We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Beckford MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
During the pandemic, I recognized that many professional women were eating poorly, missing sleep, not working out, and constantly tired because they were too busy taking care of everyone else. As a busy ER doc working on the frontlines, it was so hard to put me first without feeling guilty. Even though it was hard, I had to do it because I couldn’t pour from my empty cup. I learned that so many women got stuck because they don’t know what to do or have the tools to put themselves first. Now, it is my mission to support other women in learning how to put themselves first without guilt through the Ur Caring Society.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Ur Caring Society helps busy professional women put their health and wellness first for two hours per month without guilt. I am most excited that the women in the Ur Caring Society not only receive coaching from me but they get guidance from top physician experts in the wellness space. The members of the Society get 30-minute weekly recharge sessions to overcome obstacles that might prevent them from achieving their goals during the week. The beauty of Society is not only the physician guest speakers but the members themselves. These women provide accountability for each other and support in ways big and small.

The best thing about my business is being able to help women from all across the globe. In my current role, my impact is limited to the patients in the state where I am licensed to practice medicine. However, through the Ur Caring Society, I can support women wherever they are located and outside of a clinical setting. More importantly, the program is online so women can access resources from the comfort of their homes and offices.

Owning a business is tough. It was even more challenging because I did not have an entrepreneurial background. It was tough because attending medical school did not set me up to be an entrepreneur. Instead, I learned to provide excellent patient care and other critical technical skills. All my classes were geared towards taking care of patients and learning to be an employee. However, I learned the importance of consistent hard work and delayed gratification, which has helped me with my business. I had to learn everything from scratch, and that was hard. It is hard to be an entrepreneur while working full-time, wife and parent. However, it is so worth it!

Challenges are a natural part of the process. I have been fortunate to learn from others in the early stages of launching businesses and from those who have achieved extraordinary success. I always have people I can connect with who can advise me and provide tough feedback when needed. Most importantly, I have surrounded myself with those who want me to win.

I have learned several important lessons. First, it is essential to find great mentors or a coach who can help you in the early years. If possible, join a community of entrepreneurs who are willing to share. Second, I learned it was crucial to be honest with myself. Finally, I could not be too proud to ask for help and recognize that feedback can be a gift.
I want the world to know that it is ok for busy professional women to take care of themselves. I would like to change the stigma that self-care is selfish and that working all the time shows more dedication. I want to make it normal for women to take a break and recharge. Given that so many women are juggling careers, parenting, life, and a pandemic, women must pour into themselves. The Ur Caring Society is here to provide the support and tools these women need to put themselves first for just two hours per month. But, as the adage states, one cannot pour from an empty cup. The Ur Caring Society is here to help these women refill their cups.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to visit the museum district. We would go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts. I would take them to Houston Botanical Gardens and the Houston Zoo. We would visit Discovery Green and City Center. We would also do a day trip to Galveston if the weather is nice. You can’t have a trip to Houston without enjoying some fantastic cuisine. I have a list of places that we would check out. We would get brunch at Lucille’s or Davis Street. We would get dinner at Caracol. We would get cookies from Tiny Boxwoods. Of course, they could not leave without having Jamaican cuisine from Cool Runnings. We would burn off the calories by running on the trails by the Bayou.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I grew up in Jamaica and migrated to the United States as a tween. I am grateful to my parents for instilling the values of hard work and dedication. Both my parents made the difficult decision to leave Jamaica so we would come to the United States for a better life. My dad worked multiple jobs to ensure that I had the best opportunities and I was set up for success. My mom was always the source of strength even during the most challenging times. She reminded me and today still reminds me that nothing beats consistent hard work. More importantly, they believed in me and always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

Website: www.urcaringdocs.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urcaringdocs/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtamarabeckford/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/URcaringdocs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/URcaringdocs/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/urcaringdocs

Other: PODCAST: https://www.urcaringdocs.com/docs-who-care

Image Credits
J Raphael Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.