Emily Nardone’s journey from pharmaceutical communications executive to healthcare entrepreneur offers a compelling roadmap for bold transitions. After spending nearly a decade helping major pharmaceutical companies shape their brands, Emily chose to step away from her career to focus on raising her daughter. However, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked an unexpected pivot that would transform both her professional trajectory and her approach to healthcare delivery.
Today, Emily and her husband are the driving force behind five QC Kinetix locations across Connecticut and Rhode Island, with more in development. As the largest provider of regenerative medicine, their clinics offer innovative treatments using patients’ own biological materials to promote healing without surgery or prescription medications. It’s a remarkable shift from Emily’s big pharma background to a more personalized, natural approach to healthcare—one that aligns with her values as both a healthcare professional and a mother.
We had the opportunity to connect with Emily, and she shared with us her insights on navigating major career transitions, the delicate balance of entrepreneurship and motherhood, and the unique dynamics of building a successful business partnership with her spouse. Her story speaks to professional women everywhere who are contemplating similar leaps, offering practical wisdom on reimagining success on their own terms while maintaining meaningful family connections.
Check out our full interview with Emily below.
Emily Nardone of QC Kinetix
After spending nearly a decade in pharmaceutical communications and marketing, followed by time as a stay-at-home mom, what was the most challenging aspect of transitioning to entrepreneurship in regenerative medicine?
Emily Nardone: Trying to take the best aspects of the structure you see in a corporate environment and apply them to what feels like a start-up, but doing so in a way that doesn’t hamper the flexibility of a small team working together in a busy, clinical environment. Being a business owner, I have to wear multiple hats, from marketing to operations.
But I think being a stay-at-home parent honed my multi-tasking skills, which are now on overdrive as a working, entrepreneurial mom. I try to balance being in touch with what’s working and what’s not working with our team, as well as what kind of experience our patients are having with the ins and outs of operational details. In that, I see a lot of parallels with my role at home and in our business.
How did your experience in big pharma shape your perspective on healthcare, and how has that view evolved since becoming a QC Kinetix franchisee?
Emily Nardone: Regenerative medicine is about harnessing your body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate tissue. I’ve seen how much money the industry has to spend to generate enough data to convince payers to reimburse for treatment and providers to include in medical guidelines.
That same amount of investment isn’t going to be made by industry for something that your body produces naturally, but that doesn’t mean that regenerative medicine isn’t incredibly effective and shouldn’t be the first-line treatment for many orthopedic issues. I see every day how many people get their quality of life back because of these treatments and how many people are able to avoid the risks of surgery and a long recovery.
What specific moment during the pandemic crystallized your decision to pursue entrepreneurship rather than return to your previous career path?
Emily Nardone: I could say the healthcare crisis during COVID convinced me to help develop this very personalized, holistic approach to the practice of medicine — one that our providers are thrilled they get to practice.
But the truth is, once we started thinking about buying a business, QC Kinetix was simply more fascinating and promising than any of the other business opportunities that we had considered. My husband was looking to pivot from his career in investment management, and I had been looking to go back to work because our kids were school-aged.
COVID gave us an abundance of family time and we didn’t want to completely give that up. We thought that owning a business together would allow us a work-life balance that we might not have if we were both commuting into a demanding corporate job. Sometimes we have that balance, and sometimes we don’t!
Many women struggle with re-entering the workforce after taking time away for family. What advice would you give to mothers looking to make a similar transition after an extended time at home? I had done a lot of volunteering and had taken on some leadership positions in our community, which helped keep my skills and confidence up.
Networking is key; I have a number of friends in my area who run or own businesses, and I rely on them for advice. We cheer each other on at every step.
Running a business with your spouse presents unique challenges. What boundaries or systems have you and your husband established to maintain both a healthy marriage and a successful business partnership?
Emily Nardone: We really enjoy brainstorming and coming up with solutions to our work challenges together. He is very left-brained and I am very right-brained, so his strengths pick up right where mine leave off, and vice versa.
We have to have boundaries; otherwise, work will bleed into every moment of the day. We try to avoid discussing work during family time, and I have to stop him from unloading everything he’s turning over in his mind right before bed; otherwise, it becomes something I start ruminating about and can’t sleep!
In just two years, you’ve opened five QC Kinetix locations, with more in development. How have you scaled so quickly while ensuring quality patient care?
Emily Nardone: Our team members usually work at multiple locations, so the high standard of care we strive for will be found at any of our locations. We prioritize hiring compassionate staff who align with our values and ensure they receive comprehensive training. Regular feedback from patients helps us maintain high standards and adapt as needed. Quality care is our foundation, so we refuse to compromise on it as we expand.
As someone who’s worked in both traditional pharmaceutical marketing and now regenerative medicine, how do you see these different approaches to healthcare complementing or conflicting with each other?
Emily Nardone: Both fields aim to improve patient outcomes, but they do so in different ways. Traditional pharma often focuses on treating symptoms, while regenerative medicine tries to address the underlying problem.
As more data is gathered on the efficacy of treatments, regenerative medicine can look to the example provided by pharma. Regenerative medicine businesses need to evolve to play the role of Pharma in advocating for patients and access to regenerative treatments.
What skills from your communications career have proven most valuable in your current role as a healthcare business owner?
Emily Nardone: Strong communication skills have been invaluable. Whether it’s crafting clear messaging for patients, effectively marketing our services, or managing our team, the ability to convey ideas and listen actively has been crucial. My strategic planning and relationship building background has also helped me navigate the complexities of running a business.
Many entrepreneurs speak of work-life integration rather than work-life balance. As a mother of two running multiple business locations with your husband, how do you approach this dynamic?
Emily Nardone: I view work-life integration as a fluid dynamic rather than a strict balance. I try to blend both worlds by involving my children in aspects of the business when appropriate, teaching them about entrepreneurship. I also set specific times for work and family, but remain flexible to adapt to both. In year three, I have reclaimed my right to self-care! Instead of seeing it as a reward, I now see it as essential for maintaining my energy and focus.
How has your definition of success changed throughout your journey from pharmaceutical professional to mother to healthcare entrepreneur?
Emily Nardone: Initially, success for me was defined by outside recognition for professional achievements and advancement. Now, I notice much smaller milestones — something that had been novel and challenging to me becomes easier, more familiar.
Now, it encompasses personal development, the impact I have on others, the ability to create a positive work culture, and building a team that is transforming people’s lives for the better.
Looking back at your journey, what has been the most profound personal lesson you’ve learned about yourself that you didn’t expect?
Emily Nardone: I’ve learned that I am much more resilient than I ever thought possible. The challenges of starting a business during a pandemic and balancing family responsibilities have tested my limits, but also revealed my strength and adaptability. I’ve come to recognize the power of perseverance and the importance of self-compassion.
How do you hope your career path and choices will influence how your children view work, purpose, and professional fulfillment in their own lives?
Emily Nardone: I hope to instill in my children the idea that work can be fulfilling and purposeful. I want them to see the value of pursuing their passions and positively impacting their communities. I also want them to understand that taking risks and embracing failure is okay as a stepping stone to success.
Is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Emily Nardone: “Embrace the journey, not just the destination.”
It reminds me to appreciate each step of my entrepreneurial path and the lessons learned along the way, both in business and in life.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
