From Physician to Entrepreneur: Dr. Lisa Piercey shared her path to entrepreneurship

On February 4, students and professors braved icy roads and sidewalks to hear Lisa Piercey share a her career story—how a pediatrician became an entrepreneur.

A native of Trenton, Tennessee, Dr. Piercey began her career in medicine, serving patients as a practicing pediatrician. While she loved her work, she felt drawn to expand both her knowledge and her impact. That desire for more led her to pursue an MBA, a decision that opened doors she never anticipated. One opportunity led to another, eventually placing her in leadership roles overseeing multiple rural Tennessee hospitals and later serving as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Health during the tumultuous COVID years.

Inspired by a family legacy of business ownership and encouraged by trusted mentors along the way, Dr. Piercey took a bold step into the world of entrepreneurship. Rather than starting a business from scratch, she immersed herself in research and learned a different pathway—entrepreneurship through acquisition. This approach allowed her to lead and grow existing businesses, combining her leadership experience with a new entrepreneurial vision.

Her journey and insights are captured in her new book, Natural-Born Entrepreneurs, which equips aspiring leaders with practical tools and guidance for pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisition.

Following Dr. Piercey’s talk, attendees engaged in a thoughtful Q&A session, asking questions that ranged from how to find businesses for sale to how to balance professional ambition with family life. The conversation offered both practical advice and encouragement, leaving students and faculty alike with a powerful reminder: entrepreneurship doesn’t always follow a straight line.