What's a doctor to do when she sees people ailing? Cure the ailment.
That's exactly what Dr. Paula Hartzell has done in the Joplin area as an urgent-care physician and as an entrepreneur.
The ailment she addresses as an entrepreneur is a dearth of business training opportunities in the areas of leadership and professional and personal development. A 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Navy C-130 navigator, Hartzell first explored the topic of leadership as an instructor in the Navy.
Later as a civilian, after completing her medical studies, Hartzell consistently observed dramatic improvements in the health of people who adopted changes in lifestyle. That led her to the idea of starting a consulting business devoted to professional and personal development to help people explore potentially beneficial changes in their approaches to work and their everyday lives.
Her medical duties in the emergency room are demanding and her schedule is more than hectic, but it's predictable.
"I'm on duty in urgent care for long, but set periods of time," she explains. "In addition I don't have the time constraints of a standard medical practice."
So in her off-time Hartzell is free to devote her attention to other things. Her business, Paula J. Hartzell, M.D., P.C., has been the dominant other thing capturing her attention.
"Blending her medical training and leadership background, Paula has developed professional development training that addresses organizational as well as individual well-being," says Karen Bradshaw, business counselor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. The SBDC is affiliated with the statewide Missouri SBDCs, which are part of the University of Missouri's Extension business development program.
"Paula provides entertaining presentations with solid foundations, emphasizing practical tools for audiences to readily apply."
Through her company Hartzell offers training via seminars, workshops and individual coaching on a range of topics: personal efficiency, leadership, professional development, life-balancing and stress management.
Shortly after starting her consulting business in 2002, Hartzell found herself at a crossroads: relying on the relatively expensive support of commercial agencies was becoming too costly for her small, one-woman professional corporation. That's when she turned to Bradshaw and the SBDC for help.
"When I discovered the amazing range of services and high quality of instruction offered through the SBDC, I realized that I would not be able to locate this assistance from any other source at any price," says Hartzell. "Since the SBDC is designed for small enterprise, they focus on specific advice and training that directly applies to your individual business."
Hartzell's business has benefited from the SBDC's many programs and services, such as Bradshaw's advice on outsourcing, marketing techniques, brochure development, presentations, networking and Web site development. The SBDC also offers a range of affordable business training courses.
After taking advantage of the SBDC's expert advice Hartzell is in a better position to offer her consulting services. Consequently, in a symbiotic relationship, Hartzell has joined with the SBDC to offer leadership and professional development workshops, which have greatly expanded her business and complement the offerings of the SBDC.
And because of the impressive strides she has taken with her firm, Paula Hartzell will represent the SBDC at the second annual Client Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Thursday, Feb. 9, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.
At that event hosted by MO SBDC, Hartzell and representatives from more than a dozen other outstanding Missouri companies will meet with legislators to discuss their products and services. They also will be recognized for their contributions to the economic development of the state of Missouri. Recognition from MO SBDC will be accompanied by legislative resolutions presented by each company's district state senator and state representative.
For more information on the services of the MO SBDC program, call Karen Bradshaw at 417-625-9520 or e-mail her at bradshaw-k@mssu.edu
Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur
