I didn’t have, I turned to free resources: podcasts, books, and social media. Through this, I found other nurse entrepreneurs who were in similar stages of business, and we started connecting online.
In May 2024, I created the Nurse Entrepreneur Society (NES)—a community for nurses with a passion for business and entrepreneurship. Every month, we pick a business topic, share resources, and meet to discuss everything from wins and challenges to strategies and brainstorms. This group became my accountability system, motivation booster, and a space where I could share frustrations, brainstorm ideas, and find support.
Nurse Entrepreneur Society Logo
The impact of having a supportive community cannot be overstated. From my viral videos to a steady increase in business sales, it’s clear that the power of community is real. And during one particularly challenging time, when I was hit with a legal issue (I’ll get to that in a minute), it was NES that helped me stay afloat and gave me the strength to keep going.
Lesson takeaway: Surround yourself with individuals who share your goals and passions. You need people who understand your vision and will support you through the highs and lows of your entrepreneurial journey.
2. Nothing Great Was Built Overnight
When I first launched my business, I expected to see immediate results. After all, social media is full of stories about businesses that exploded overnight, right? But spoiler alert: that’s rarely the reality.
In my first few months, I sold just a few digital courses—and in April 2024, I didn’t make a single sale. It took me seven months to break even (i.e., make more money than I was spending on my business). Building an online presence and reputation takes time, and success doesn’t happen overnight.
Most of the so-called “overnight success stories” you see on social media have taken years of hard work behind the scenes. Business is a marathon, not a sprint. I learned that I needed systems in place to handle customers, and that takes time to develop. The “overnight” successes? They're often not as fast as they seem—or not real at all.
Lesson takeaway: Patience is key in business. Focus on delayed gratification, and don’t expect immediate rewards for your hard work. Real success takes time, dedication, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
3. Protect Your Passion and Put Your Blinders On
This might seem like two separate lessons, but they go hand-in-hand. As an entrepreneur, protecting your passion and putting your blinders on are essential if you want to avoid burnout and self-doubt.
When I first started, I was nervous to share my business idea with anyone. I didn’t want to be met with criticism or doubt from those who didn’t understand my vision. My husband, for instance, is very logical and loves predictability—entrepreneurship, with all its unpredictability, was difficult for him to grasp at first. And honestly, not everyone in my life understood my vision. But I had to realize that it didn’t matter.
When you’re starting out, protect your passion by being selective about who you share your ideas with. It’s important to guard your fragile state and avoid people who might project their limiting beliefs onto you.
Secondly, put your blinders on. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, especially on social media. You see someone with more followers or a more polished business, and it’s easy to think you’re behind. But comparison is the thief of joy, and it only fuels self-doubt. Keep your focus on your own journey, progress, and goals.
Lesson takeaway: Be protective of your ideas, and avoid comparing your progress to others. Stay focused on your own path and remind yourself that you’re exactly where you need to be.
4. You Will Learn More About Yourself Than You Ever Thought Possible
Entrepreneurship is the ultimate mirror. You learn a lot about your strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, your mindset.
When I started putting myself out there on social media, I felt so vulnerable. I was terrified of what people would think, but the more I did it, the less I cared about other people’s opinions. That’s the thing about being an entrepreneur: it forces you to confront your inner fears and self-limiting beliefs.
Through this journey, I also learned something surprising about myself: I have ADHD. I’d always been good at school and assumed I didn’t have attention issues. But as I navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, I realized my tendency to hyperfocus on certain tasks was a clue. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 34, and now I use strategies like weekly planning to stay organized and productive.
Being an entrepreneur helped me break free from societal expectations, like the notion that we must work a 9-to-5 job until retirement. Now, I’m focused on creating multiple streams of income, including rental properties, and planning for a future I actually want—not one prescribed to me by society.
Lesson takeaway: Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for self-discovery. It pushes you to confront fears and embrace personal growth.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Give Things Away for Free
When I first started my business, I was hesitant to give away information or resources for free. I thought, "Why should I give away my knowledge if I can charge for it?" But over time, I realized that offering free value is one of the best ways to build trust and credibility with your audience.
I now host a free monthly webinar for new nurses, sharing tips and strategies for acing interviews. And while I could easily charge for this content, I’ve found that giving it away for free has been incredibly rewarding. Not only does it help me build relationships with my ideal customers, but it also gives me an opportunity to showcase my expertise. I’ve had attendees tell me that my tips helped them land their dream jobs, and that’s worth more to me than any fee.
Lesson takeaway: Giving away free content can actually increase your credibility and help you connect with your ideal customers. You’ll find that it pays off in ways you never expected!
So, there you have it!
Five lessons I’ve learned in my first year as a nurse entrepreneur. To recap:
Surround yourself with motivated people.
Success takes time—nothing great was built overnight.
Protect your passion and put your blinders on.
Entrepreneurship is a journey of self-discovery.
Don’t be afraid to give away valuable information for free.
Whether you’re just starting out in nursing or exploring business as a side hustle, I hope these lessons help you on your journey. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, but for those who feel called to it, it can be an incredibly rewarding and life-changing experience.
And remember: No matter where you are on your path, keep going. You’ve got this!
Caroline
PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School Podcast Episode 7