We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Asia Standifer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Asia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The idea of starting Polk Concierge Medical Group stemmed from a deep desire to provide patient-centered, accessible, and comprehensive healthcare. Having worked in large academic hospitals and high-acuity critical care settings, I saw firsthand the gaps in healthcare—long wait times, lack of individualized care, and barriers to preventive wellness. I wanted to create a practice that not only addressed these issues but also prioritized personalized medicine, medical weight loss, and wellness services tailored to each patient’s needs.

Starting my own practice was both an exciting and daunting process. The first major step was defining the mission and vision for Polk Concierge—what would set us apart? I knew I wanted to integrate concierge medicine with specialized services such as medical weight loss, wellness optimization, and chronic disease management. As a medical provider, my instinct was to focus on patient care, but running a practice also meant learning the business side of healthcare—billing, marketing, operations, and compliance.

The first crucial step in launching the practice was establishing Polk Concierge Medical Group as a legal entity, securing medical licenses, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Unlike traditional practices that rely heavily on insurance reimbursements, I had to map out a financial model that balanced concierge-based services with accessible pricing.

Deciding on the best service model was something that evolved over time. The practice initially launched as a telemedicine service in 2023 but quickly transitioned to a brick-and-mortar clinic in November 2023—and we’ve been growing ever since. Finding the right location, setting up the office, and investing in technology (EMR systems, telehealth capabilities, and patient management tools) were all crucial steps in this transition.

One of the most surprising experiences in launching the practice was how quickly it grew. Since we weren’t part of a large hospital system with built-in referrals, community outreach and branding played a major role in building our client base. I leveraged my background, professional network, and social media to attract patients seeking personalized healthcare solutions. As the demand increased, I focused on hiring staff who aligned with my vision and values, ensuring that every provider and team member prioritized compassionate, patient-first care.

If I could do it over again, I would have:

Started networking earlier – Building relationships with local physicians, business leaders, and community health organizations would have helped accelerate growth.
Invested in digital marketing sooner – I underestimated the power of SEO, paid advertising, and content marketing in reaching a broader audience faster.
Implemented stronger systems from the beginning – Having better automation for patient scheduling, follow-ups, and administrative tasks would have streamlined operations and saved time.
Advice for Aspiring Practice Owners
Define Your “Why” – Be clear about your mission and what makes your practice unique. A strong foundation will guide your decisions.
Learn the Business Side of Healthcare – It’s not just about patient care; understanding billing, operations, and marketing is critical.
Build a Strong Network – Surround yourself with mentors, local professionals, and like-minded healthcare providers who can support your journey.
Start Lean, Then Scale – You don’t need a massive staff or office right away. Grow strategically based on demand.
Invest in Technology & Marketing – Automation, SEO, and branding can make all the difference in scaling your practice efficiently.

Starting Polk Concierge Medical Group has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It’s not just about providing healthcare—it’s about transforming patient experiences and making a lasting impact on the community. For anyone considering starting their own practice, my advice is simple: Take the leap, stay adaptable, and always keep patient care at the center of what you do.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a board-certified, Docotorally prepared Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Polk Concierge Medical Group My journey into healthcare began with a passion for patient-centered care, preventative medicine, and wellness I have extensive experience in internal medicine, neurocritical care, and high-acuity critical care, having worked in large academic hospitals in Birmingham, Alabama, and Central Florida.

Seeing these challenges firsthand led me to create Polk Concierge Medical Group, a practice designed to provide personalized, accessible, and high-quality healthcare. I wanted to move away from the traditional, insurance-driven model and instead prioritize patient care without the red tape. My focus has always been on helping patients achieve sustainable health goals, whether through weight loss, chronic disease management, or overall wellness optimization.

What We Offer at Polk Concierge Medical Group

-Medical Weight Loss Programs – Including GLP-1 medications to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
-Wellness & Preventative Care – Optimizing overall health through nutritional counseling, metabolic assessments, and lifestyle medicine.

-Testosterone Replacement Helping patients manage hormonal imbalances, and improving quality of life

-Flexible Appointments– Providing convenient and efficient virtual consultations for patients who prefer remote access to expert care.

