This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

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This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

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In this episode of BootstrapMD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming opens up about the breaking point that forced him to ask for help. Bad location, useless equipment, $5,000 Valpak disasters, and exactly one patient looking for free advice  until one desperate phone call to a mentor turned everything around.

From avoiding the crushing "stupid tax" and compressing years into months, to getting ruthless accountability, emotional support through the lows, real-world playbooks no CME ever teaches, instant network expansion, burnout prevention, borrowed confidence, and staying ethical while scaling — Mike proves mentorship isn't optional for physician entrepreneurs. It's the difference between surviving and thriving.

If you've ever thought "I'm a doctor I should be able to figure this out alone," this episode is your wake-up call.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Stop paying the "stupid tax" on your own: Find a mentor who has already lost the money and time on the exact mistakes you're about to make — wrong EMRs, useless marketing agencies, bad locations and shortcut years of expensive trial-and-error in a single conversation.
2. Make a list today of three physicians who are 2–5 years ahead of where you want to be: Reach out and book a paid 60-minute consultation, never ask for free advice. Respect their time, get laser-focused answers, and start implementing immediately.
3. Audit your business honestly: if you got hit by a bus tomorrow, would it survive without you? Build systems, hire replaceable team members, cut clinical hours, and create a practice that serves your life instead of chaining you to it — that's the real freedom entrepreneurship promises. 

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career. 

Tune in weekly at  http://bootstrapmd.com 

 About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com 

 Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!