Diana Christiansen's Page

What is your name?

Diana Christiansen

Are you currently heading a woman-owned business?

Yes

If you are in business, what is the name of your business?

The Atticus Group, Inc.

Where did you get your idea for your business or the business you'd like to start?

Working in the industry and seeing the service gaps

Where is (will) your business located? (City and State)

Riverside, CA

If you already have a website, what is the address for your business?

http://www.theatticusgroup.com

How long have you been in business? (Or when do you plan to open?)

3yrs 2months

How many employees do you have, if any?

0

What is your annual revenue?

$50K-$100K

Describe your product or service, or the product you plan to introduce to the market.

Consulting services. I help hospitals address the nursing shortage by creating Nursing Centers of Excellence. Workforce planning, proprietary partnerships with nursing schools, on-site simulation labs and fund development are all part of the Center of Excellence model.

How did you (or plan to) fund your business startup?

Credit cards, personal savings

What was (is) the biggest hurdle in getting your business off the ground?

Getting the first clients. My company is using strategies that are very new to the industry. I have found it difficult to create a new consulting niche.

What would you advise other women interested in starting a similar business?

Understand sales and marketing. Sales ability is as important as providing the actual consulting service.

What has been your biggest mistake?

Overconfidence. After the first two clients, I thought it would be easy to find more. However, the market changed. It took me a full year to regroup, add new services and get the next client. Moving forward, I will ALWAYS actively market and look for new and creative ways to offer service.

What has been your smartest move?

Maintaining good relationships with each client. People move around in the hospital industry. Now, I know people who have gone from running one hospital to running 24. Staying in touch and providing service and information AFTER the job is done is key.

Are you willing to answer questions from other women business owners about your business?

Yes

What is your email address?

dchristiansen@theatticusgroup.com