Clinician Entrepreneurship and the Start Up Life: Private Practice & Product
At the 2024 Pinnacle Conference, Dr. Kristina Collins—Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon—shared her unfiltered journey from burned-out physician to thriving entrepreneur.
As co-founder of Austin Skin and creator of the clean, evidence-based skincare line FOY by Dr. Collins, she opened up about private practice ownership, product development, and the mindset shifts that changed everything.
You can access the full talk and earn FREE CE/CME credits by streaming this talk on the Learn at Pinnacle app.
Alongside this talk, you'll find a growing library of education from creators you love—designed to help you lead, launch, and live your fullest life in and out of the clinic.
Other Valuable Topics Covered in the Full Talk:
The financing journey: small bank vs. big bank loans
Branding and interior design tips for new practices
Navigating patient communication and dual roles as a physician and product founder
Common retail startup pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
The importance of community, PR, and mentorship in growth
Why Physician Entrepreneurship Matters Now More Than Ever
We talk a lot about how more women are entering medicine—and yes, that’s worth celebrating.
But as Dr. Kristina Collins reminds us, that’s not the whole story. Fewer women are owning their work. Even fewer are being recognized as the leaders and builders they are.
It’s not just about getting in.
It’s about shaping what comes next.
“As we shattered the glass ceiling, they were building more floors—and on those floors, the playing field is anything but equal.”
The Hidden Power Shift in Medicine
Dr. Collins points to a shift we can’t ignore:
Just as women became the majority in med school (2018), most physicians became employees (2017–2018).
The timing? Not a coincidence.
As more women stepped into medicine, autonomy and ownership started slipping through the cracks.
And the gender pay gap? It widened.
This is what happens when systems weren’t built for us—but expect us to thrive in them anyway.
Today:
Only 15–18% of healthcare CEOs are women
Just 2% of VC funding goes to female founders
Male physicians will earn $2 million more than women over a lifetime
And still—
The data couldn’t be clearer:
Women-led companies outperform.
Women physicians improve outcomes.
Women leaders deliver stronger returns.
So why are we still being held back?
Why is the system so slow to catch up to what’s already proven?
Real Barriers, Real Solutions
Dr. Collins acknowledges the barriers we face:
Gender pay and funding gaps
Underrepresentation in healthcare leadership
A lack of mentorship and networks
The mental load of domestic life
Cultural messaging about humility, sacrifice, and money
But she doesn’t just name the challenges—
She reframes them as the exact reasons we need more women in the room.
And more women leading it.
“Female physicians have qualities that make us exceptional entrepreneurs. We can multitask, we can perform under stress, we communicate, we empathize.”
Why Now Is the Time
The moment is now.
New models of care. Direct-to-consumer health. Tech. Social media.
They’re not just trends—they’re levers.
Scalable, impactful, values-driven ways to lead.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about business.
It’s about reclaiming autonomy. Practicing on your terms.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in, burnt out, or pulled toward something more—
That’s not random.
That’s a calling.
And you don’t need permission to answer it.
Building a Private Practice with Purpose
Dr. Collins doesn’t sugarcoat it—her leap into entrepreneurship was born from burnout.
“ I was crying in my car and I’m not a crier. I’m sunshine and glitter. That moment made me ask, what are you doing here? You deserve more.”
That low point sparked a bold decision: to walk away from a private equity-owned practice and build something better—with her best friend and co-founder by her side.
Designing a Practice that Reflects Your Values
Launching Austin Skin in February 2020, Dr. Collins and her co-founder faced immediate challenges—namely, a global pandemic. But their success stemmed from one guiding principle: build a space that aligns with your mission.
Top Takeaways for New Practice Owners:
Layout Matters: A U-shaped office fosters visibility, communication, and team-based care.
Skip the Traditional Office: Ditch physician offices for shared space and invest in your break room instead.
Standing Desks > Sitting Desks: They improve flow and teamwork.
Design for Comfort: Think cozy bathrooms, soothing TVs in rooms, refreshments, and thoughtful storage solutions.
“Patients always comment on our bathrooms. If they feel comfortable, they trust you more. It’s the little things.”
Branding as a Healing Experience
From murals and neon signs to a signature color palette, Dr. Collins emphasizes the importance of Instagrammable moments and brand consistency. But this isn’t vanity—it’s visibility.
