Tina Baxter, Founder of Nurse Shark Academy
Name: Tina Baxter
Founder: Nurse Shark Academy
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I help nurses and healthcare professionals reduce burnout and rediscover their passion by teaching them how to launch and grow successful businesses through The Nurse Shark Academy.
What does being a FoundHer mean to you?
Being a FoundHer means creating something that didn’t exist before, claiming your voice, and making space for other women to rise alongside you. It’s about building boldly while staying rooted in service, resilience, and community.
What's your story?
I am a nurse practitioner and entrepreneur who saw too many talented nurses burning out and walking away from the profession they loved. I first built Baxter Professional Services, helping attorneys untangle complex medical records, and then created The Nurse Shark Academy to empower nurses to build businesses of their own. Nurses are natural leaders, yet often pushed to the sidelines—I wanted to change that. My mission is to help them dream bigger, reclaim their passion for nursing, and use entrepreneurship as a path to joy, fulfillment, and financial independence.
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
I look up to Rebecca Love, RN, MSN. She’s a nurse entrepreneur who has created platforms for nurses to be recognized as innovators, and her work reminds me that nurses belong at the forefront of change, not in the background.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
Formed my LLC and made it official.
Opened separate business banking and cleaned up my financials.
Identified my niche and packaged my services clearly.
Started showing up weekly with educational content on Facebook Lives.
Built credibility by joining associations and getting booked for speaking engagements.
What are 5-7 of your favorite female founded products, services or brands?
Spanx (Sara Blakely) – confidence and innovation.
Bumble (Whitney Wolfe Herd) – women making the first move.
The Honey Pot (Beatrice Dixon) – wellness led by authenticity.
Rent the Runway (Jennifer Hyman & Jennifer Fleiss) – reinventing access to fashion.
Glossier (Emily Weiss) – beauty built on listening to community.
CurlMix (Kim & Tim Lewis) – inspiring entrepreneurship and representation.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Validate fast — talk to 10 ideal clients and sell something small before you build big.
Get your systems right early — one CRM, one invoicing tool, one weekly content rhythm.
Find your tribe — join communities and masterminds that will cheer you on and share wisdom.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher – for practical marketing and online business strategy.
Being Boss by Emily Thompson – for creative entrepreneurship and mindset.
AACN Leadership Podcast – for leadership skills that translate from healthcare into running a business.
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber — it taught me that systems are the key to building a business that grows without consuming you.
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