Build a practice

I am Dr Stephanie Gouws. A GP in Montana, Pretoria.

I have been in medicine for 22 years. I have ventured away from the corporate world of medicine to open my own practice and be my own boss.

I don't come from money; I used every penny of my money in past 20 years looking after my family. My brothers, both alcoholics, my mother with one lung and my father. Also, my brother's 2 children since his passing. Thus, every cent I made in the past 10 years was used to keep family members afloat. I worked from paycheck to paycheck. All of these members have now passed away in the last 5 years one at a time. I have a tattoo of their names on my arm, adding one every time one passes.

The last 2 years I have been studying my master's degree in geriatric care, and I am at the end. Now I took the step towards my dream.

I want to open a medical practice that looks after the elderly, their families and anyone that still needs help. The first steps have been taken. I am in a temporary office; I have procured a loan for a house that is well situated and with enough space for...