START: How to Counsel Your First 5 Clients and Keep Them Coming Back

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and team member Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, to talk about the START stage of business, the time where you transition from setting up your private practice to seeing your first clients. We'll explore the emotions, challenges, and action steps involved in this stage, focusing on the importance of developing strong counseling skills and effective customer service strategies.  Whether you're just starting to see clients in your private practice or looking to refine your counseling approach, this episode offers valuable insights and resources to help you keep clients coming back. Characteristics of Dietitians in the START Stage: Highlights the experience of working with dietitians and the importance of counseling skills. Thoughts and Feelings in the START Stage: Discusses the excitement, overwhelm, and hopefulness experienced by dietitians in this stage. Challenges in the START Stage: Identifies selling services and customer service as key challenges for dietitians. Requirements to Move Forward: Stresses the need for strong counseling skills and forming therapeutic alliances. Celebrating the START Stage: Encourages recognizing the importance of work and passion in fueling business growth.   By understanding the unique dynamics and realistic expectations of the START stage, you'll be better equipped to counsel clients and make an impact with your business.    Timestamps:  04:49 START Stage of Business: Explanation of the transition from SET UP to START stage, focusing on seeing first clients. 05:49 Counseling Skills and Client Retention: Emphasis on developing counseling skills to retain clients and build therapeutic relationships. 08:28 Challenges in the START Stage: Discussion of common feelings and challenges, including selling services and managing customer service. 13:12 Ideal Clients and Business Growth: Encouragement to experiment with different client types to identify ideal clients. 14:08 Counseling Skills Toolkit: Announcement of an upcoming Counseling Skills Toolkit focusing on counseling and customer service. Join the waitlist today. 15:31 Celebrating the START Stage: Recognition of the significance of the START stage in feeling fulfilled as a dietitian.   Navigating the START stage is not just about getting clients. It's about becoming a confident, capable counselor for your clients, which is the foundation of your private practice.    🧑‍💻Want more from Pursuing Private Practice?  Business School is officially open for enrollment, and it's the best way to get direct support for your private practice. This program combines business coaching, accountability, office hours, and the most supportive community of dietitians you'll find.  Plus, it includes a full curriculum designed to help you at every stage, whether you're seeing your first clients, refining your marketing, or ready to hire a team.  With Business School evolving into a mastermind experience, you'll have access to two tracks: one for starting and growing your practice, and one for leading and building your team. No matter where you are, you'll get the resources, support, and confidence to run your business like a CEO. Enrollment closes July 25th, so now's the time to join us and take the next step toward building a business that works for your life. 🤝Want to improve your counseling skills?  Join the Nutrition Counseling Skills Toolkit Waitlist, launching Fall 2025! This brand-new toolkit is designed to equip dietitians with the essential counseling strategies they need to effectively support their clients. Whether you're just starting your private practice or looking to sharpen your skills as you grow, this resource will help you: Build confidence in your counseling sessions Strengthen your communication techniques Navigate tough conversations with compassion Enhance client motivation and engagement Integrate evidence-based counseling methods into your unique style of counseling   Join the waitlist today!  ✔️Want to see what private practice is all about?  Download The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice and get step-by-step guidance to start your business with confidence. Take the first step toward more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment today.  📱 Find us on Instagram @pursuing.private.practice