Dr. Nadine Spring is Committed to Advancing Health Equity in Underserved Communities

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I’m Dr. Nadine Spring, the founder of SpringWell360, a company committed to advancing health equity by raising awareness of the crucial role clinical trials play in healthcare. At SpringWell360, we focus on educating underserved communities about the benefits and opportunities of clinical trials, ensuring they have access to cutting-edge treatments.

SpringWell360 offers online courses designed to empower the next generation of clinical research professionals. These courses help individuals enter the clinical research field and guide those aspiring to become adjunct professors. We emphasize the importance of diversity in research and provide resources to create more pathways for people to pursue impactful careers in clinical research.

Through education, training, and community engagement, SpringWell360 is advancing health equity and working to build a more inclusive, accessible healthcare landscape while creating educational opportunities for aspiring professionals.

Who are your customers?

Aspiring Clinical Research Professionals – Those who are seeking to break into the clinical research industry and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

PhD Holders – Individuals with advanced degrees who are looking to transition into academia or secure academic positions in public health, clinical research, or related fields.

Female Entrepreneurs in the Atlanta area– Women who are building their networks, seeking opportunities to grow and connect with like-minded professionals in the health and research sectors.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before starting SpringWell360, I built a strong foundation in both public health and clinical research. My career began with a focus on clinical trials, where I worked in various roles, including research coordinator and clinical research manager. I gained firsthand experience in how clinical trials can positively impact patients, particularly those living with conditions for which there are no cures. This experience fueled my passion for health equity and motivated me to pursue a deeper understanding of the disparities in healthcare.

I also worked as Director of Clinical Research at a major academic medical center. Over the years, I have held leadership positions where I focused on advancing health equity and increasing diversity in clinical trials. I often lend my expertise and mentor those in the field. My passion for empowering individuals in the clinical research and public health fields, combined with my expertise, led me to establish SpringWell360, where I could leverage my experience to help others break into the industry, pursue academic careers, and foster a more inclusive healthcare system.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

The decision to start SpringWell360 was driven by my desire to fill a gap in the healthcare and clinical research fields, specifically, the need for greater diversity and representation in clinical trials. Throughout my career in public health and clinical research, I saw firsthand how underserved communities, particularly people of color, often lack access to cutting-edge treatments due to their underrepresentation in clinical trials. I was passionate about the idea of increasing awareness of how clinical trials can provide life-changing opportunities and improving access to these trials for marginalized populations.

I wanted to empower the next generation of clinical research professionals and entrepreneurs, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in research, academia, and healthcare. I realized that by creating a platform like SpringWell360, I could combine my experience, passion for health equity, and commitment to education to create meaningful change. My goal became clear: to help increase awareness, provide the necessary tools for success, and bridge the gap for those who are often left out of the conversation, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and accessible healthcare landscape.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I would say I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, even if I didn’t know exactly where it would lead me. My first foray into entrepreneurship was when I started my own tutoring company,  helping high school and college students excel in math and science. It was a rewarding experience, as I loved empowering students to grasp challenging concepts and build their confidence. That initial venture sparked my interest in owning my own business and seeing the positive impact it could have on others.

However, my ultimate goal has always been to scale my business far beyond tutoring. With SpringWell360, I aim to create a larger platform that not only offers education and resources but also drives health equity and diversity in the clinical research and public health fields. I want to take what I learned from my previous entrepreneurial experience and grow SpringWell360 into a more expansive, impactful business that can empower the next generation of clinical research professionals and promote access to cutting-edge healthcare for underserved communities.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched SpringWell360, I have to admit, I didn’t have a solid marketing strategy in place. My initial thought was that I would create the business, set up the social media pages, and the business would just come. I assumed that having an online presence would naturally attract customers, especially given the passion I had for the mission and the services I was offering.

But, as you might guess, it didn’t go quite as planned. While social media gave me a platform, it wasn’t enough to drive the momentum I needed. I quickly realized that building a business, especially one with a focus on health equity and clinical research, requires a much more strategic approach. I had to focus on targeted outreach, networking, and building partnerships within the public health and clinical research communities.

I had to learn how to position my business, engage with my audience meaningfully, and consistently communicate my mission. Over time, I began focusing more on creating value through content, offering resources, and developing courses that resonated with my audience. I also relied heavily on word-of-mouth and referrals from those who believed in my vision.

In hindsight, I realize how important it is to have a clear, targeted marketing strategy from the start. While it didn’t go as planned initially, those early lessons were essential in shaping the way I approach marketing and growth now.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

The biggest challenge I’ve encountered so far with SpringWell360 has been the importance of planning, and always having a Plan B. Early on, I learned that running a business, especially one focused on something as complex as health equity and clinical research, requires more than just passion and vision. It requires a lot of foresight, strategy, and adaptability.

I initially had a vision of how everything would unfold, but the reality was that not everything went as expected. There were delays, unforeseen hurdles, and moments when things didn’t go according to plan. For example, when it came to launching new services or growing my audience, I sometimes found myself reacting to challenges rather than proactively preparing for them.

This experience taught me that flexibility is just as important as having a solid plan. Things can, and will, go wrong, but having a Plan B (and even a Plan C) allows you to stay focused, adapt to changes, and keep moving forward. I’ve learned that it’s not only about having a roadmap but also being willing to pivot, adjust, and keep learning as you go. The journey has been full of surprises, but each challenge has been a valuable lesson in resilience and adaptability.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of in SpringWell360 is hiring my first employee, my virtual assistant. It was a significant milestone for me, not just because I was expanding my team, but because it meant that my business was growing and I was able to delegate tasks to someone who could help bring my vision to life.

