Meet Woman in Business Briana McCullough

Briana McCullough is the CEO of Summer Fields Consulting, LLC – a healthcare recruiting company that specializes in placing nurse professionals, ranging from staff level to Directors, into medical facilities all across the United States. Our target includes any Nurse professional who is seeking a career change, as well as medical facilities who have a present need for immediate nursing staff.

This is her interview

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?

My story is particularly unique in that I became an entrepreneur with zero experience in the recruiting and staffing industry. I was at a crossroads in my career and knew I needed to make some major decisions, so starting my own company after discovering a desperate need for Nurses in the healthcare sector just made the most sense. From there, it took pure diligence, faith, and not taking constant rejection of my new services personally that enabled me to scale my company to a national level in a short amount of time! Being a business owner not only gives me the freedom to make my own decisions, but it also gives me purpose. There is nothing more rewarding than having the privilege to connect Nurse candidates to their dream jobs so that they can further pursue their passions of providing excellent patient care!

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

I can’t say it loud enough: my family! They give me just the right kind of push that I need to keep going each day, along with consistent reassurance that I am capable of being the most effective healthcare recruiting CEO in the industry. It is so imperative to have the right kind of support system under you as a woman in business. This kind of support will serve as your personal accountability partner who isn’t afraid to step on your toes or offend you if it means making sure that you are doing everything necessary to fulfill your company’s mission. My family definitely fits the bill!

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

Without a doubt, landing a national contract while Summer Fields Consulting was still in its infancy. In this stage, I was still trying to figure out how my company stands out from its competitors, so attempting to relay that message to potential clients who already had pre-established relationships with their favorite recruiters was quite daunting. Once I got through the preliminary stumbling blocks, I was finally able to attract a client that was a direct fit with our mission!

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Have the time of your life! While this journey is not meant to be easy, and at times you will be tested to your very limits, the passion you have for your business will always be enough fuel to keep you going. If you aren’t having fun with it, then all of your work is being done in vain. Enjoy the ups, learn from the downs, and have an absolute blast.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

LinkedIn is an absolute lifesaver. It gives recruiters a platform that allows us to target exactly what our client is looking for in that “rockstar” candidate. It is such an integral asset to my business in that I am able to develop great relationships with not only nurse professionals, but other healthcare recruiters who might be interested in collaborating on projects to make the work easier. It’s a win-win!

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

As I was going through the initial client acquisition phase, I had to hear plenty of “no’s” before hearing the one “yes” that changed the trajectory of my journey. It was in this moment that I learned that not every “no” means they won’t ever be interested; sometimes, “no” simply means “not right now”. Be sure that you are giving your all in each and every one of your pitches so that your potential clients will not only remember you later down the line, but will want to actually pursue your products or services.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?

Outsourcing tasks is an effective way to jump start your company. As a newcomer in the industry, I had a lot of catching up to do, so I researched ways to make life easier so that I could focus on the areas of my business that needed more special attention over others. It’s okay to admit that we just can’t do it all, and that sometimes we can use a helping hand. Whether it may be back office support, marketing gurus, or sales agents, outsourcing your weak spots to the experts will save you so much time and headache. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself in the long run!

Do you have any new projects coming up.

I’m currently in the process of expanding my company’s reach to include new clients in regions we have yet to cover. I always welcome new challenges, and I have now positioned this company in such a way that enables us to explore newer territories! Obtaining new clients will always be a milestone for us, so I’m excited to continue welcoming new healthcare systems to the Summer Fields Consulting family!

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

Thrifting is my favorite pastime! It’s amazing what kinds of gems I’m able to find each and every time I thrift, not to mention for a fraction of the cost I’d be paying anywhere else. No matter what kinds of pieces I’m looking for—whether I want to go edgy, classic, or flirty—I can always depend on my favorite local thrift shops to deliver!

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?

We’re in position to obtain a physical headquarters within the next year, and I am so over the moon with joy to finally give Summer Fields Consulting her home! While we do operate in a virtual capacity, I believe that it is equally important for this business to have a physical presence. So, stay tuned for that future ribbon cutting!

You want to write a book on

…how to become a savvy entrepreneur when you have no clue what you’re doing!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Comparison is the quickest way to fail. Yes, there are people in this industry who has been doing this much longer than you have. Yes, someone just released the very product that you’ve secretly been blueprinting for the past year. As a matter of fact, there are already thousands of duplicate services on the market that you’re interested in providing. So, what do you do now? You remix your product, optimize it to tackle your target’s greatest pain points, and you launch. Comparing yourself to your competition by despairing over possible missed opportunities not only slows down productivity, but gives way to discouragement and inevitably throwing in the towel. Do NOT give up! Rather than lamenting over your competitors for “swiping” your idea, try focusing on what their product or service might lack but could be of great benefit to your audience. Remember to always keep pushing and you’ll come out on top!

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