Niching Case Study: Fiona Hughes

Trained in western+anthroposophic medicine, I guide you through the medical system+the experience of illness. . . to health.

#sytycn2014

Tad’s Rating:

6/10

Contest Rating:

6/10

Average Rating:

6/10

Tad’s Comments:

I give this a 6. What’s clear is that you have a basis in western and anthroposophic medicine. That’s clear. And interesting! An unusual combination. The issue you address is a little more vague but could be cleared up quickly I bet. So, you guide people through the medical system – why would they need that? What fears of problems do they have that might make necessary a guide? And are there particular illnesses you most like to focus on?

I’d love to have those things clarified. Right now, your ideal client would be someone with an illness who’s into the anthroposophic approach to healing but who also value the western allopathic approach. That’s my sense. Something else that would boost this is a sense of the geographic reach you’re working with. Are you working globally? Just within your city? Country? Sometimes just naming that can help clarify a lot.

Niching Contest Participant Comments:

7/10: From what you say I hear that you help people navigate the western medical model using a blend of Western and Anthroposophical medicine practices. I love that. I want that, and I know that if you are anywhere near a Steiner community, you are going to be sought after. From a niching point of view though, and minus the anthroposophical specialization, I’m curious about what sort of people you like to work with best? Peds? Adolescent? Adult? Women? Geriatric? And what kind of illnesses?

I wonder if different wording would help – using my training in both western and anthroposophic medicine I guide. . . through the public health system integrating – homeopathic? energetic? lifestyle? with the pharmaceuticals to achieve health holistically. . . or something? Oh, and include your website! Or move to Vancouver Island. . . we could use you here.

4/10: I’d rate this a 4. I’d have to look up “anthroposophic” though I’ve read about it before, but it’s been a while and I forget! Also, how and why do you guide people through the medical system? Does that mean you’ll be a patient advocate, or advisor on the various “other” treatments available, or will you attend appointments with patients, etc? Which patients/people need this most? What is your personal experience (or people close to you) that makes this important to you?

7/10: So are you a medical doctor who also does anthroposophic medicine? If so, are you restricted to in-person visits, or can you do remote visits? How do you guide someone? Are you an advocate? An advisor? An educator? Do you help with any number of problems? Or just a certain subset of problems? Do you help me figure out what my insurance will cover?

7/10: Target?

7/10: I know what anthroposophic medicine is so you are speaking to me the last bit about the experience of. . . doesn’t really do anything for me. I love the guiding part! Maybe you guide me back to health?

7/10: I like the concept, but I think you may have a similar issue marketing what you do as I have with combining Ayurveda and modern Fitness. I’m curious about your services, but I can see others being turned off.

Guiding through the medical system. . . in the Netherlands that can mean tackling the bureaucracy. I’d like to leave the experience of illness behind me as fast as possible. . . but would I want to be guided through it? May I suggest you mention health earlier. . . I guide you to health. . . (the WHAT) and then the HOW. Having said that, I love the combination of western and anthroposofic medicine and am sure you offer a wonderful support!

2/10: Sorry, but I find this rather confusing. From what I understand you help everybody from illness to health? But everybody who is ill is of course too general and also the type of sickness is not specified: 2 points.

6.5/10: I love the idea here and picture the journey broadly. Would give it a 6.5 – not higher because I am looking for more specificity. Which people are “you” referring to? There are so many kinds of people who are going through the medical system. I’d want to know if I am really one of them or its best for my friend so and so to work with you. . .

Fiona Hughes‘s Reflections:

n/a

The Revised Niche:

n/a