“People recognize us by the photo background. That’s branding. It helps patients remember you—and refer others.”
Whether you’re starting from scratch or rebranding a legacy practice, intentional design isn’t just aesthetic—it’s strategic.
Tips for Getting Started on a Budget
Source furniture from outlets, resale stores, or Wayfair
Choose 1–2 statement design features (like a tile wall or floral installation)
Skip expensive sinks in every room unless clinically necessary
Design your space with future growth in mind—you’ll likely outgrow it sooner than you think
Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need the perfect plan—just the courage to begin. Your vision, even scrappy and small, is worth building.
From Side Hustle to Skincare Empire
If private practice was Dr. Collins’ first entrepreneurial venture, her skincare line FOY by Dr. Collins was the next evolution—a leap into non-clinical entrepreneurship driven by purpose.
Sacred Skills: Your Childhood Passions Hold Clues
“Before the world told you who to be, what did you love?”
This is what Collins calls your sacred skills—the natural interests and gifts that you had as a child. For her, it was wellness, beauty, and breaking norms. Combine that with her learned skills (dermatology, patient care), and you get a skincare line that’s disrupting both beauty and medicine.
FOY blends clean, holistic ingredients with dermatologically proven actives. But it also adds something unique: an immersive skincare ritual designed to turn self-criticism into self-compassion.
“We use skincare time to tear ourselves down. I wanted to change that—to make it a meditative, empowering moment.”
The Business Behind the Beauty
Launching a product line means navigating a whole new world:
Market research: Who is your customer? What problem are you solving?
Naming & trademarks: Do this early to avoid legal issues later
Packaging: It’s your first impression—plan it as early as product development
Testing & certifications: Mandatory (microbial, shelf life) and optional (RIPT, cruelty-free)
Marketing & PR: Embrace UGC (user-generated content) over costly photo shoots
“Packaging might matter more than the product itself—because that’s what gets the customer. The formula is what keeps them.”
Money Mindset: The Most Overlooked Block to Growth
Dr. Collins saves her most powerful message for last—and it’s not about branding or funding. It’s about our beliefs around money.
“Say it with me: I love money. Feels weird, right? That’s a problem.”
She leads the audience through a one-minute money meditation, helping women release subconscious narratives like:
“Money is greedy”
“I can’t be rich and good”
“Success means sacrifice”
“These beliefs are sabotaging you. You can’t attract abundance while resenting it.”
Try this: For 30 days, spend one minute visualizing your abundant, successful self. Write down your financial goals. Speak them aloud. Claim your space at the table.
You can be both healer and founder. You can build a brand that changes lives and builds wealth. The only thing stopping you—is the belief that you can’t.
What to Do When You’re Overthinking Your Big Idea
“When in doubt, overdress and underthink.”
Too many brilliant women never start because they over-plan themselves into paralysis. Collins encourages a more flexible approach—test, iterate, grow.
Entrepreneurship is not a final exam. It’s a living, breathing process. You learn by doing. You pivot through failure. You create something beautiful—one step at a time.
Practical Tips:
Start with a “minimum viable product” (MVP)
Don’t wait until it’s perfect
Validate your idea by asking your audience
Use consultants, not employees, in the beginning to stay nimble
Let your community help you build
“Imagine if you knew all the things that would go wrong in med school. You’d never have gone. Sometimes it’s better to just take it day by day.”
Conclusion: You Are the Innovation Medicine Needs
Dr. Kristina Collins’ story isn’t just inspirational—it’s instructional. She shows us what’s possible when women physicians reclaim their creativity, challenge their conditioning, and build from a place of vision and value.
Recap:
Entrepreneurship matters—especially as medicine grows more corporate and less equitable
Private practice is powerful—and doable with vision and support
Non-clinical ventures thrive—when you align your sacred and learned skills
You already have everything you need to start. The only permission you need is your own.
🎧 Next Steps:
Stream the full talk & earn your CE/CME credits at Learn at Pinnacle
Try the 30-day money mindset meditation
Brainstorm your sacred skills and business idea
Share this article with another woman in medicine who’s dreaming of more
✨ There’s room for all of us at the top—and we’re building the ladder together.
