The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) Entrepreneurship Community of Interest (COI) recently celebrated its first anniversary, and the creativity and innovation of its members are truly inspiring. What started as a simple initiative to connect like-minded professionals working beyond traditional settings in diabetes care and education has evolved into a dynamic platform for professional growth and meaningful networking. The community stands as an empowering testament to the fact that building and running a successful business in diabetes care and education is achievable.
Entrepreneurship is on the rise. Driven by changing economic conditions, technological advancements, and evolving worker preferences, more people are taking the leap into selfemployment. US census trends suggest a recordbreaking 5.5 million new businesses were started in 2023, marking a staggering 55% increase from just 4 years prior.1 According to a recent article in Future Business Journal, this surge can be attributed to factors such as job uncertainty, the rise of remote work, and the growing desire for a better work-life balance.2 For many, the global pandemic served as a catalyst for change, forcing businesses and individuals to rethink their operational models.
It should come as no surprise that these trends are also reflected in the health care industry. Telemedicine and virtual care have made significant strides in recent years, driven by increased demand for remote health care services, such as virtual consultations and chronic disease management.3 This shift addresses issues of convenience and accessibility while also offering substantial cost savings.
Diabetes care and education specialists (DCESs) are finding innovative ways to leverage their expertise in a health care market increasingly burdened by the complexities of diabetes management. By addressing care delivery models, quality improvement strategies, and the implementation of evidence-based standards, DCESs are excelling in their entrepreneurial endeavors.4 In response to the call for health care systems to integrate more diabetes care and education specialists, DCES are finding opportunities in the market for contract and consultative services.
Entrepreneurs bring distinct skills because their work spans diverse environments and industries. The Entrepreneurship COI has provided a platform to share and celebrate success. As more DCESs embrace entrepreneurship, this community becomes a vital source of inspiration and guidance. Through interviews conducted with members of this COI, 3 key strategies for entrepreneurial success consistently emerge: leveraging personal experience, setting clear boundaries, and recognizing and addressing unmet needs. These interconnected themes provide a comprehensive perspective on how COI members drive meaningful impact.
Successful businesses are often built on meaningful personal experiences. This foundation provides a deep sense of purpose and authenticity, which resonates with clients. Quisha Umemba, founder and CEO of Umemba Health, a leading provider of comprehensive public health services for federal and government organizations, has leveraged her personal experiences to address real-world challenges. Her journey into public health is deeply rooted in her firsthand exposure to systemic gaps, particularly the lack of diversity at diabetes conferences—a stark contrast to the disproportionate impact the disease has on communities of color. Drawing on her lived experience, extensive training, and professional network, Quisha delivers comprehensive workforce development and high-quality services that prioritize people and enhance performance. Her efforts were recently recognized with the Sanofi Health Equity Award, a prestigious honor that acknowledges individuals making a difference in equitable access to type 1 diabetes information, with a particular focus on adults of color at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Beverly Thomassian, president of Diabetes Education Services, an educational company dedicated to supporting health care professionals in advancing their careers in diabetes care, is wellversed in drawing from her extensive professional experience. As a diabetes nurse specialist and board certified in advanced diabetes management, Beverly brings over 20 years of experience as an innovator, leader, and mentor in the field.
Her transition from a floor nurse to starting her own diabetes education company was driven by her direct experiences with the challenges her colleagues faced in caring for patients with complex clinical cases. She saw a valuable opportunity to adapt and innovate the way diabetes care and education strategies are taught to health care providers. Beverly’s personal encounters have guided her toward a successful business model that emphasizes practical solutions, ongoing education, and a deep commitment to improving diabetes care.
Professional boundaries are essential for maintaining focus, protecting well-being, and achieving long-term success. Entrepreneurs are often consumed by the constant demands of running a business—long hours, tight deadlines, and the need to constantly be “on.” These pressures can quickly lead to burnout.
Susan Weiner, award-winning food and nutrition expert, author, and owner of Susan Weiner Nutrition, emphasizes the importance of setting clear and thoughtful boundaries as a cornerstone for both personal and professional fulfillment. Learning to say “no” is vital to prevent becoming overwhelmed and sidetracked.
Susan shares that as an entrepreneur, she had to be honest with herself about which opportunities are truly the right fit and which ones would only add unnecessary stress. She highlights the importance of time management, noting that although it is tempting to take on everything and help everyone, it is not sustainable. By setting boundaries, she is able to focus on the projects that align with her values, ensure she gives her full attention to each task, and take care of herself in the process.
Constance Brown-Riggs, an award-winning registered dietitian, 4-time author, and owner of Eating Soulfully, recognized the isolation that often accompanies private practice. By intentionally working 1 day per week in an endocrinology office, she struck a balance between maintaining professional support and interaction while preserving her independence.
Constance also emphasizes the importance of financial and strategic boundaries when managing the unpredictable income streams of entrepreneurship. Budgeting for initial expenses, such as licensing, insurance, marketing, office space, and technology, can be both stressful and challenging. However, her careful planning and proactive risk management demonstrate a strong boundary-setting approach to financial and emotional well-being.
At its core, entrepreneurship is about identifying and solving problems in innovative ways. The most impactful ventures often emerge when entrepreneurs possess a deep understanding of the challenges their target market faces.
Gary Scheiner, owner and clinical director of Integrated Diabetes Services, has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1985 and recognized a lack of sufficient time and resources in the traditional health care system to address the daily challenges of managing the disease. Identifying that many individuals with diabetes were eager to invest in improved self-management tools and support, Gary established a private-pay practice. His focus on intensive insulin therapy and advanced education filled a critical niche that was not being adequately addressed by primary care or endocrinology.
Amiad Fredman, cofounder and chief product officer at SweetSpot, leads the development of a remote diabetes management platform that is revolutionizing clinical workflows in diabetes care. As a physician, he identified a significant gap in clinical practice: Despite advancements such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, health care providers lacked a streamlined system to fully leverage the data these devices generated. Through the creation of SweetSpot, Amiad has made diabetes data more accessible and meaningful for providers, empowering them to deliver more proactive, personalized care. His journey illustrates how recognizing unmet needs—whether in clinical workflows or patient care—can drive innovative solutions that lead to meaningful, transformative change in health care.
Entrepreneurship in diabetes care and education is not only attainable but also a powerful driver of meaningful change and impact. In its first year, the ADCES Entrepreneurship COI has become a vibrant hub for collaboration, reflecting a strong demand for professional support and networking opportunities. By showcasing the journeys of ADCES entrepreneurial trailblazers, the community inspires others to follow in their footsteps. ADCES members have access to a number of COIs, including Entrepreneurship, Diabetes Technology, Inpatient Management, and more. Log in to www.adcesconnect.org to learn more about each COI, subscribe, and stay engaged.
The author acknowledges the expertise of all Interview With an Entrepreneur series contributors and those featured in this article.
The author declares having no professional or financial association or interest in an entity, product, or service related to the content or development of this article.
The author declares having received no specific grant from a funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors related to the content or development of this article.
Sarah Hormachea https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5778-2958
Explore census data. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://data.census.gov/
Al Mohamed AA, Al Mohamed S, Alebrahem M. The remote revolution: assessing the impact of working from home on finance professionals. Futur Bus J. 2024;10(1):94. doi:10.1186/s43093-024-00345-1
Shaver J. The state of telehealth before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prim Care. 2022;49(4):517-530. doi:10.1016/j. pop.2022.04.002
Rodriguez K, Ryan D, Dickinson JK, Phan V. Improving quality outcomes: the value of diabetes care and education specialists. Clin Diabetes. 2022;40(3):356-365. doi:10.2337/cd21-0089
