DearDoc founder Joe Brown is no stranger to entrepreneurial evolution. In the past two years, his company has gone through the process of building and developing a practice growth platform for doctors and medical practitioners, adapting to COVID-19, and surviving global economic unrest – hardly ideal circumstances for any growing business.
But, Brown said, the upside of being able to share his hard-learned lessons with entrepreneurs just starting out on their own journey is well worth the struggles he went through to get to this point.
“I always tell people, it starts with having a clear vision,” he said. “It’s about knowing what success looks like to you both personally and professionally. Entrepreneurs need clarity about where their future lies, whether they are looking at starting their first venture or working towards successful expansion plans after years of building up the brand.”
While Brown considers himself an optimist, that doesn’t mean he isn’t aware of the hard realities of business ownership, he said.
“One of the hardest things for me was letting go,” he said. “I wanted to do everything because I was so worried about what would happen if I didn’t, but that’s not what was best for my business. Hiring people you trust is key to ensuring you can focus on what you do best as a founder – and let your team do what they do best as well. If you can do that, your business is well on its way to success already.”
As DearDoc continues to expand and evolve, Brown is also looking for new ways to provide mentorship and advice to those who were once in his shoes, whether that’s within his company or outside it.
“My father was my mentor and partner as I was going through college and learning the ins and outs of business,” he said. “He passed away right before I graduated, and since then I’ve looked for ways to mentor others using the tools and advice he gave me. It’s how I honor his legacy and it’s how I love to help others.”
