1. Case Study #16: A registered dietitian (RD) has a follow-up appointment with a client who is on a weight loss diet. This client failed to come to the last two meetings. The RD decides to call the client to remind her about the appointment. When the answering machine comes on, the RD leaves a message for the client. The RD reminds the client about the appointment, states the importance of a weight check, and asks the client to call back to confirm the meeting.

2. Essential entrepreneurial skills
Planning
Goal-setting
Specific
Measurable
Time-limited
Decision making
Delegation
Support your workers (and your colleagues)
Communication
Controlling to plan

3. Essential entrepreneurial skills
Decision making
Define the problem
Gather information
Analyze the info
Develop options
Choose and implement
Monitor and evaluate

4. Private Practice as an RD
Aptitude
Personal characteristics
Pros/cons
Nitty-gritty

5. Personal characteristics

6. Pros/cons
Need 3 to 5 years to turn a profit?

7. Nitty-gritty considerations
Business structure
Sole proprietorship (70% in the US)
Partnerships
Corporations
S Corporations
LLC

8. Nitty-gritty considerations
Business structure
Tax structure; self-employment taxes (6.2% Social Security; 1.45% Medicare) times two because you pay both halves
Benefits
Insurance:
Malpractice!!
Health

9. Nitty-gritty considerations
HIPAA regulations
Need for licensure/seller's permit/permit to run a home business
Business/office expenses
NOTE: You cannot discuss fees with other RDs—potential violation of anti- trust laws

10. Possible clientele

11. Resources
Litt, A.S. and F.B. Mitchell (2004) American Dietetic Association Guide to Private Practice, American Dietetic Association.
King, K. (2010) The Entrepreneurial Nutritionist, 4th ed., Helm Publishing, Lake Dallas, TX.

12. Develop a business plan

13. Case Study #20: A consultant registered dietitian (RD) has a worksite wellness account. Her usual programming includes group classes on basic nutrition, nutrition for those with diabetes, heart-healthy eating, and coping with food allergies. She also provides personal coaching to the company’s employees. She is approached by an employee who is training for marathons and has specific interests in sports nutrition, nutrition during training and pre- /post-event. Although the RD is comfortable with the role of exercise and nutrition in basic health and general needs, competitive athletics is not an area of expertise.