Notes from the Producer
Ryan Smeets was an executive at a successful advertising agency when his boss decided to close the business. Ryan decided that he would never be laid off again – and started his own business. Instead of using the traction he had gained in advertising, Ryan took an analytical approach to his career change by gauging various industries, exploring unique challenges, and finding opportunities for innovation.
He ended up taking on one of the toughest problems in the multi-trillion-dollar healthcare industry, and now runs a successful recruitment company for nurses. Ryan shares his story, including his strategy for finding the perfect business idea and the steps that made it such a stunning success.
Ryan Talks About
His education, early career, and winning the Showcase Showdown on The Price Is Right.
The many components of the nursing shortage - it's actually not all about mandates.
How hospital jobs are only about 50% of nursing jobs, and how nurses and students need to be educated about the variety of opportunities and upward mobility within nursing.
The caste system in healthcare – from doctors to hospital janitors.
Starting a business: the challenge of coming up with a clear, valuable resource and communicating it to clients.
Ryan's secret sauce: listening well, solving problems, always following up with people and delivering true value.
EARN Cares' 100% free and 100% confidential nurse-to-nurse interviews, and how his team represents nurses.
How nurses make amazing employees in other segments of the economy.
How individuals can get into nursing or other medical roles with expedited training, and make very good money.
Katie's Favorite Quotes
"We're in this big moment, and I think those who want to work and those who want to celebrate work are going to win."
"The greatest way to build wealth is going to be building something on your own and then selling it."
"When you're a man of your word and you follow through, things start to happen."
-Ryan Smeets
Freedom Focus
Step 1: If you are interested in starting your own venture, be like Ryan: do your homework, ask lots of questions, listen well, and keep things simple.
Step 2: If you are a nurse who wants more freedom in your career, or you know a nurse who wants to make a change, visit EARN Cares to discover your options.
In this Episode
Thank you for joining us this week. I hope you can catch next week’s show for another story about courage, freedom, and success.
Take Action, and Take Heart,
Katie