We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Fulton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa, appreciate you 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?
AuVan Clinic Health and Wellness Group derived from Aubrey and Vanessa, nurse practitioners who were inspired about 10 years ago to open a medical practice that would serve our communities. Our mission statement is at the core of our practice which is” to serve our communities by bridging health disparities while providing patient centered-care.” If you pay close attention to the word AuVan- you can see where Au-Van reflects both of our first names. Aubrey and I met in nursing school about 13 years ago, became a married couple after graduating from nursing school- we continue our journey in the nursing profession by obtaining higher nursing degrees that allowed us to practice autonomously in the state Florida. Our core belief system is seen in the name, due to a strong collaboration and amalgamation as a couple and the desire to serve people. I must add the idea of being the first 100% black owned nurse practitioners’ medical practice in Naples, FL was daunting; it took great effort, timing, and dedication to bring such idea to fruition. Studies have shown that patients providers who look like them result in those patients having a higher chance at longevity, optimal health and better cooperation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We at the AuVan Clinic cater to the whole individual. Our hope is when someone walks through our doors, they feel welcome, and peaceful. One of the persons stated, “One I leave your place and presence with such a wonderful inspiring feeling.”
About Vanessa Fulton: I am graduate with honors from Florida Atlantic University, fully licensed, autonomous board-certified Nurse Practitioner, who brings to the community, diverse, caring abilities which reflect my continued commitment to continued progress in improving the care of all patients. With over 12 years of nursing experience, I provide a unique clinical experience, enhanced by her cultural experience with a focus on palliative care, health promotion, disease prevention, patient advocacy, acute and chronic care management. I served in the community as a nurse educator as an adjunct nursing professor for Florida Southern Technical College. I take pride in serving as a mentor for new and established nurses while serving as a resource for new and established nurses. I was a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Additionally, she holds Center to Advanced Palliative Care Designations in pain management, symptom management and communication skills. On a personal level, I am pursuing a PhD in Clinical Christian Counseling and enjoys motivational speaking and participating as a Women’s Minister in the community. In addition to English, I am fluent in French Creole. I enjoy spending time with my family and love the beautiful landscape of Southwest Florida.
Services: We provide services such as concierge medical weight loss program which is very successful. Our trademark name SHEDloss(TM), “Shed it and forget it.” This program is designed to fit individual needs. No individual needs or goals are the same. At SHEDloss, we are accredited, utilize approved medications, life coaching, counseling tailored meal plans, and most importantly personal interaction with a certified provider.
The SHEDloss priniciples: Nutrition-focus on a healthy diet; Physical activity- Exercise has many health benefits and is important for maintaining your weight, Behavior- There are healthy behaviors (eating, psychological wellness, sleep) that can support your weight loss.
Medication management- Some will help with weight loss and others will prevent weight gain.
About SHEDloss
Make sure that our minds health is as important as keeping our bodies in good working order, and that is the reason SHEDloss is a holistic product and not a weight loss program.
We take great pleasure in seeing patients pursuing health and wellness and boosting overall confidence. Our primary care services focus on health prevention, promoting screening, health education, and chronic disease management.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I did a short YouTube video on Resilience- Vanessa Fulton Influential Women YouTube channel- Resilience kept me pursuing in what it might seem to be daunting task in the eyes of others. I remember the end of year 2020, I had strong desires to quit my full time Nurse Practitioner Job from a well-known hospital where I was well compensated; this move was necessary for me as a mother and wife to attend to the needs of my family, and ultimately purse my God given purpose. Resiliency is necessary to overcome barriers and roadblocks, thus becoming stronger individuals. Thomas Jefferson stated that “if you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something that you have never done”. Our first location was abruptly closed before we even opened our doors due to unforeseen situations. It would have been very easy for us to throw in the towel, return to our jobs with well-established salaries and continue to live a very comfortable life. We went back to the drawing table, became more involved, and made our business “our business” meaning try out outmost best to be involved in every process of the business in the infancy stage. One year later after not being able to open at our first location, we were up running in the new location-to which Aubrey drew the sketch/floorplan and create this current peaceful environment. I always say that our fingerprints are all over the practice.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
We were advised to apply for a business loan: one- we would not qualify for a business loan, and two-we strongly believe that we did not want to become borrowers so early in our business journey. We took our own money and loaned it to the business. Those monies were acquired over a period of ten years working in the field of nursing. We are glad that we were in the position to do so. We are fully vested in our mission of care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theauvanclinic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auvanclinic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auvanclinic