The Power of Supervision To Build Confidence, Prevent Burnout, and Grow Your Practice
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Fiona Sutherland, founder of and an experienced supervisor of dietitians. Together, they explore why supervision is often the missing piece in a dietitian’s career, how it can evolve into a meaningful and sustainable business offering, and what it really looks like at every stage of professional growth. Jennifer shares how supervision became essential to her long-term sustainability—helping her build stronger boundaries in business while also deepening her clinical skills to better...
info_outline
What Worked, What Didn’t, and What We’re Changing in 2026
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Courtney Vickery, CEO of , to kick off Season 4 of the podcast. Together, they talk about the wins, the challenges, and the lessons learned in 2025 and how those experiences are shaping their goals for 2026. Jennifer shares how personal experiences shifted her perspective on business and leadership, while Courtney reflects on hitting capacity in her own company and learning how to simplify her work. They also discuss their “word of the year,” what sustainable business growth really looks...
info_outline
Leading a Business That Lets You Live Your Life
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the This episode wraps up Season 3 of the podcast. We'll be back for Season 4 this fall! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Hannah Turnbull, founder of , a group practice specializing in eating disorders, and a business coach at . Hannah shares her journey of building and leading a thriving group practice, the challenges and rewards of managing a team, and her bold decision to step away for an 18-week sabbatical. Together, they dive into leadership, company culture, burnout, and what it really takes to create a sustainable business that supports both...
info_outline
Fractional Practice Management for Group Practice Owners
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Charlie Golighlty, founder of Group Practice Partner, a fractional practice management partner for strategic, mission-aligned support. Charlie shares why so many solo clinicians and group-practice owners feel like they’re juggling too many hats and constantly putting out fires, and how bringing in someone who understands both the clinical world and the language of business can transform that chaos into clarity. If you’ve ever felt burnt out in the day-to-day business operations and are ready to step back, see...
info_outline
COAST: A Business Strategy When Life Comes First
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and team member Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, to talk about the COAST stage of business. Join them to discuss the importance of coasting as a business owner, how it can be a strategic and intentional phase, and the benefits it brings to personal and professional life. When you’re a business owner, the need to COAST can come up at any time, sometimes planned, and sometimes unplanned. Whether you think you’ll be coasting anytime soon or not, this episode will leave you feeling confident when it’s your...
info_outline
LEAD: Hire, Manage, and Build Your Private Practice Team
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and team member Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, to talk about the LEAD stage of business. This stage is focused on the importance of hiring and leading a team. Hear insights on how dietitians can step into leadership roles, overcome the fear of hiring, and build a sustainable business. Whether you already have a team, are ready to hire, or may want to hire in the future, this episode is for you. Introduction to the LEAD Stage: Learn why hiring is essential for expanding your business without...
info_outline
GROW: What It Really Takes to Get Fully Booked on Your Terms
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and team member Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, to talk about the GROW stage of business. This is a stage where you'll focus on expanding your reach, refining your marketing strategies, and implementing new systems, all while continuing to serve your clients effectively. This stage of business is all about getting fully booked but on your terms. In this episode, Jennifer walks you through the ups and downs and practical advice for marketing, finances, and much more. Whether you're looking to refine your...
info_outline
START: How to Counsel Your First 5 Clients and Keep Them Coming Back
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the 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...
info_outline
SET UP: Open Your Business in 30 Days
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, as she kicks off the brand new Stages of Business Series with the very first stage: SET UP. In this episode, Jennifer dives into what it really takes to get started - from finding the courage to begin, shifting your mindset for success, and the practical steps to open up a business. This is the first of five episodes, each one dedicated to a different stage of business growth! If you’re thinking about starting a nutrition private practice, now or in the future, this episode will give you the insight, advice, and...
info_outline
The Highs, Lows, and Lessons of Every Stage of Business
Pursuing Private Practice
Welcome to the Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Courtney Vickery, a valued team member and a multi-passionate entrepreneur in the weight-inclusive space, as they dive deep into the journey of building a successful private practice. In this special series, they explore the five distinct stages of business: SET UP, START, GROW, LEAD, and COAST. Each stage comes with its own set of emotions, challenges, and action steps, and they’re here to guide you through them all. Whether you're just setting up your practice or looking to expand and lead a team, they’ve got...
info_outlineWelcome to a bonus episode of the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!
In this podcast episode, Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, answers questions about hiring and leadership in business. Topics include hiring your first team member, the interview process, the difference between employee and contractor positions, the importance of setting clear expectations and communication, and the complexities of team dynamics in private practice. This episode is full of action steps for you to embrace leadership in your business.
00:04:30 - CEO Time and Job Descriptions
The significance of scheduling CEO time to evaluate business operations. Discussion about the different steps to create a job description for a virtual assistant based on tasks needed, outcomes, and budget.
00:09:42 - Paying Team Members
Comparison of hiring a virtual assistant versus a dietitian, focusing on roles and revenue generation. Insights on how to determine fair pay for dietitians based on expertise and business finances.
00:17:45 - Employee vs. Contractor Differences
Explains the differences between hiring W-2 employees and W-9 contractors, focusing on supervision and responsibilities.
00:21:23 - Marketing Job Positions and the Interview Process
Strategies for marketing job openings effectively to attract the right candidates for your business. Advice on conducting interviews and assessing candidates' problem-solving skills and fit for the role.
00:30:06 - Setting Expectations for Retention
The importance of setting clear expectations for team members regarding client sessions and communication, including hiring and managing team members effectively.
00:35:21 - Job Descriptions for VAs and Interviewing Candidates
Explores the necessity of having a job description when hiring a virtual assistant to ensure clarity of roles and expectations. Highlights the importance of asking the right interview questions to avoid bad hires.
00:38:54 - Addressing Performance Issues and Conflicts of Interest for Team Members Starting a Practice
Discusses strategies for addressing performance issues with associates, including setting clear goals and expectations. Explains how to manage situations when associates wish to start their own private practices.
00:46:27 - Client Retention and Building Business Assets
Emphasizes the importance of client care during transitions when associates leave, allowing clients to choose their path. Discusses the importance of creating intellectual property and business assets to sustain a practice.
00:49:19 - Pay Structures for Employees and Leadership Support
Explores different pay structures for employees in group practices, including hourly rates and fee splits. Encourages business owners to seek support and build leadership skills to create sustainable practices.
00:57:31 - Join EXPAND
More information about the EXPAND business coaching program for support in hiring and leadership. The program helps you hire your team, manage your team, and step into your CEO role as a leader.