Starting a Solo Practice: The Essentials and Gradual Growth

This episode is sponsored by: My Financial Coach
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In an era where autonomy drives physician fulfillment, how do you break free to start your own practice? Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Dr. Kara Pepper, who transitioned from 14 years in employed practice to founding an 18-state telemedicine practice focused on eating disorders. Dr. Pepper also explores the qualities—innovation, risk tolerance, and lifelong learning—that define successful solo practitioners. She discusses overcoming analysis paralysis, leveraging automation to cut overhead, and innovative models like cash-pay visits and direct primary care. Highlighting her own journey, she offers practical advice for physicians, whether sole breadwinners or dual-income households, to navigate risks and build sustainable practices, making this episode a vital resource for those seeking to reclaim healthcare on their terms.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Embrace Risk Tolerance – Assess your willingness to take risks and view failure as a learning opportunity to thrive in a solo or micro practice.
2. Automate Administrative Tasks – Use technology and virtual assistants to reduce overhead and focus on patient care, enhancing practice sustainability.
3. Start with the Smallest Step – Overcome analysis paralysis by identifying the tiniest action (e.g., researching EMRs) to launch your practice and build from there.

About the Show:
The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!

About the Guest:
Dr. Kara Pepper is a primary care internist and executive coach based in Atlanta, Georgia, with 14 years of private practice experience. She founded an 18-state telemedicine practice specializing in adults with eating disorders and created Micropractice Mastermind, a community supporting physicians in solo practice. As host of the podcast “It’s Not Just You” she guides doctors to transform healthcare through autonomy and innovation.

Website : https://karapeppermd.com

Email: hello@karapeppermd.com   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karapeppermd?igsh=MW94ZGs3ajEwcm1qNg==

About the host:

 Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians

Want to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!

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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.