Filling a Gap: Writing on Public Health Entrepreneurship

Filling a Gap: Writing on Public Health Entrepreneurship

It’s 4 am and my sleeping habits are no different than they have been the past several weeks while finishing writing my book. The stillness of dawn has always been my best time of day for me to think, while the world is still asleep. Sure, I’m wide awake now but trust me, I will fall asleep as soon as my son leaves for school. I assume I will get my sleep back on track at some point. For now, I will continue to enjoy the stillness of the house while drinking my coffee in silence.

As I sit here contemplating the topic of public health entrepreneurship, I can't help but reflect on my own journey and how it led me to this point. Mainly, because someone asked me why I wrote my book “Public Heath Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Intersection of Purpose and Profit” and it dawned on me that I’ve never really shared the reasons why.

Meeting a Need

Entrepreneurial innovation requires out-of-the-box thinking and the consulting process involves spotting unmet needs, then meeting them. Writing my book was meeting a need. As a public health professional, I noticed that there wasn't much literature or resources available on the topic of entrepreneurship within this field. Despite the increasing interest and importance placed on social entrepreneurship and innovation, there seemed to be limited guidance for those interested in combining their passion for public health with entrepreneurial endeavors. So, I did what any good entrepreneur would do. I met a need.

I wrote my book to fill a gap when I noticed a lack of existing literature and resources related to public health entrepreneurship. As a matter of fact, there have been so few articles and books written on the topic, I completed my literature review in a weekend. At the time of the writing of this book, not one book has been published on the topic of public health entrepreneurship. (Aside from my eBook on the topic).

Sharing my Journey

I wrote my book to share my personal journey to entrepreneurship and how my experiences as a nurse and public health practitioner have shaped my perspective and influenced my path to business ownership. While not an easy journey, it has been incredibly rewarding and I've been fortunate to lean on skills learned in nursing and in public health to set me up for success. Through my book, I aim to inspire and empower others in the public health field to consider entrepreneurship as a viable option for making a positive impact and creating sustainable change. I want readers to understand that impact doesn't just have to take place at the bedside inside a hospital ward, or inside the walls of a traditional public health agency.

Inspiring Future Generations

I wrote my book to share the inspiring stories and impactful contributions of everyday individuals driving innovation in the field as public health consultants and entrepreneurs so readers can know that they can do it too. I believe that entrepreneurship has the potential to bring about significant and lasting change in public health. By creating innovative solutions for the initiatives that are important to us (public health consultants), we can address pressing public health issues in our communities and truly make a difference. I firmly believe that public health won't be changed from the inside out, it will be changed from the outside in. I believe that starts with public health entrepreneurs.

Granting Permission

I wrote my book to permit my public health colleagues to chase purpose and profit. Yes, it’s okay for you to charge for expertise related to your lived experience. Your lived experience can inform and improve systems, research, policies, practices, and programs. Yes, it’s okay for you to charge to do something you love doing anyway. If you charge, you won’t get burnt out and you can continue doing it. Yes, it’s okay for you to charge to do something that comes easily to you. It didn't at one point! It’s a benefit to your clients if you can do in one hour what takes someone else an entire day. You took out loans, got degrees and certifications, put in long hours to learn what you know now, and have lived a full life of experiences that can provide insight into matters that individuals, communities, and organizations may find insightful and just what they need in their next public health consultant. Own it. Embrace it. Charge for it! My book gives you permission to charge for your working experience and expertise, as well as your lived experience as they are all necessary and required for the pursuit of health equity.

Conclusion

I know that public health entrepreneurship challenges the conventional mindset. But my book was written to do just that. "Public Health Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Intersection of Purpose and Profit" explores the dynamic intersection of public health and entrepreneurship, and provides practical skills needed to start, grow, and scale a successful public health consultancy. These insights are crucial for creating impactful changes in public health.

Call to Action: If you're a public health professional, it's time to recognize your worth and the unique contributions you can make. Don't shy away from leveraging your expertise and experiences for the greater good. Interested in public health entrepreneurship? Join me in transforming public health, one entrepreneurial venture at a time.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY MY NEW BOOK HERE

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Quisha Umemba is The PublicHealthPreneur™. She teaches "helping professionals" how to leverage their expertise and monetize their skillset so they can start, grow, and scale a profitable public health consulting business that makes impact and income. Find out how you can cultivate a "purpose-driven, profit-focused" lifestyle by visiting https://quishaumemba.com/