As we entertained last issue, perhaps we are NOT crazy to want to expand our urgent care business in the face of economic uncertainty, looming national healthcare legislation, multi-billion dollar government give-aways, and the regular stresses of starting and growing a new business. Perhaps we ARE crazy if we want to grow that same business beyond our local market!
If you really want to grow, expansion to other markets outside your existing area is a major and exciting challenge. The farther a field you go from your existing sites, the more you may be reinventing the wheel of suppliers, referrals, staffing, and other infrastructure. What motivates you to set up clinics beyond the local environment? Did your original business plan include regional or national growth? Do you have a colleague or close friend who is inviting or even begging you to help them establish private urgent care in their city?
Foremost among the challenges you will face moving outside your existing market is finding successful locations, financing growth, leveraging your talent pool, promoting your business in a new market, and verifying your business model. Like your first site, the new location will not be self supporting for months. Who is financing that capital investment? Are you going to reassign existing staff to man the new location and backfill at home, or hire an entirely new staff?
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