Starting a Business
Opening an Abortion Information & Referral Service
Opening an abortion information and referral service is something that is usually done within the context of a medical services organization that offers a wide range of services. For medical clinics interested in venturing into this area, we offer a few words of advice.
We share some valuable tips on what it takes to start an abortion information and referral service.
Look Before You Leap
While you may believe that offering abortion referral services is an essential part of your role as a healthcare provider, others do not agree. Before you venture into abortion referrals, understand that you may receive considerable negative press and some of your existing customers may stop doing business with you.
What You Will Be Doing
As an abortion referrals provider, you will provide pregnant women with information about their options. In addition to offering advice, you will likely give your clients a list of abortion providers, information about insurance coverage, and emotional support.
This is not a moneymaker. It's about helping women in need. For your offering to be successful, counseling should be completely free and entirely confidential.
You should also be aware that legal liability can arise when you make an abortion referral. Case law in this area is evolving. Consult with legal counsel before pursuing this in earnest. Moreover, the overall legal environment for abortion is changing. It's imperative that you track all of the rules and regulations and ensure that you are making sound recommendations that comply with all relevant laws.
Tips for Writing an Abortion Information & Referral Service Business Plan
You know that a business plan is important. The only problem is that you don't have any idea how to write one.
But even though you have primary responsibility for drafting a business plan for your abortion information and referral service, you aren't entirely alone. There are plenty of useful solution designed to assist abortion information and referral service entrepreneurs in business plan writing.
For more information, take a look at our Business Plan Help section.
Take a Look at Competitors
Well in advance of opening an abortion information and referral service within your community, it's essential to determine how many competitors you have. We've provided the link below to help you get a list of local competitors nearby. Just enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of abortion information and referral services in your community.
How are you going to successfully complete with existing firms? It's important that you never underestimate the competition.
Find Good Remote Business Advice
If you are seriously contemplating launching an abortion information and referral service, it's a smart move to learn as much as you can from somebody who is already in the business. Local competitors are not going to give you the time of day, mind you. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.
Thankfully, an owner of a an abortion information and referral service in a location that is not competitive to you may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, after they realize you reside far away from them and won't be stealing their local customers. Many business owners are happy to give advice to new entrepreneurs. Our estimate is that you may have to contact many business owners to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.
The key question new becomes: how to find somebody who runs an abortion information and referral service who is willing to advise you because you live in different cities?
Here's how we would do it. Try the useful link below and key in a random city/state or zipcode.
Benefits & Drawbacks of an Abortion Information & Referral Service Acquisition
An acquisition can be a great way to enter abortion information and referral service ownership. But it's important to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of buying a business before you decide on either an acquisition or startup approach.
BENEFITS: Existing companies have proven business models and a history of profitability. They should also have some degree of brand recognition and an established customer base.
DRAWBACKS: On the downside, abortion information and referral service acquisitions can be difficult to adapt to your unique business philosophy so it's important to make sure the business is capable of achieving your ownership goals before you initiate the buying process.
Industry Trade Associations
Check out the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA). They represent family planning administrators and clinicians serving low-income and uninsured individuals. Many abortion information and referral services are active in this association, and you can learn about current industry trends by participating in association events and activities.
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