Meet Rashida McKnight | The Nursepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rashida McKnight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rashida, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well I’ve started a few businesses in the past because I wanted to know what it’s like to be my own boss, to be in control of my time & not put a cap on my money. So each business has it’s own purpose but my current business that I’m working on launching has a completely different purpose than any other business I have ever started. I’m currently working on launching a Drug Testing Center & Clinical Lab. This business is different because not only is its purpose different but it’s helping me find my purpose & to walk in it. It sometimes takes multiple tries before you get to what fits & I feel like the Lab is what fits. This business allows me to help others which is just what I do, it’s a business I can leave to my kids & it’s a business that allows me to still be a nurse which is something I love doing. With my other businesses, I didn’t go step by step at times I almost winged it. I didn’t build the foundation correctly from the start which meant it was a lot of trial & error. With the lab, I hired a team to help me. I have a business coach/mentor, I have a media team, I have a marketing team & I actually have employees. So that’s something different because I’m use to doing everything & wearing all the hats but this time I’m not which is why I think the flow of this business just feels so right.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well I’m the best of both worlds so to say. I have a Corporate background as well as Medical. I’m a HBCU graduate of the Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge with a Bachelor in Marketing. I then pursued a Master’s in Business Administration and a second Master’s in Information Systems. Now what’s crazy is my initial major in undergraduate was nursing only to revisit a practical nursing program years later. I’ve been an LPN now for 6 years with experience in Detox/Substance Abuse, Psych, Corrections and a few more areas. I’ve also completed a few travel assignments so I think I’m well diverse in quite a few areas of Nursing. I love helping others which is one of the reasons I think I’m good nurse.

I can definitely say my career wasn’t the easiest but anything easy isn’t worth having. I’ve learned so much from both backgrounds which has made me so well rounded. Now I do tend to overthink sometimes due to that corporate background but I do tend to research thoroughly because of both backgrounds. I believe my education & work environment taught me that it’s important to know how to pivot as well as adapt.

I think the main thing I want the world to know about me is that I am a Mom, a Nurse & a Serial Entrepreneur. My brand is described like that because its my authentic life, no sugar coating just a lot of hard work & dedication. I want to motivate others to just be you & know there’s no playbook on life, You have to live your life & do what works for you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well in Baton Rouge, we can eat at J. Alexander which is one of my favorites, Zea’s, Bonefish Grill and Nothing Bundt Cakes for some tasty dessert. Other than that, if it’s a friend of mine they definitely are looking for me to cook lol. We can also visit New Orleans which is about an hour away and there it’s so many places we can go.

I like movies, bowling, shopping & eating so I tend to stay in those areas for outings.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Most definitely! First & foremost God because without him there’s no me. Secondly, my kids because they are truly my motivation. Last but not least My Business Coach Michelle Foye for working with me and giving me the blueprint to the transportation & medical network when she didn’t have to. As humans, I think we tend to take things for granted & not give others their flowers but I definitely appreciate my Business Coach.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamthenursepreneur

Image Credits
Peymac Media