We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rebekah Lockhart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rebekah below.

Hi Rebekah, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time, I would have started my business sooner. When I finally decided to launch my agency, I was well established in my career, with decades of healthcare marketing experience and a strong understanding of the challenges independent physicians and medical groups face. I had built relationships, developed industry knowledge, and gained confidence in my approach. While that experience helped me succeed quickly, it also made me realize that I likely could have done this earlier.

When I started my business, I felt ready both professionally and personally. I knew there was a better way to help independent practices compete with large hospital systems, and I had grown frustrated with how things were being done in my previous role. That combination of experience and motivation pushed me to finally take the leap.

If I had started sooner, I think I would have learned lessons earlier, built my referral network faster, and had more time to grow the business over the long term. It may have felt riskier at the time, but looking back, I realize that much of what helped me succeed, including integrity, work ethic, and understanding client needs, were qualities I had already developed years before launching.

Starting later might have meant greater stability, but it would also have delayed the opportunity to do meaningful work on my own terms. Ultimately, I am grateful for the timing because it prepared me well, but if I had the chance to do it again, I would absolutely start sooner. I now try to encourage others considering entrepreneurship not to wait until everything feels perfect, because you are often more ready than you think.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

’ve always been drawn to both healthcare and marketing, so building a career that combines the two felt like a natural fit. At one point, I even considered becoming a physician, but the many years of schooling felt overwhelming. I realized I could still play an important role in healthcare by helping practices grow, communicate effectively, and connect with the patients who need them. Marketing allowed me to use both creativity and strategy while still making a meaningful impact in the healthcare space.
I spent decades working in healthcare marketing, gaining a deep understanding of how medical practices operate and the challenges they face, particularly independent physicians and smaller groups. Over time, I saw firsthand how difficult it was for them to compete with large hospital systems that had significantly bigger marketing budgets. I also noticed that many agencies didn’t fully understand healthcare, and as a result, practices were often encouraged to spend money in ways that weren’t strategic or effective. That experience ultimately led me to start my own agency, focused specifically on helping independent practices grow in a thoughtful, efficient, and meaningful way.

Today, I provide a wide range of healthcare marketing services, including strategic planning, branding, digital and social media marketing, content creation, email marketing, referral growth strategies, and community outreach. My work is centered on helping practices increase visibility, strengthen relationships with patients and referring providers, and grow sustainably. I focus on making sure every marketing dollar is used wisely and aligned with each client’s goals.

What sets me apart is that I am truly invested in my clients’ success. I don’t see myself as just a vendor, but as a partner. Their growth is my growth, and I work tirelessly to help them build and strengthen their practices. I also bring a strong sense of integrity and work ethic to everything I do. I believe in being honest, transparent, and thoughtful in my recommendations, even if that means advising against spending money in certain areas. My goal is always to do what is best for the practice long term.

I am especially proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients place in me. Much of my business comes from referrals, which I believe reflects the level of care and dedication I bring to my work. I’m also proud that my efforts help support independent practices, which in turn gives patients more choice in the type of care they receive. Supporting independent medicine isn’t just a business focus for me, it’s something I genuinely believe in.

The main thing I want potential clients and others to know is that I care deeply about the work I do and the people I work with. I approach every project with dedication, creativity, and a commitment to helping practices grow in a meaningful way. My brand is built on trust, integrity, and partnership, and I strive to make a positive impact not only for my clients, but for the communities they serve.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation has been built on consistency, integrity, and results over time. From the beginning, I made a commitment to always be honest and transparent with my clients, even when the recommendation meant they should spend less, not more. That approach helped build trust, and in healthcare marketing, trust is everything. Physicians and practice leaders want to know that the person guiding their strategy truly understands their goals and is looking out for their best interests.

My background in healthcare marketing also played a significant role. Because I spent decades working in this space, I understood the unique challenges independent physicians and practices face. I wasn’t learning the industry as I went. I was able to step in with practical strategies that were thoughtful, efficient, and tailored to practices competing with larger health systems. That level of understanding helped clients see me as a partner rather than just a marketing vendor.

I also made a conscious decision early on to stay professional and positive, even in challenging situations. Rather than speaking negatively about competitors or past experiences, I focused on doing good work and letting results speak for themselves. Over time, that consistency helped establish credibility within my market.

Ultimately, my reputation has been built by showing up, doing what I say I will do, caring about my clients, and delivering meaningful results.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I prioritize staying closely connected with my clients, and one of the most important ways I do that is by visiting them in person. I personally try to visit each client’s office at least once a month, and often more frequently. I don’t delegate this to staff because I believe those face-to-face interactions are incredibly valuable. The more time I spend in their offices, the more I learn about their workflows, challenges, team dynamics, and opportunities for growth. That firsthand understanding allows me to provide more meaningful support and truly help uplift their practices.

I also focus on being highly responsive and accessible. I make it a priority to answer emails quickly and be available when clients need guidance, even when their questions fall outside the formal scope of my work. When physicians or CEOs ask for help with something that isn’t technically marketing-related, I do my best to find answers or point them in the right direction. This has strengthened relationships and built trust because clients know I’m invested in their overall success, not just their marketing.

Interestingly, this approach has also helped me grow professionally. By supporting clients in areas beyond traditional marketing, I’ve gained knowledge in areas like payer mix, reimbursements, operational strategy, and practice growth. That broader understanding allows me to bring more value to my clients than a typical marketing agency. It also reinforces that I’m not just there to promote their practice, but to help them build a stronger, more sustainable business.
Ultimately, fostering brand loyalty comes down to being present, responsive, and genuinely invested. When clients see that you care about their success and are willing to go the extra mile, it naturally builds long-term relationships and loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.upliftmarketinggroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upliftmarketinggroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Uplift-Marketing-Group-100063924558418/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings/?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BIViXl0H5QJCgE36lNGHDrA%3D%3D