Nurse Entrepreneur Spotlight: Cat Golden

Cat Golden (BSN, RN) is a multi-faceted individual - a nurse, entrepreneur, connector, and the ultimate hype girl. After practicing as a nurse for six years and launching the successful Nurses Inspire Nurses community and brand, she launched a new career as a Brand Engagement Consultant called “Middle Woman.” Leveraging her expertise as a nurse, motivational speaker, community leader, brand builder, and master connector, Cat helps other entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, humanize their brands, and foster genuine connections.

Can you tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur in the healthcare industry?

After practicing as a nurse for six years, I started Nurses Inspire Nurses in 2018 out of a desire to support nurses as humans first and nurses second. In the six years of owning Nurses Inspire Nurses, I helped tens of thousands of nurses go from feeling isolated and alone, to feeling supported and appreciated.

In 2021, I decided that in order to continue giving back to nurses in a big way, I needed to begin partnering with amazing other brands who had a desire to spend their marketing dollars helping others. I decided then and there that I would be the “middle woman” between brands and the customers they wanted to reach. Through establishing strong relationships with Nurses Inspire Nurses’ brand partners — and my general knack for social media and creating content — we were able to give over 30,000 gifts to nurses.

I also had a time of self-discovery during which I realized I really loved the marketing portion of the business and no longer wanted to lead a team or be involved in operations. This is when I decided to work full-time as a Brand Engagement Consultant, leveraging my expertise as a motivational speaker, community leader, brand builder, and master connector.

 What inspired you to start your own venture in this field?

Once Nurses Inspire Nurses transitioned into acquisition, I seized the opportunity to delve into consulting, testing my innovative concepts with remarkable success. This journey led me to uncover my true calling in the realm of marketing and customer experience. After nurturing Nurses Inspire Nurses and collaborating with numerous brand partners, I identified a critical need in the market for authentic customer engagement. Recognizing the disconnect between brands and their customers, I discovered that human connection was the vital bridge missing.

Healthcare workers need all the love and support. As a nurse myself, I know just how difficult it can be working in a hospital setting. You are constantly giving to everyone else, and oftentimes you fall low on the list of priorities. With Nurses Inspire Nurses — and now with Middle Woman — I have and will continue to support and give back to nurses to help them feel the love and appreciation they so deserve. There are so many companies out there that want to support healthcare workers, and I now have the privilege of creating events and experiences that help nurses feel loved and supported.

What have been the biggest obstacles you've faced in launching and growing your healthcare business, and how have you overcome them? 

The biggest obstacles for me were related to processes and operations. I am a creative at heart, so I really struggled implementing systems, leading a team, and staying organized. This is something that I have worked really hard on over the last couple of years, but in the beginning it was a struggle.

Can you share any success stories or milestones that your company has achieved in improving healthcare outcomes or patient experiences?

I am most proud that Nurses Inspire Nurses was been able to give over 30,000 free gifts to nurses. We gave tens of thousands of nurses a safe place to be human and have provided countless hours of support over the years. I think I have struggled at times because a lot of what we created with Nurses Inspire Nurses was a feeling and intangible — but I know we changed lives!

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the healthcare industry with their own startups? 

Be you! It's the one thing I always go back to and will always tell anyone looking for advice. You have to be yourself and stay authentic to you. There are so many people in this world telling you how to act or be, but no matter what path you choose, you have to do what's best for you!!