We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Nicole Rochester. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Nicole below.
Hi Dr. Nicole, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Your Next Chapter, LLC was birthed from a very painful divorce journey and is a testament to the power of healing, reinvention, and embracing new seasons of life after “divine disruptions”. In February 2024, a few months before my divorce was finalized, a dear friend invited me to join her for a spa weekend to celebrate her milestone birthday. While having dinner our first evening, I had a private conversation with the server to inform him we were celebrating her birthday. Without my knowledge, she had a private conversation with the server to inform him I was celebrating a new season. He came to our table at the end of the meal with TWO cakes, two candles and two cards. Her card said “Happy Birthday!” and mine said “Cheers to a New Chapter!” This idea of a new chapter stuck with me as I began to reflect on what my life would look like post-divorce. In March 2024, I hosted a “Freedom Party” to celebrate my new season and to thank my friends and family for their support. The theme for the party was “Nicole’s Next Chapter”. In April 2024 I got a spiritual download that my next business would be called “Your Next Chapter”. I filed the formal business entity a few months later and launched my podcast, Your nEXt Chapter w/ Dr. Nicole on 11/4/24, my late mother’s birthday.
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.
I am a pediatrician who left a lucrative, fulfilling career in medicine in 2017 to become a purpose-driven entrepreneur. I started my first business, Your GPS Doc, LLC, after a 3-year journey caring for my late father, who had multiple chronic illnesses and vascular dementia. While caring for my dad I attended many of his medical appointments and was at his bedside during visits to the Emergency Room and during hospital stays. I had to repeatedly advocate for my father in healthcare settings, and realized that my medical knowledge, my understanding of the healthcare system, and my confidence escalating my concerns improved the care my father received. Your GPS Doc began as a professional health advocacy company, providing direct services to individuals and families struggling to navigate our complicated healthcare system. We have now expanded to providing healthcare consulting services, with expertise in patient and family engagement and health equity.
My second business, Your Next Chapter, LLC, was created in 2024 from the pain of ending a 28-year marriage. As a recovering perfectionist and accomplished high-achiever, I thought I could fix my marriage. I am not a quitter and I had made a promise to myself that I would be the one to break the cycle of divorce in my family. My Christian values also made it difficult to entertain divorce as an option, but after the discovery of longstanding infidelity and betrayal, I knew that I needed to (finally) choose me. My healing journey involved lots of self-discovery, including the revelation that vulnerability is my super power. I learned how to ask for and accept help and have healed in community. Through the Your nEXt Chapter Podcast w/ Dr. Nicole and intimate, heart-centered virtual and in-person events, we are cultivating safe spaces for high-achieving women to heal from unexpected life transitions, reclaim their identity, and create the life they deserve. Just 7 months after launching the podcast, we have over 7500 downloads and over 50 5-star ratings. We have a growing listener base that spans 4 of the 7 continents. Most importantly, I hear from listeners weekly about the ways the podcast is shifting mindsets and changing lives. It is truly a ministry and I feel blessed to be in this space. There are a lot of exciting things in store, including coaching services, merchandise and luxurious retreats.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The main lesson I have had to unlearn is the idea that perfectionism is the road to success. The roots of perfectionism were planted during my childhood. I was a straight-A student and high-achiever and I loved the praise I received from others when I did well. Perfectionism was rewarded throughout my educational journey and was a requirement for success during my medical career.
When I transitioned into entrepreneurship, I carried a lot of invisible baggage related to perfectionism. It caused me to delay taking important actions, to be overly critical of what I wrote/said/shared/offered, and to question the impact my work would have. Ultimately, one of my business coaches shared that “done is better than perfect” and eventually, I began to internalize this mantra. I still strive for excellence, but I now realize that perfection is not only an unachievable goal, but it represents the most selfish and unhealed part of our ego. Who are we to withhold our gifts and talents from the world? I now lead with my heart, my intuition, and the belief that my businesses have a purpose and a mission that is far beyond what I will ever know.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for both of my businesses has been my personal network and word-of-mouth referrals. When I launched Your GPS Doc in 2017, I sent an email to approximately 75 of my close friends, family members, and colleagues letting them know about my new business. A few months later, I worked with my first client- a friend, fellow pediatrician and former coworker. When her father became ill and she needed assistance navigating his care, she remembered my email and reached out to ask if she could hire me. Since then, I have continued to acquire new clients for health advocacy, healthcare consulting, and business coaching through word-of-mouth referrals.
When I was preparing to launch the Your nEXt Chapter Podcast w/ Dr. Nicole, I was very intentional about sharing with family, friends, colleagues and members of my church. By the time the first episode was released in November 2024, I already had a dedicated audience who has continued to listen and share the podcast with individuals in their networks. The success of my first in-person event, Cuisine & Conversations, was largely due to members of my personal and professional network. A few of the attendees invited a friend and even purchased their ticket. This has expanded my reach and helped me to grow my community. I am eternally grateful for individuals who take the time to share what I’m doing with others and I will always invest time in nurturing these important relationships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yournextchapter.co
, https://www.yourgpsdoc.com - Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/
yournextchapter.co, https://www.instagram.com/ thegsdoc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md
Image Credits
Jendayi Asha Creative