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Healthy Self-Employment
Dr. Dana P. Wade, the CEO of Excellent Health LLC, is a NASE member from Bridgeport, Connecticut and a Medical Doctor with 9 years of experience in diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention. He has helped thousands of Connecticut residents to reduce their risk factors for developing diabetes and heart disease and improve their health. In 2019, he was awarded a Hometown Hero recognition.
When and why did you join the NASE?
I joined the National Association for the Self-Employed in 2020 in hopes to grow my network and improve business skills.
What inspired you to enter the field you are in?
Our vision is to make prevention of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and COVID-19 complications accessible to everyone at increased risk for these conditions, regardless of income, gender, age, race, or ethnicity. Excellent Health LLC fulfills this vision by eliminating financial and logistical barriers that prevent minority and low socioeconomic status populations from accessing preventative evidence-based intervention.
When and why did you start your business?
Founded in January 2020, Excellent Health LLC is a minority-owned organization with a mission to delay or prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and COVID-19 complications by providing a CDC-recognized evidence-based lifestyle change program with a focus on under-served communities and addressing the social determinants of health.
How do you market your business?
The main ways I market my business is press coverage and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
What challenges have you faced in your business?
Like most businesses, getting new customers is always a challenge. I work to overcome this by increasing my advertising budget.
Do you have any employees?
Yes, I currently have 5 full time employees and 14 contractors.
What’s your schedule like, what’s a typical day for you?
Due to the nature of my work, I have a more traditional schedule where I work Monday through Friday from 9am until 5pm.
What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
The best thing about being self-employed is the flexibility, freedom to innovate, and ability to build wealth in ways of my own choosing.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a client?
The best compliment that I have received is when I was told, “I am compassionate and passionate about my business.”
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to someone starting their own business?
The most important piece of advice I would give is to work hard, network as much as possible, and be patient.