Our goal is simple: To help patients take control of their health through evidence-based, innovative, and patient-first medical solutions.

One of my proudest achievements is seeing the transformations in my patients’ lives. Whether it’s someone losing weight after struggling for years, reversing chronic disease, or finally feeling heard and supported in their healthcare journey, those moments make everything worth it.

I’m also incredibly proud of growing Polk Concierge Medical Group from the ground up, transitioning from telehealth to a brick-and-mortar clinic, and building a practice that prioritizes patient well-being.

Beyond my work at Polk Concierge, I’m also the founder of The Gibson-Standifer Scholarship Foundation, which supports aspiring healthcare students—a way to give back and uplift the next generation of medical professionals.

What I Want Potential Clients & Followers to Know:
-Your Health Should Be a Priority – We believe in preventative care and sustainable wellness solutions that help you achieve lifelong health, not just short-term fixes.
-We Provide a Modern, Personalized Approach to Healthcare – No more long wait times or cookie-cutter treatment plans—at Polk Concierge Medical Group, your health goals become our mission.
-We Are Here to Educate & Empower – Through patient education, personalized guidance, and cutting-edge medical advancements, we help you make informed health decisions.
-We Are Growing & Expanding Services – As our patient base grows, so do our services, technology, and offerings, ensuring we provide the best possible care.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The growth of Polk Concierge Medical Group has been an incredible journey, and a lot of it comes down to a combination of word-of-mouth, SEO optimization, and social media. I knew from the start that providing exceptional patient care would be my biggest asset, and that’s exactly what’s fueled our expansion.

Word-of-mouth has been huge. When you genuinely care about your patients and provide them with results, they naturally want to tell their friends, family, and colleagues. I started seeing patients referring others early on, and before I knew it, we were growing faster than I even expected. It’s such a rewarding feeling when people come in saying, “My friend told me about you, and I had to check it out.” That’s when you know you’re doing something right.

At the same time, I quickly realized how important SEO and a strong digital presence were. These days, when people need a medical provider or a weight loss solution, the first thing they do is Google it. I made sure Polk Concierge Medical Group was easy to find online. We invested in SEO Optimizaation service so that when someone in Central Florida searches for weight loss services, concierge medicine, or wellness care, our name pops up. We also focused on building credibility through online reviews—people trust what others say, and having real patient testimonials has been a game-changer.

And then, of course, there’s social media. That’s where I get to really connect with people. I use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok not just to market services but to educate, inspire, and engage. I post health tips, patient success stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what we do at the clinic. I’ve even done live Q&As where people can ask about weight loss or wellness topics. It’s all about making healthcare feel approachable and personal.

At the end of the day, the key to our growth has been authenticity and consistency. We’re not just selling services—we’re building trust and relationships. Whether it’s through a personal referral, an online search, or a social media post that resonates with someone, people come to us because they feel seen, heard, and valued. And that’s exactly the kind of healthcare experience I set out to create.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

My journey into funding my practice was all about self-discipline and strategic planning. I didn’t take out any loans—I was completely self-funded. Every dollar that went into starting Polk Concierge Medical Group came from my own earnings working as a Hospitalist in Birmingham, Alabama, and Neurocritical care in Tampa, Florida.

I always knew that I wanted to build something of my own, so even while working long shifts in the hospital setting, I was focused on saving and investing wisely.

When the time came to launch, I started lean and strategic. I initially opened as a telemedicine practice, which allowed me to keep overhead costs low while still delivering high-quality care. As demand grew, I reinvested my earnings into transitioning to a brick-and-mortar clinic in November 2023. That shift required a bigger financial commitment—securing a location, furnishing the space, investing in technology—but because I had planned ahead, I was able to make the move without financial strain.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Self-funding gave me the freedom to build my practice exactly how I envisioned it, without outside pressure or compromises. It also reinforced the value of financial discipline and strategic growth. For anyone looking to start their own business, my biggest advice is to have a financial plan, be patient, and invest wisely—it’s worth it in the long run!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://PolkConcierge.com
• Instagram: PolkConciergeMedicalGroup
• Facebook: Polk Concierge Medical
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PolkConciergeMedicalGroup

Image Credits

MayaBPhotography