When Clinicians Talk About Business

The first thing that comes up isn’t a five-year plan or a revenue goal—it’s something far more personal.

• “I want more ease in my professional life.”

• “I’ve never run a business before—so I’m here to keep the support around me.”

• “I’m stuck in the eddy of the river, resting after burnout, but ready to move again.”

• “I need functional infrastructure so my business keeps going without my constant push.”

• “Marketing? Hard no. But sharing my work? I can get behind that.”

• “I want to balance my financial needs with the care my clients deserve.”

When I hear these, I’m reminded that what we bring to the table as clinicians isn’t just our skills—it’s our humanity, our values, and our need for work that supports us as much as it supports others. These aren’t personal flaws. They’re the shared conditions of being an accidental business owner in a field that teaches us how to care for others but rarely how to care for our work—or ourselves—over time.

In Ember, we talk about strategy and inner work in the same breath. Because you can have the perfect plan, but if you’re tangled in perfectionism, urgency, or your inner critic’s running commentary, it won’t go far. And you can have all the self-awareness in the world, but without clear next steps, the ideas just live in your head.

Hope is a practice. Imagination is survival. And carving your way forward—machete in hand—is easier with people beside you who get it.

A Reflection for You: Name Your One Easier Thing

Right now, ask yourself:
“What’s one thing in my work I’d love to feel easier this season?”

Don’t overthink it. It could be practical (like getting your invoices out on time) or emotional (like feeling confident saying no).

Write it down somewhere you’ll see it.
Beneath it, jot one small ember—a skill, habit, or strength—you already have that could help.

This isn’t about fixing it all today. It’s about naming what matters most and recognizing that you already carry something that can spark change.

A Quick Tip for Overwhelm

If marketing (or any big task) feels like too much:

1. Set a timer for 12 minutes.

2. Take one visible action—send an email, reach out to a collaborator, or share one thought where your people might see it.

3. When the timer stops, so do you.

Small, steady visibility beats occasional massive pushes every time.

If you recognize yourself in these words, Ember is built for you.
It’s where you can keep showing up for your business in ways that fit your capacity, your values, and your life right now—while learning how to sustain yourself financially and honor the care your clients deserve.

Learn more about Ember →

In other news, Tending my grief program with the remarkable Carmen Cool, opened for registration this week. We begin on October 12th.