What Worked, What Didn’t, and What We’re Changing in 2026

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

 

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Courtney Vickery, CEO of Declet Designs, 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 like, and what listeners can expect from the new season of the podcast.

 

• Welcome to Season 4 of the Podcast (1:12) Jennifer shares why she took time between seasons to reflect on the direction of the podcast and what listeners can expect from the new season.
• Reflecting on 2025 and Personal Challenges (7:02) Jennifer opens up about the loss of her father-in-law and how that experience shifted her perspective on priorities, family, and running a business.
• Why Boundaries Are Essential in Business Ownership (9:34) Jennifer explains why protecting your time and energy is critical if you want to build a sustainable business that doesn’t lead to burnout.
• Courtney’s Business Growth and Lessons from 2025 (10:46) Courtney reflects on the biggest wins in her business, including hitting record revenue and completing more than 40 client projects in a single year.
• Understanding Capacity and Avoiding Burnout (18:14) Courtney shares how she realized she had reached capacity in her business and how she’s restructuring her workflow to make things more sustainable.
• Why Revenue Doesn’t Tell the Full Story of Success (15:17) Jennifer explains how her business had its lowest revenue year in a decade—but also one of its most profitable and sustainable years.
• Simplifying Your Business Model (21:15) Jennifer shares why she decided to stop selling standalone toolkits and focus entirely on Business School to create deeper results for clients.
• The Problem With “More Information” in Business Education (23:32) Jennifer and Courtney discuss why many online courses go unfinished—and why accountability and coaching often lead to better outcomes.
• Courtney’s Word of the Year: Simplify (27:43) Courtney talks about her focus for 2026, which includes simplifying services, standardizing systems, and learning to say “no.”
• Jennifer’s Word of the Year: Elevate (33:41) Jennifer reflects on stepping fully into her role as CEO and elevating her work, her program, and the impact she’s making with clients.
• Redefining Success as a Business Owner (34:56) Jennifer shares how her vision for success has evolved—from chasing growth and visibility to building a business that truly supports her life.
• What to Expect from Season 4 of the Podcast (36:55) Jennifer reveals the theme for the new season: showcasing dietitians across specialties and highlighting the many ways private practices can be built.

 

From reflecting on the highs and lows of 2025 to setting intentions and goals for 2026, this conversation is full of insights, strategies, and inspiration for building a private practice that truly supports both your clients and your life.

 

📍 Join Pursuing Private Practice on Wednesday, March 25th at 12pm Eastern for a free workshop: From Dietitian Job to Private Practice: The Roadmap to Start, Grow, and Scale Your Nutrition Business

In this live workshop, we’ll talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable private practice from mindset and marketing to systems, finances, and leadership. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your practice, you’ll walk away with clear next steps for growing your business. Sign up: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/private-practice-workshop/

 

🌟 Work with me in Business School: the program to give you everything you need to grow a sustainable, profitable nutrition private practice. You will graduate with the tools, support, and strategy for success. The next chort begins April 13th!

Learn more and apply: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/

 

Find Pursuing Private Practice on Instagram @pursuing.private.practice

 

About Courtney:

Courtney Vickery, MS, RD, LD is a multi-passionate entrepreneur in the weight-inclusive space. She's an anti-diet dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with her own private practice, Vickery Wellness. She is also the CEO of Declet Designs, her website and branding studio for weight-inclusive businesses.

 

She has a double dose of knowledge, with bachelor's degrees in political science and dietetics, plus a Master's degree in Foods & Nutrition from the University of Georgia (and still teaches an undergraduate course there). Her career journey includes working as a Director of Corporate Health Services & Community Outreach, clinical dietitian, managing group fitness programs and community health programs, and roles in healthcare administration and corporate health. She's even stepped in as the Interim Director of the Dietetic Internship at the University of Georgia.

 

At home, Courtney shares life with her husband of 15 years (they've been together since high school!), two kids, a dog named Oliver, and two kitty cats, Finnick and Calliope. She is the perfect blend of Enneagram 1 determination and a laid-back coffee shop aficionado. When she's not helping therapists and dietitians rock their brands and websites, you can catch her chilling at a coffee shop, sipping tea, or spending time with her awesome family.

 

Her passion for blending her love for weight-inclusive care with her knack for web and branding design makes her your friendly expert in dietetics and web design.

 

Find Courtney on Instagram at @decletdesigns.