66 episodes
- In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery, Jo presents an inspiring client story featuring Dr. Emma Presern, founder of Rebellious Health. Emma shares her transformative journey from GP to entrepreneur, revealing how she turned her passion for supporting healthcare professionals into a thriving business.
Emma discusses her initial struggles with uncertainty after completing her GP training and her desire to create a unique path in healthcare. She reflects on how joining the Start Up Support Surgery programme provided her with the confidence, community, and practical knowledge she needed to launch her group programme aimed at helping doctors experiencing burnout.
Throughout their conversation, Emma highlights the importance of understanding her 'why' and who she wanted to serve, which became pivotal in shaping her business. She also emphasises the invaluable support from her peers in the programme, noting that the community aspect was instrumental in her growth and success.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the potential for healthcare professionals to redefine their careers and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Emma's story is sure to resonate with anyone contemplating a transition from traditional medical roles to innovative entrepreneurial ventures.
Key Topics Covered:
- Emma's transition from GP to entrepreneur
- The challenges of starting a business in healthcare
- The role of community and support in entrepreneurship
- Identifying your target audience and purpose
- Building a business that aligns with personal values
- Insights on overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism
To connect with Emma and learn more about Rebellious Health:
- Website: https://www.rebelliousmedic.com/
To find out and connect with Jo:
- https://www.jowatkins.com/
Don't forget to download your free PDF guide, From Stethoscope to Startup, available in the show notes!
Introduction to Emma's journey Challenges faced after GP training The impact of joining the Start Up Support Surgery programme Key learnings and light bulb moments The importance of community support Next steps for Rebellious Health Advice for healthcare professionals considering entrepreneurship
https://drjowatkins.mykajabi.com/freemembership
Liu Batchelor can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liubatchelor?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios - In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery, Jo presents a captivating client story featuring Dr. Mari Walling, a GP and co-founder of the online menopause clinic, Lamala Health. Mari shares her transformative journey from redundancy to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges she faced as she sought structure and purpose after leaving her traditional medical role.
Mari candidly discusses her experience joining the Start Up Support Surgery programme alongside her co-founder, Dr Emma Ginns. With a strong desire for organisation and a plan, she embraced the programme's resources, including community calls and masterclasses, which provided the guidance she needed to navigate the world of business.
Throughout their conversation, Mari reflects on the importance of showing up consistently, particularly on social media, and how this commitment has led to a growing patient base for Lamala Health.
She describes Jo as a "bird launcher," crediting her support and mentorship for helping her and Emma build a thriving online clinic and regain their confidence in this new venture.
This episode is an inspiring reminder of the power of community, structure, and the entrepreneurial spirit, particularly for healthcare professionals considering a leap into the business world.
Key Topics Covered:
- Mari's transition from redundancy to entrepreneurship
- The role of structure in navigating business challenges
- Importance of consistency in marketing and social media
- Building an online clinic and attracting patients
- The value of community support in entrepreneurship
- Insights on finding the right business mentor
To connect with Mari and learn more about Lamala Health:
- Website: https://www.lemalahealth.co.uk/
To find out and connect with Jo:
- https://www.jowatkins.com/
Download free Stethoscope to Start up here
https://drjowatkins.mykajabi.com/freemembership
Connect with Liu Batchelor here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liubatchelor?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios - In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery, Jo introduces a special summer series featuring inspiring client stories from her coaching programme. This week, we hear from the remarkable Dr. Ruth Machin, a former consultant radiologist turned health coach and YouTuber.
Ruth shares her transformative journey from the NHS to entrepreneurship, detailing the challenges she faced after leaving medicine due to health issues and her determination to carve out a new path.
During this conversation, Ruth reflects on her initial struggles with identity and purpose, feeling like a 'failed doctor' as she transitioned into the business world.
Ruth also discuss the importance of community support and mentorship in navigating this unfamiliar landscape, highlighting how Ruth's experiences within the Start Up Support Surgery programme helped her regain her confidence and find her voice.
Ruth candidly shares her key breakthroughs, including the realisation that effective marketing is essential for success and the courage it took to embrace social media as a platform for her new business. Her journey has led to the launch of a thriving coaching business focused on empowering women over 50, alongside her growing YouTube channel.
This episode is a heartfelt testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of community in entrepreneurship. Ruth's story is sure to resonate with anyone considering a leap into the business world, particularly those from a medical background.
