Starting any kind of successful business is difficult, but starting a business that is a new type of service, like being a patient advocate, is even tougher. You won't have previous successes or other people's mistakes to learn from, and you'll be making up most of what you do as you go along.
Remember that one of the most important attributes of being a successful entrepreneur is to listen and take advice. Here are some of those resources and advisers who can help you establish your own patient advocate business:
State Assistance
Every state in the US recognizes how important small businesses are to its economic success and for that reason, every state offers support for starting small businesses. These resources should be among your first to access. You can find a list of state programs online, or call your local community college to ask about small business development resources.
SCORE
SCORE is the Service Corp of Retired Executives -- people who have retired from a career in business, and now volunteer to counsel others who want to build and succeed in their businesses. You can search for a SCORE mentor at its website.
SBA
Recognizing that small businesses are the future of the American economy, the federal government offers a great deal of support for small businesses through its Small Business Administration, the SBA. You can learn more about business plans, business loans, taxes, marketing and more from the SBA.
Your Bank
Check with your bank to see if they offer services for small businesses. Some banks focus on small businesses and entrepreneurs. Others offer small business loans. Still others offer business accounts, but not much support beyond that. Since you may need to have a good relationship established when it comes time to getting a business loan, establishing that relationship early in the process may be helpful to you.
CPA or Accountant
You'll need a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an accountant or a bookkeeper to help you set up your cash flow and finances. Your CPA will also help you keep track of your tax deductions. Later, you'll want a CPA or accountant to do your taxes for you. If you have more confidence in your ability to handle bookkeeping, invoicing, payables and receivables, then you may find a software package like Quicken or Quickbooks or Microsoft Money can help you.
Lawyer
Early in the process of starting a business, a lawyer can help you put all the legal requirements, including your business structure, naming and trademarks, plus advising on the types of insurances you may need. As your business gets underway, your need to spend time with your lawyer will hopefully decrease, but establishing that relationship will serve you well should the need arise.
Marketing
There will be two types of marketing that can help you. General marketing advice will help you determine exactly who your target audiences are. More specific marketing advice will help you determine outreach to those specific target audiences. Look for help through any of the resources above (SCORE, SBA, state small business development offices).
Insurance
Depending on the type of health advocacy you wish to offer your patients or clients, you'll want to be sure to have the right insurances in place. Your business formation (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation) will also determine what kinds of insurance you need. You'll need business insurance as well as professional insurances like errors and omissions. If you work on medical information with your patients, you may need to have some sort of malpractice, or professional practice insurance, too. Because this area is so new and specialized, you'll need to stay current through a professional organization to get the most current information about insurance.
Network with Other Advocates
Other advocates, perhaps in other corners of the country, can support you in your efforts. They can mentor you, help you understand the hurdles and successes, and provide invaluable input for the unique questions you, as a new business person and advocate, will want to ask. You can find many of these fellow advocates online.
General Help for Starting a Business
There is quite a bit of help for starting a business and being self-employed right here at About.com, including:
- Guide to Entrepreneurs
- Guide to Health Careers
- Guide to Small Business / US
- Guide to Small Business / Canada
- Guide to Advertising
- Guide to Freelance and Consulting
- Guide to Marketing
- Guide to Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations
- Guide to Home Based Businesses
- Additional Business and Finance Guidesites
Start a Patient Advocacy Business:
- Part One: About You and a Patient Advocacy Business
- Part Two: The Role of Finances in Building a Patient Advocate Business
- Part Three: Patient Advocacy Customers, Clients and Services
- Part Four: The Particulars of Starting Your Patient Advocacy Business
- Part Five: Resources for Starting a Patient Advocacy Business
