On May 9, the NUHS Naturopathic Professional Student Association (NPSA) invited Alumnus Michael Robinson, ND ‘19, MS, CNS, LDN, ONC, CFMP, to speak with NUHS students about the lessons he learned in the first 12-months of opening his practice and the importance of hard work in the early years of growing the business.
Dr. Robinson is the owner of Nourish Natural Healthcare located in the Chicago Suburbs where he practices with a clinical focus in cancer support therapy and naturopathic oncology. He provides comprehensive cancer care to oncology patients by designing diet and herbal medicine plans to complement their conventional chemotherapy and radiation.
Imagine your ideal practice
During his presentation, Dr. Robinson shared insights from his first year of practice ownership,
emphasizing the importance of early planning before graduation to ensure a smooth start. He outlined key steps to consider during what he calls “the contemplation phase,” where future practitioners should focus on critical decisions, such as how to order labs, how to bill patients and the logistics of running a practice. Dr. Robinson encouraged students to reflect on what matters most to them in their ideal practice and to map out the steps needed to bring that vision to life.
Start small and expand later
Dr. Robinson described his first office as a modest 150 sq ft office, which he referred to as his “surviving and thriving” space. With minimal resources, he kept costs low while still turning a profit. He emphasized that rent, equipment, materials and furniture should be carefully considered, but the key is to start with only what you truly need. Noting that once he established a stable foundation, he gradually expanded to a larger office and a bigger team.
When deciding on his first location, Dr. Robinson asked, “Is this an ideal office space for practicing naturopathic medicine? No. Is it ideal for me? 100%. The rent was $450, so I only had to see one patient per month to not lose money. Focus on making operations sustainable from the beginning and work toward building the dream.”
Invest your time to grow your profit
To grow and become a successful practice that brings in profit, Dr. Robinson strongly advised putting the business first and making it a priority. This means setting clear boundaries and making tough decisions, when necessary, even if it means sacrificing other opportunities or personal time. He is confident his decision to prioritize the clinic above everything else in the early years was the foundation of his long-term success and profitability.
“If you treat your business like a side hustle, it’ll be a side hustle,” Dr. Robinson said. “Between me and my wife, we had 13 different teaching jobs at the same time I was building the clinic, but I never let the clinic suffer. It was first priority over everything.”
Before concluding, he left students with one last piece of advice:
“Mistakes are going to happen—just make them count toward your success. Learn from them, adapt, and be open to change as you grow. Don’t cling so tightly to your original plan that you risk losing sight of the big picture.”
This speaking engagement was part of a broader event series hosted by NPSA in celebration of Naturopathic Medicine Week, held from May 4 to May 10. Established by Congress, Naturopathic Medicine Week is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the power of naturopathic medicine and its role in helping individuals achieve lasting health and wellness.