Key Topics Covered:
- Ruth's transition from consultant radiologist to health coach
- The impact of chronic health issues on career and identity
- The role of community and mentorship in entrepreneurship
- Key breakthroughs in marketing and social media
- Building a coaching business for women over 50
- The importance of purpose and personal growth in business
To connect with Ruth:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRuthMachin
To find out and connect with Jo:
- https://www.jowatkins.com/
Download free Stethoscope to Start up here
https://drjowatkins.mykajabi.com/freemembership
Liu Batchelor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liubatchelor?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios Episode #62: Facebook Ads, Navigating Audience Growth and Developing An Agency as a Medical Student - with Tiarnan McKeever
20/07/2026 | 40 mins.In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery, Jo is joined by the fabulous Tiernan, founder of KeCatalyst. With a unique background in healthcare and a passion for entrepreneurship, Tiernan shares his journey from medical school to building a successful marketing agency that supports healthcare professionals.
As they delve into Tiernan's experiences, he discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced while transitioning from medicine to business. He reflects on the initial financial motivations that led him to explore side hustles during his studies and how that evolved into a thriving agency focused on paid advertising and CRM management.
Throughout the conversation, Tiernan emphasises the importance of understanding one's target audience and the strategic use of paid ads to scale a business. He provides valuable insights into the mindset required for entrepreneurship, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of building strong local connections before expanding into broader markets.
This episode is filled with practical advice for healthcare professionals considering a leap into entrepreneurship, particularly in the realms of marketing and patient engagement. Tiernan's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of aligning business goals with personal values.
Key Topics Covered:
- Tiernan's journey from medical school to entrepreneurship
- The founding of Kay Catalyst and its focus on healthcare marketing
- The role of paid advertising in business growth
- Strategies for building local connections and community engagement
- The significance of mentorship and continuous learning
- Balancing business ambitions with personal values and lifestyle
Key Takeaways:
1. Align your business idea with your long-term lifestyle goals.
2. Build strong local connections before expanding your reach.
3. Invest in mentorship and continuous learning to navigate challenges.
4. Understand your target audience and tailor your marketing strategies accordingly.
5. Test your business model with a warm audience before scaling with paid ads.
To connect with Tiernan:
- Website: https://growth.kesocials.com/us/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiarn%C3%A1nmckeever/
To find out and connect with Jo:
- https://www.jowatkins.com/Episode #61: CQC, Family Inspirations, Through The Pharmaceutical World And Into Her Own Business - with Lucy Buckley
06/07/2026 | 52 mins.In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery, Jo is joined by the remarkable Lucy, founder of Digital Health Assurance. Lucy shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early fascination with business to her experiences in the pharmaceutical industry and the launch of her first venture, Dr. Fertility.
With a unique blend of healthcare expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, Lucy discusses the intricacies of navigating the Care Quality Commission (CQC) landscape and the importance of building solid foundations in a healthcare business.
As they delve into the world of investment and funding, Lucy provides invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of securing financial backing for a startup. She emphasises the importance of choosing the right investors and building a supportive network, highlighting the transferable skills that healthcare professionals bring to the entrepreneurial table.
The conversation also touches on the realities of starting a clinical practice, the significance of compliance, and the continuous journey of personal and professional growth. Lucy's passion for patient safety and quality improvement shines through as she shares her experiences and advice for those looking to embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights for healthcare professionals considering the leap into entrepreneurship, particularly in the digital health space. Lucy's story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of community in the face of challenges.
Key Topics Covered:
- Lucy's journey from pharmacy to entrepreneurship
- The launch of Dr. Fertility and navigating the CQC
- Insights into investment rounds and choosing the right backers
- Building solid foundations for healthcare businesses
- The importance of community and mentorship in entrepreneurship
- Practical advice for starting a clinical practice
Key Takeaways:
1. Understand the regulatory landscape as an enabler, not a barrier.
2. Build strong foundations in your business to support growth.
3. Choose your investors wisely and trust your instincts.
4. Leverage your healthcare expertise in the business world.
5. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers.
To find out and connect with Jo:
- https://www.jowatkins.com/
For more information about Lucy and Digital Health Assurance:
- Website: https://www.digitalhealthassurance.co.uk/
- Email: lucy@digitalhealthassurance.co.uk
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-buckley-phd/
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About The Start Up Support Surgery
Introducing the Start Up Support Surgery hosted by Dr Jo Watkins —a podcast tailored for medics and healthcare heroes ready to blend their medical expertise with entrepreneurship. Dive into a world where you juggle your medical calling with building a business or side hustle, carving out flexibility amidst the chaos of work and family life. Discover a new realm of aiding others beyond the NHS's constraints.
Starting a venture isn't a walk in the park—it's a wild ride of emotions and learning curves. With two decades of balancing medicine and business as a GP, I'm thrilled to share my experiences, insights, and conversations with experts and fellow healthcare professionals. Join me on this journey of growth, exploration, and empowerment—because your entrepreneurial story starts here.
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