When Brittany Delaney and Chrissy Akins founded Inicio Wellness, they weren’t trying to disrupt healthcare—they were trying to humanize it.
Both nurse practitioners had long, successful careers managing corporate clinics in Texas. Yet, the more they grew those clinics, the more they realized something was missing.
“Corporations shouldn’t run medicine,” Delaney says. “We wanted to bring care back to the center of healthcare.”
That conviction launched Inicio Wellness—named from the Latin word for “a new beginning.” It’s a phrase that perfectly encapsulates both their personal leap into entrepreneurship and their mission to create a new kind of care: one built on empathy, accessibility, and authenticity.
From Telehealth to Trust
Inicio Wellness began modestly, as a telehealth pilot. Within months, patient demand transformed that experiment into a thriving hybrid clinic offering both virtual and in-person care.
Their approach is rooted in functional and holistic medicine, focusing on identifying the underlying causes of illness instead of masking symptoms. It’s a model that’s attracting patients hungry for more personalized, preventative healthcare.
“We treat people, not problems,” Akins explains. “Our patients aren’t case files—they’re individuals.”
From Caregivers to CEOs
Transitioning from nurses to business owners was a steep climb. Neither had a business degree. “We knew how to care for patients, not how to build an LLC,” Delaney laughs.
They spent nights researching legal requirements, navigating Texas regulations, and piecing together a sustainable model. Marketing was equally challenging until they joined the local Chamber of Commerce—a move that proved transformative.
“It gave us visibility, resources, and most importantly, confidence,” says Akins. “It made us believe we belonged in the business world.”
Word of mouth soon became their most powerful marketing tool. “When you truly listen,” Delaney says, “patients talk.”
The Mentorship Factor
One of their biggest breakthroughs came unexpectedly—when they hired Dr. Amir Baluch as their supervising physician. A seasoned entrepreneur, Baluch became more than a compliance requirement; he became a mentor.
“He encouraged us to think bigger,” Akins notes. “He’s helped us see entrepreneurship as an extension of care.”
Beyond Burnout
As caregivers-turned-founders, burnout looms large. “You can’t clock out of compassion,” says Delaney. But by outsourcing administrative work, hiring virtual assistants, and optimizing systems, they’ve found a rhythm that sustains both growth and well-being.
“We’re constantly learning to work smarter, not harder,” Akins adds. “That’s been a game-changer.”
Scaling With Purpose
Today, Inicio Wellness is expanding to Utah, with plans to reach surrounding states through telehealth. They’re also collaborating with InsideTracker and genotyping providers to offer data-driven, personalized care.
Their long-term vision extends beyond growth—it’s about legacy.
“We want to redefine what quality care means,” Delaney says. “And show that compassion can scale.”
Connect with Inicio Wellness:
🌐 inicio-wellness.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