Having a virtual assistant has allowed me to focus more on the bigger picture, like expanding SpringWell360’s services and developing courses to help others break into clinical research and public health. It’s also a big step in scaling the business and creating a supportive work environment, even if it’s virtual. It made me realize the importance of building a team and how it can free up space for growth and new ideas.

That first hire was a moment of affirmation for me that all the hard work I’d put in was paying off and that SpringWell360 had the potential to grow into something even bigger. It also set the stage for future hires and helped me better understand how to structure and lead a team.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes, one of the recent wins I’m excited to celebrate with our community is that one of the clinical research sites we’ve partnered with has successfully met their clinical trial enrollment goals, thanks in large part to the efforts of SpringWell360.

This achievement is especially meaningful because it reflects the core mission of our business: increasing diversity in clinical trials and ensuring underrepresented communities have access to cutting-edge healthcare options. Our team worked hard to engage and recruit a diverse group of participants, and seeing the enrollment targets hit was a huge success not only for our business but for the community we’re striving to serve.

This win reinforces the impact we’re making in the clinical research space and motivates us to continue our work in raising awareness and improving access to clinical trials for everyone. It’s a reminder that with the right strategy, collaboration, and determination, we can make a real difference in the healthcare landscape.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Over the next few years, SpringWell360 is poised for exciting growth and expansion, and we have a lot in store for our community!

You can expect to see the release of books, including a series of children's books focused on health and wellness. These books will educate young readers about the importance of healthy living, diverse healthcare practices, and the value of scientific exploration, empowering them to think critically about health from an early age.

In addition, we'll be launching a variety of online courses designed to help individuals break into clinical research, advance their careers in public health, and gain insights on how to become successful adjunct professors. These courses will be packed with actionable strategies and expert advice to help students and professionals alike achieve their career goals.

We’re also planning to host live webinars on timely topics in clinical research, health equity, and public health, allowing our audience to interact with industry experts and gain valuable insights in real time.

As we continue to build our community, SpringWell360 will also be organizing and hosting gala events and conferences. These events will serve as platforms for knowledge-sharing, networking, and celebrating progress in women’s entrepreneurship, clinical research, and health equity. It will be an opportunity for like-minded professionals to come together, learn from each other, and work towards creating meaningful change in healthcare and beyond.

Lastly, we will be focusing on women’s entrepreneurship and networking, creating spaces for women to connect, collaborate, and grow their businesses in industries like public health, clinical research, and beyond.

As SpringWell360 continues to grow, our mission to raise awareness about clinical trials, health equity, and diversity will remain at the forefront of all our endeavors. We're excited for what’s to come and are committed to making a lasting impact in the healthcare and public health sectors.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Everyone says time blocking so I won't say that. My top productivity tip is waking early and being a part of that 5am club.  I take a look at my to-do list for the day and start working through it. 

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I prioritize me time and I set boundaries.  Running a business means I can work 24/7 if I want to.  However, I have set time that's for me and set that time that's for my family.  I also try to delegate tasks to my virtual assistant.  I also like to take time to do things I enjoy such as taking a walk outside to going to the gym.  This is my "me time." 

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

My approach to work-life balance is really about integration rather than strict separation. I’ve learned that balancing work, personal life, and self-care isn’t about compartmentalizing everything. It’s about creating harmony between the different areas of my life.

I also schedule regular time blocks to focus on my business, but I leave room for spontaneity and downtime. I’ve realized that it's important to be flexible; sometimes work might need to take precedence, and other times, personal life will.

I also make sure to set boundaries, especially with my time. If I’ve worked hard for the day, I don’t hesitate to disconnect and switch gears to spend quality time with loved ones or focus on personal growth, like reading or exercising.  It's important to have a nice balance. 

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is the importance of having a clear, actionable strategy from the beginning, especially for marketing and growth.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

Can you tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work and how you overcame it?  I find I can learn so much about a candidate in how they answer this question. I also love to have them tell me about themselves. 

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family:

Yes, I’m definitely a Mamaprenista! As a single mom, balancing a business and family life can be a challenge, but it's all about time management and finding support. One of the best things I’ve done to help manage both is having an au pair. This gives me the flexibility to focus on growing my business while also knowing my son is in good hands.

I also take advantage of the times when he’s with his dad. Those are the moments when I can really focus on building and growing SpringWell360, knowing that I have uninterrupted time to work. Outside of that, I’ve learned to work around my family’s schedule, such as finishing up work when my son goes to sleep or waking up early before he starts his day to send out emails or knock out tasks.

It’s all about finding pockets of time and maximizing them while also staying flexible and understanding that sometimes things don’t go as planned. It’s a balancing act, but with the right systems in place, it’s possible to manage both a thriving business and family life.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

The one app I absolutely cannot live without is Canva. I use it constantly to edit my posts for social media, create eye-catching graphics, and design content for SpringWell360. It’s such a versatile tool that allows me to stay creative and professional without needing advanced design skills. Canva makes it super easy to create high-quality visuals quickly, helping me keep my social media content fresh and engaging while saving me tons of time!

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

The my favorite business tool I cannot live without is Trello. It helps me stay organized by keeping all my tasks in one place, and I love the feeling of crossing off items when I’m done. Whether I’m working on multiple projects or need to keep track of various ideas, Trello allows me to easily manage everything in one spot. I can add notes, create lists, and visually track my progress, which helps me see my thought process and stay on top of everything. It’s an essential tool for managing both my business and personal life!

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas is simple: Create your plan and launch your business. Don’t wait for the perfect moment because it may never come. Trust in your abilities, take that first step, and start building. Your sisters are waiting for you—there are people out there who need what you have to offer, and you have a unique value to bring to the table.

It's not always going to be easy, but the key is to stay committed, adapt as needed, and remember why you started in the first place. You have the power to create the life and business you desire—just take the leap!

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!