Have you ever heard the saying “There’s no time like the present!”  No words could be truer.

Despite an international pandemic, there are lots of opportunities for nurses to succeed in this season.  

Just the other day, I mentioned to my social media audience, Black Nurse Entrepreneurs, “don’t let this season pass you by without planting your seeds in fertile ground.” This season is planting season, for when this is all over, you will surely reap the harvest and the benefits of doing the work now.  Don’t put off things.  Even if you can only commit to 30 minutes a day, do something that will put you closer to your business goals. 

The resources and information are out there. Information is readily at our fingertips.  I am challenging you to do your research and invest the time in yourself just like you would for your job or anything else.  

True…nurse entrepreneurship takes dedication, sacrifice and a lot of hard work, but so does many things in our life. Remember how hard nursing school was? Remember the sacrifices and dedication it took to be successful?  Channel that same resilience into launching, building and growing your business. Even in the current climate, when it seems like everything is working against us, we have to remember that we are strong and powerful.  

This is why the time is now.  There isn’t a better time to a launch your business than today.

So, I get it……you are not fully convinced just yet. Or maybe you are a tad scared to take the leap of faith. Well let me break down five reasons why this is a great season to get started. 

• Use your knowledge to create opportunities around COVID.  Nursing has set you up with some nice skills. Delegation, assessment, implementation, knowledge to name a few. Use those skills that you already have and build upon them. Turn your knowledge into an endless cashflow money-making machine.  You can start a consulting business, a COVID cleaning business, how about doing screenings and tracings or perhaps doing testing.   

• Connect and network virtually.  Currently, people are at home more.  Grabbing someone’s attention right now actually is easier than ever because there are less distractions.  People are also scared and hungry for the medical knowledge that you just so happen to have. Set yourself up as an industry leader and a content expert. Connect via social media, do podcasts, write blogs and do guest appearances.  Even in a time where we are not going out, traveling and/or congregating as much, we can still connect with our target audience virtually. 

• When will we ever have this type of time on our hands?  Opportunities like this only come around sporadically.  Honestly, your success in a season like this is determined a lot on your mindset.  Challenge yourself to take advantage of the time.  Think outside of the box.  Be creative. Be courageous.  Do something that you haven’t done before.  Make sure that you set goals and time limits so that you are using the time wisely and productively.     

• Apply for financial grants and loans. Due to the current climate, many companies are interested in helping women-owned and minority-owned businesses succeed.  If your business isn’t set up properly, please find you a solid coach or mentor who can guide you. Banks, companies and organizations are more likely to invest in you when your business is actually functioning like a real business.  Despite how it may seem, there is actually no lack of money in our country.  If people are will to help invest in you, take advantage, especially now. 

• Seek multiple streams of income. If it wasn’t obvious before, it should be crystal clear now that the way to financial stability is diversification of your streams and offerings.  Don’t ever just depend on one method of income.  Even as a nurse, being diverse is imperative.  We are told that our jobs are bulletproof, but in reality, no job ever truly is.  Take this time to launch you another revenue stream during this season.  You will be thankful that you did.

As I mentioned before, despite how things may look, this is a great season to start your business.  Follow your dreams and go be great!