When you first think about starting a business, it’s easy to assume the most challenging part will be the strategy. The website. The pricing. The legal paperwork. The never-ending list of tasks makes entrepreneurship feel like climbing a mountain in the dark. And while those things matter, yes, you do need a way to get paid, a way to attract clients, and a service that makes sense, they’re not the real foundation of success. The truth is this: Mindset is 80% of the journey. Strategy is only 20%. If you don’t shift your identity, you can’t build the business you dream about. Why Identity is the Foundation of Business Success I’ve worked with numerous medical professionals, nurses, therapists, physician assistants, and holistic providers, who felt ready to leave the system and start their own businesses. They wanted freedom, alignment, and the ability to work on their own terms. Almost every one of them came to me with the same challenge. They were still seeing themselves as just a provider. Here’s the thing: You can’t build a six-figure business if you still see yourself as someone who simply trades hours for dollars. You can’t attract aligned clients if you still carry the belief that you need permission, validation, or someone else’s system to succeed. That’s not a business owner identity. That’s an employee identity. Entrepreneurship is a whole new world. It’s about shifting how you see yourself, what you believe is possible, and how you choose to show up every single day. The 80/20 Rule of Business Growth Let’s break it down: * 80% Mindset / Identity WorkThis is about how you see yourself, what you believe you’re capable of, and whether you allow yourself to step into being the CEO of your life and business. * 20% Strategy / TacticsThis is about the systems, tools, and steps that support your identity shift. Yes, you need to know how to set up payment links. Yes, you need to know how to communicate your offer. But these pieces are meaningless without the right mindset driving them. Think about it this way: You could have the most beautiful website in the world, but if you don’t believe you’re worthy of being seen, you’ll never share it. You could have the perfect pricing structure, but if you still harbor the belief that “I can’t charge that much,” you’ll undercut yourself and stay stuck. Strategy without a mindset is like putting gas in a car with no engine. It looks good, but it doesn’t go anywhere. How Successful Entrepreneurs Think Differently The biggest difference between someone who stays stuck and someone who thrives isn’t their skills; it’s their identity. Successful entrepreneurs see themselves as: * Leaders, not employees. They don’t wait for permission; they give themselves permission. * Creators, not followers. They understand that business is built from their vision, not someone else’s blueprint. * Investors, not just workers. They know that investing time, energy, and money into growth is how businesses expand. * Resilient, not perfect. They expect challenges and see them as stepping stones, not failures. This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about uncovering the version of you that’s already been waiting to step forward and be the one who knows you’re here for something bigger. My Own Identity Shift When I left the military and later the healthcare system, I thought I just needed a plan. I knew I was smart. I knew I had the work ethic. So I assumed that once I had the right steps, I’d be fine. What I didn’t realize was how much my identity was still rooted in being a “soldier” or a “provider.” My nervous system was wired for survival and performance, not for freedom and creation. I had to ask myself: Who am I, if I’m not defined by a uniform, a license, or a system that tells me what to do? That was one of the most challenging questions I’ve ever faced. And it’s also the most liberating. The day I started seeing myself not as an employee of a system, I became the CEO of my own business; everything shifted. * I stopped looking outside for validation. * I stopped undercharging for my expertise. * I stopped hiding behind “being busy” instead of being visible. And that shift in identity, before the systems and marketing, was what opened the door to building a business that truly aligned with my purpose. The Belief That Creates Visibility, Income, and Traction Here’s the belief that changes everything: “I am not just a provider. I am a business owner. I am a CEO.” When you truly embody that belief, everything else flows. * You stop being afraid of visibility, because you know being seen is how people find you. * You stop underpricing your work because you know your value isn’t measured by hours, it’s measured by transformation. * You stop waiting for the “perfect time,” because you realize the perfect time doesn’t exist. This belief is what allows you to create traction in your business. It’s what shifts you from thinking small to thinking big, from surviving to thriving, from following to leading. A Powerful Shift to Embody Your CEO Identity Now If you want to start shifting your identity today, try this simple practice: * Ask yourself daily: “Who am I choosing to be in my business today?” * Am I choosing to be the overworked provider, or the confident CEO? * Anchor into the future version of yourself. * Imagine yourself one year from now, running a successful, soul-aligned business. What do they believe about themselves? What decisions are they making differently? * Take one aligned action every day. * Whether it’s reaching out to a potential client, recording a video, or setting up a system, do it from the belief that you are already the CEO. When you live into this identity, strategy becomes a tool, not a lifeline. You’ll find that the actions you take actually work because they’re aligned with the way you see yourself. For Healthcare Professionals Stepping Into Entrepreneurship If you’re a nurse, therapist, PA, or holistic provider, the leap into entrepreneurship can feel intimidating. You’ve been trained to care for others, often at the expense of yourself. You’ve been taught to follow rules, protocols, and systems that don’t leave room for your own vision. This is your time. The world needs healers who build businesses that are sustainable, purposeful, and aligned with their souls. Your identity as “just a provider” has gotten you this far, and it won’t carry you into the future you’re meant to create. * You are more than your credentials. * You are more than your job title. * You are a visionary entrepreneur. Final Thoughts Starting a business isn’t just about learning how to market, price, or deliver services. Those things matter, and they’re only 20% of the picture. The real work is in shifting how you see yourself. In moving from “I’m just a provider” to “I’m the CEO of my own business.” That’s the foundation of building a six-figure, soul-aligned business. And the question I want to leave you with is this: What belief are you shifting in your business journey right now? If you want to learn more about getting started with your own business outside of healthcare, visit startingabusinesssimplified.com Get full access to Starting a Business Simplified at startingabusinesssimplified.substack.com/subscribe
