Dr. Derek Cook Shifts from Isolated Clinic Owner to Confident Business Leader

Derek Cook (00:00) I think Clinician Business Labs really did 180 degree pivot for me. It's been immense in terms of my mental outlook, where I want to go with the clinic. And it's just completely changed Hi, I'm Dr. Derek Cook. I'm a naturopathic doctor residing in Calgary, Alberta, and I'm a clinic owner since 2012. When I opened up my clinic, the big reason why I opened it was I wanted to be able to work in a non-toxic environment. One that was with my personal goals and being able to enjoy work going into the office. So when I first developed the clinic, it was just sort of like trying to develop a co-op where we were just working in a very positive environment and I had to do a thorough review of contracts and understanding that the clinic needs to be profitable and how does that need to be managed through contracts? So 2025 has been extremely challenging for us through a transition. So it's been extremely challenging for us in terms of general revenues and going through this transition, but It's one of those things that we realized prior to 2025 that with a busy clinic and we were extremely busy to see the workload at the front desk, the potential burnouts. think first and foremost is the mindset. Working with the Hive, working with other clinic owners, realizing that a lot of the issues that I was facing is pretty common. And so with the group, there's so many hidden gems of good information. It also changes the mindset into one of potential and positivity and what are my options? as opposed to being in sort of on your own island in despair I don't know what to do. I'm not really sure how to solve this problem. that is first and foremost, is just having that community. That's pretty big. They also bring in specific experts, technical abilities in certain areas. for example, know, what is a good contract and is not a good contract. there's just so many things that come from the program that is just exceptional. I have a unique relationship with Meghan Walker, the owner. we've known each other for quite a while. And it was one of those things that I just know her character. I just know success and the people that she brings on board with her. she's just an outstanding person. obviously if you want to be successful, you need to attach yourself to successful people, So... One of the biggest shifts joining business clinicians is the mental aspect. As an individual clinic owner, oftentimes you feel like you're on an island alone, isolated. These problems are unique to me and the biggest thing is the community. things have come up that I haven't thought about and allows us to sort of avoid future landmines. And attitude is such an important thing. it's very difficult to do that when you feel isolated. I think that's at the core The biggest shift is the mindset that all these wonderful options are available. Is it difficult? Absolutely, but it's worth it in the end. when you start to see the changes and the it just sort of makes you want more of it. I'm currently taking a BDC loan out and I've always shied away from it. I've always been one of those people that's like, no, I'm gonna do this on my own. I don't wanna accumulate debt. But with the the changes in the transition in the size of my clinic. It's just it gives me the confidence is like, look at this is a bottleneck that needs to be addressed now. Time is money and this is a good move. in the past, I don't think I would have that confidence that it's going to be successful. with clinician business labs, what I've been able to do is transition my team optimally to the practitioners that I'm really looking to move forward with. my prime focus in terms of building Needs to be on the naturopathic doctors because that's just who we are. Meghan, she's just the organization itself, the depth and breadth of support. didn't think it would be that deep, but I'm also not surprised. if there's something that you're having challenges with, there's a better chance that there is some sort of support within the program available for And the concierge, she's really helpful in like, I'm looking for XYZ. She responds within 24 hours. And that's really great to have that support. So you're not sort of trying to fumble around the site for what you're looking for. So just fabulous. I think the first thing is what is holding you back? I think that's a really important question for somebody to ask themselves. where can they find the best support? I think a lot comes from fear base, and this program is the total opposite. It's abundancy. People are always willing to share. they're there to support you. it's just been an incredible such a wonderful opportunity if somebody is able to do it.