When 9 to 5 Doesn’t Work

By: Christine Dura

At one point or another during their careers, all people tend to become introspective and evaluate where they are on life’s path. For many, the conclusion that their current job or career is unfulfilling, unbalanced, or is not a trajectory to lead them to personal and professional prosperity they desire becomes a stark reality. When this happens, it is often a signal that indicates a need for a career change. If you find that:

1. You no longer experience joy or passion for the work you’re doing,
2. You are working with people with whom you don’t respect,
3. You are unable to move up the career ladder, and/or
4. You face internal or external factors outside of your control that threaten or stymie your professional growth, income earning or retirement

When considering a change of career, doing a self – assessment is the first step. By conducting a self -assessment you will be able to clarify the reality of changing jobs or even careers. This process includes identifying what your values are, knowing what you your goals are, and researching and talking to other people in different fields to learn how your goals, interests and values align.  Further, after the self – assessment and interviews some people may find that they need to be open to relocation or that self – employment. For many, whether or not they have a healthcare background, self-employment turns to a deeper examination of the lucrative world of healthcare franchising as a viable alternative to creating financial independence.

The Chief Development Officer of OrthoNOW®, the nation’s only orthopedic urgent care franchise, Christine Dura M. Ed, says “Quitting a job simply because you hate it is never the right choice. Career course correction is more prevalent among tenured workers and is highly common in industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical device sales, where income levels can be high but which are also frequently highly regulated creating environmental issues that remove or diminish autonomy or threaten income stability”.

Dura, a previous four-time Master Franchisee who has over twenty-five years of C and V level experience continues, “Healthcare franchising offers the ability to achieve dream equity while reducing the risk of startup failure. Healthcare franchising provides the individual with support offered by experts sharing a proven business model”.

She cautions that entrepreneurism and healthcare franchising is not for everyone. When considering healthcare business opportunities as an option your self – assessment should also include the following:

1. Financial capability and the ability to sustain yourself for a minimum of six months,
2. A well-developed and supportive personal and professional network that will support both you and the business especially in its emerging stages, and
3. The right personality characteristics

What are the right personality characteristics healthcare franchisees should possess? Dura believe that entrepreneurs need to be thought leaders who have had some previous degree of experience in operations, sales and marketing. They also need to have a network of business relationships they can leverage and take as talent or customers into the new enterprise.

If you feel self-employment and healthcare franchising is right for you the next step is to carefully consider all healthcare business investment options before making your final selection. When this happens nine to five can take on a whole new meaning!

OrthoNOW is the first and only Orthopedic franchise. Contact Christine Dura at Christine@orthonowcare.com for more information about franchise opportunities.

Christine has over 25 years of quantifiable executive management and franchise related leadership experience within the US and internationally with notable franchise startups in the service, technology, retail, food, health and wellness, financial service, medical care, technology and professional services.   As a Senior Franchise Executive and Entrepreneur, Ms. Dura has been both an individual contributor and has successfully led world-class teams.

Ms. Dura excels at partnering with all core business operations to significantly increase the company’s foot print, expand market share, and generate sustainable revenue and EBIT gains.  Her proven successes, combined with her Master Degree in Training and Development, have shaped Ms. Dura’s uncanny ability to identify opportunities, build mutually rewarding partnerships and produce remarkable results. 

In addition, as a four-time Master and Unit Franchise Owner, Ms. Dura is in a very unique position to leverage her experiences and reputation at all levels in franchising along with her vast personal and professional investor network to drive immediate and long term results.   As OrthoNOW’s Chief Development Officer her role is to identify critical gaps in franchise growth and implement strategies to drive results. Her unique background allows her to leverage past experiences and solid reputation to spearhead OrthoNOW’s national expansion plans.