As I wrap up my first year as Chair and Founder of the ADCES Connect Entrepreneurship Community of Interest, I am deeply inspired by the creativity and innovation of my peers.

What started as a simple desire to bring like-minded professionals together—those working outside traditional settings in diabetes care and education—has transformed into a year of professional growth, enriching networking opportunities, and the empowering realization that running a successful consultancy is possible.

Join me as I share insights and reflect on the invaluable wisdom offered by seasoned DCES entrepreneurs.

The Launch of the Entrepreneurship COI

The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) is a professional organization dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care, education, and support for individuals living with or at risk for diabetes. ADCES fosters professional growth through education, advocacy, and the promotion of innovative practices.

Communities of Interest (COIs) are designed to bring together professionals with similar practice settings, target audiences, or scopes of practice. Entrepreneurs, however, bring a unique energy, as their work spans diverse environments and industries—they truly are everywhere! Creating a dedicated space for collaboration was essential for fostering innovation and growth. And with that, the Entrepreneurship COI was born.

Key Themes from Entrepreneur Interviews

As a platform for generating meaningful content and discussion, I launched a monthly blog series called “Interview with an Entrepreneur.” It gave me the opportunity to reach out personally to DCES entrepreneurs I’ve been following in the community.

I was impressed by their generosity in answering questions and sharing their wisdom. They all acknowledged the support they received along the way and embraced the idea of paying it forward. Here are some themes that truly stood out to me.

The Power of Personal Experience

Successful businesses are often built upon meaningful personal experiences. This foundation provides a deep sense of purpose and authenticity, which can resonate with customers and clients.

Quisha Umemba, Founder and CEO of Umemba Health, leverages her personal experiences to address real-world challenges. Her journey in public health is deeply rooted in her firsthand exposure to systemic gaps, particularly the lack of diversity in diabetes conferences—a stark contrast to the disproportionate burden of the disease on communities of color.

Drawing on her lived experience, extensive training, and professional network, Quisha has made a significant and meaningful impact. Her efforts were recently recognized with the Sanofi Health Equity Award, a prestigious honor that will support the Type 1 Navigator Campaign. This initiative aims to advance equitable access to Type 1 diabetes information, including screening, treatment, and technologies, with a particular focus on adults of color at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Strength to Set Clear Boundaries

Setting boundaries is essential for entrepreneurs to maintain focus, protect their well-being, and achieve sustainable success. Without them, the relentless demands of entrepreneurship can quickly lead to burnout.

Susan Weiner, an award-winning food and nutrition expert, author, international speaker, and owner of Susan Weiner Nutrition, highlights the importance of clear and thoughtful boundaries as a cornerstone for both personal and professional fulfillment.

One of her biggest challenges was learning to say “no” and staying true to her priorities. Overcommitting often led to overwhelm and distraction, so she embraced a focused approach, tackling one task at a time to ensure every project and individual receives her full attention. This strategy helps her maintain balance, prioritize self-care, and consistently deliver high-quality work.

The Insight to Address Unmet Needs

At its core, entrepreneurship is about solving problems in innovative ways, and the most impactful ventures arise when leaders deeply understand the challenges their target audience faces.

Gary Scheiner, owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services, has been living with Type 1 diabetes since 1985. Drawing from his personal experience, he recognized a critical gap in diabetes care: the lack of sufficient time and resources within the traditional healthcare system to address the daily challenges of managing diabetes.

Gary recognized that many individuals with diabetes were willing to invest in better self-management tools and support. He established a private-pay practice, focusing exclusively on intensive insulin therapy and advanced education—a niche that wasn’t being adequately addressed by primary care or endocrinology.

Final Reflections

In its first year, the ADCES Entrepreneurship Community of Interest has emerged as a thriving hub for collaboration. By highlighting the journeys of leaders like Quisha, Susan, and Gary, it showcases how entrepreneurship in diabetes care is not only achievable but also a powerful driver of meaningful change and impact.

Acknowledgements

I want to acknowledge the incredible entrepreneurs who generously dedicated their time and energy to contribute to the collective knowledge of the Entrepreneurship COI.

Quisha Umemba MPH, BSN, RN, CDCES, CHWI — Founder and CEO of Umemba Health, Principle for Quisha Umemba Consulting, Co-Founder of Diversify Dietetics
Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES — Founder and Owner of Hispanic Foodways, creator of Nutriportion Measuring Cups Set
Susan Weiner, MS RDN CDN CDCES FADCES — Speaker, Author, Lifestyle Expert at Susan Weiner Nutrition
Amiad Fredman, MD — Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Aegis Digital Health
Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM — President of Diabetes Education Services
Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN — Author, Educator, Consultant, Owner of Eating Soulfully.
Gary Scheiner MS, CDCES — Owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Service
Ginger Vieira — Author, speaker, diabetes content specialist
Dr. Terry Ann Scott, PhD — CEO and Director of TAT Health Solutions
Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, BCACP, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP — Endocrinology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Alison Massey MS, RD, CDCES — Freelance writer, Owner of Flourish Nutrition