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Podcast Episode

How to Start an HRT Clinic Debt Free: Savings First, Staff Later

The HRT University® Podcast··25 August 2026·1h 2m

About this episode

Nico Misleh sits down again with his wife, Cherrell, who runs the money and operations side of Apollo Health Optimization and HRT University, to talk about what it actually takes to build a business together without going into debt. They dive into how they opened their first clinic with savings instead of loans, why they waited to hire their first administrator until the revenue could cover her salary, and how they set a runway before Nico left his 1099 job. Cherrell shares her perspective on running the books, why she needed the five o'clock rule more than Nico did, and how they protect family time when the business starts asking for more. They also discuss why Nico believes a business acts like a member of your family whether you plan for it or not, why a spouse needs an honest picture of how the practice is doing, and what success looks like once the money question is settled. Whether you're getting ready to open your own clinic, already running one, or just curious how we divide it all up at home, this episode is an honest look at what has worked for us and what we've had to figure out along the way. If you have questions for Cherrell, come find us in the Facebook group! The HRT University® Master Course is jointly accredited through Pinnacle Conference, LLC (ACCME, ACPE, ANCC). Earn 30 CE hours, including 12 hours of pharmacology. Master Course: https://hrtuniversity.com/hrtcourse/More episodes: https://hrtuniversity.com/hrtu-podcast/The Second Opinion Newsletter: https://nicomislehnp.kit.com/8050eeea5fProvider community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1179376819949373/