Toni Cook, Founder of Solutions Maven Consulting

What's a risk you took that paid off? (Or didn't, and what did you learn?)

In late 2022, I decided to leave my position, cash in my 401K and take a leap at starting my own medical practice consulting firm. I can’t say there was one strategy that helped the business gain traction, other than spending a significant amount of time networking with others in the same field. I found networking a way to be introduced to potential clients which has led to increased referrals to potential clients and those clients now refer my services to their colleagues and peers.

Who championed you early in your career, and how did they change your trajectory?

I started my career in healthcare as an administrative assistant to the Director of Nursing at a small hospital. I was not her first choice and happened to get the position because the top candidate could not pass the hiring requirements. I knew I had to hustle at this position, and I had never worked in healthcare prior to that. It was very humbling at the time.

She encouraged me to continue my education and ultimately, I changed my major while working with her to pursue healthcare administration. She still to this day checks in on me and I’m grateful she encouraged me to take that path.

Who is a woman who inspires you?

Each and every one of my female clients are inspiring to me. They have all sacrificed their time with loved ones, a guaranteed salary and lost sleep due to the stress of owning their own practice. And each and every one of them have exceled at being able to call their practice their own, taking care of their patients how they want to and realizing that the sky is the limit in whichever endeavor they choose moving forward.

What's a stereotype about women in your industry that isn’t true?

The stereotype that women can’t have it all, a career, a family and the support behind them to be allow them to be successful.

What's the single decision that had the greatest impact on your professional success?

Investing in my education was by far the best decision that has greatly impacted my success. Education opened the door for me to obtain the experiences needed to put me in the position I am in today.

Alongside my education was the willingness to work in multiple positions in healthcare allowed me to become more well-rounded and develop a solid understanding of what does and doesn’t work and how to manage through the constantly changing landscape of healthcare.

What did you have to unlearn in order to grow?

I had to unlearn the way I communicated and stopped expecting everyone to receive the communication I was giving the same way with every person I interacted with.