Inspiring Conversations with Elly Nam of SageWell Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elly Nam.

Hi Elly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Looking back at my journey to founding SageWell Consulting, it’s amazing to see how each chapter of my life has shaped what we do today. It all started during my time as a medical student in Korea, where I first experienced healthcare from both provider and patient perspectives. This experience opened my eyes to how differently healthcare systems can operate across cultures, and it sparked my curiosity about how we could make these systems work better for everyone.

My path then led me through industrial design and an MBA with a marketing concentration – an unusual combination that turned out to be exactly what I needed. While working at places like The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Highmark Health, I saw firsthand how healthcare organizations struggled to connect with their patients in meaningful ways. Working with veterans on mental health programs at OSU particularly touched my heart, leading me to pursue certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Therapeutic Art Life Coaching. I wanted to understand not just the clinical side, but the deeply human aspect of healthcare.

What really drove me to start SageWell was seeing how many healthcare and wellness brands were missing opportunities to create genuine connections with their communities. I believed – and still do – that healthcare communication doesn’t have to be cold and clinical. It can be warm, engaging, and human while still being professional and evidence-based.

Today, I’m fortunate to bring this vision to life through SageWell, helping healthcare organizations tell their stories in ways that truly resonate with people. I also get to share these insights with future designers as an adjunct faculty member at the Maryland Institute College of Art, teaching sustainable digital experience design.

Every day, I’m grateful for this unique path that allows me to blend my medical background, design thinking, and marketing expertise to help healthcare brands make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s not just about creating strategies – it’s about fostering genuine connections that help both organizations and their communities thrive.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any entrepreneurial journey, mine has definitely had its share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was figuring out how to maintain deep, meaningful connections with clients across different time zones and cultures. As our work expanded globally, I had to reimagine how to deliver the personal touch that’s so crucial in healthcare consulting through virtual means. This challenge pushed me to develop innovative collaboration methods that blend digital efficiency with human warmth – finding ways to make every interaction feel personal and purposeful, even when we’re thousands of miles apart.

Another significant challenge was breaking through traditional mindsets in healthcare. Many organizations are understandably risk-averse and hesitant to try new approaches to branding and patient engagement. There’s also a persistent misconception that creativity and business strategy are somehow at odds with each other – as if being creative means being less business-savvy. I’ve had to consistently demonstrate that creative thinking and solid business strategy actually go hand in hand, especially in healthcare where innovative solutions are desperately needed to solve complex problems.

Being a woman entrepreneur in healthcare consulting also presented its own set of challenges. I’ve had to work extra hard to establish credibility, especially when presenting innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. However, my unique background – combining medical training, design expertise, and business strategy – has helped me earn trust and respect in the industry.

Perhaps the most personal challenge has been balancing my roles as a business owner, consultant, and educator while maintaining my commitment to continuous learning. Healthcare is constantly evolving, especially with the rapid advancement of AI and digital health technologies. Staying current while delivering excellence to clients requires careful time management and strategic focus.

These challenges have ultimately made SageWell stronger. They’ve helped me develop a more resilient business model and deeper empathy for our clients who are also navigating complex changes in healthcare. I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles but about using them as opportunities to grow and innovate.

As you know, we’re big fans of SageWell Consulting. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At SageWell Consulting, we specialize in helping healthcare and wellness organizations find their authentic voice in a crowded marketplace. While we work with organizations of various sizes, we have a particular passion for supporting small healthcare businesses and wellness practitioners who are making a meaningful impact in their communities. What makes us unique is our evidence-based approach to brand strategy that combines healthcare expertise, design thinking, and behavioral science.

We’re not your typical branding agency. Our work goes beyond surface-level aesthetics to address the real challenges healthcare providers face in connecting with their patients and clients. Whether we’re collaborating with a solo practitioner launching their private practice, a wellness startup finding its footing, or occasionally partnering with larger healthcare systems, we focus on creating strategies that feel authentic and drive meaningful engagement.

One of our signature approaches is what we call ‘Empathy-First Design’ – a methodology I developed that integrates medical insights, behavioral psychology, and design thinking. This has been particularly impactful for small healthcare businesses, who often struggle to differentiate themselves while maintaining their authentic voice. We’ve helped numerous physical therapy practices, mental health providers, and wellness practitioners develop brand strategies that highlight their unique approach to patient care, leading to stronger community presence and more meaningful patient relationships.

What sets us apart is our deep understanding of both the clinical and human sides of healthcare. Having worked in medical settings and collaborated with healthcare providers, we understand the complex regulatory environment and unique challenges of healthcare communication. This expertise allows us to serve both small practices and larger organizations effectively, translating complex healthcare messages into clear, engaging, and empathetic brand experiences.

I’m particularly proud of our commitment to making high-quality brand strategy accessible to small healthcare businesses. While we have the capability to work with larger healthcare systems, we’ve developed scalable solutions that allow smaller practices to benefit from the same strategic thinking and creative approaches often reserved for bigger organizations.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about expanding our impact through our new digital health brand lab, where we’re exploring how emerging technologies like AI can enhance human connection in healthcare, rather than diminish it. We’re particularly focused on helping small healthcare businesses leverage these tools effectively. At our core, we believe that successful healthcare brands aren’t just about looking good – they’re about creating meaningful connections that improve people’s lives, regardless of the organization’s size.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe success comes from a combination of preparation and opportunity. While I’ve certainly had fortunate moments in my career, I prefer to think of ‘luck’ as being prepared when opportunities present themselves.

My journey has been shaped by an insatiable curiosity to explore seemingly unrelated fields – healthcare, design, psychology, business strategy, marketing, and more. What might appear as random exploration has actually been a process of discovering how different disciplines interconnect in fascinating ways. This cross-pollination of knowledge has given me a unique lens through which to view challenges and opportunities in healthcare branding.

My background in healthcare and design might seem like an unusual combination, but this intersection has turned out to be incredibly valuable in my work. What some might call ‘lucky timing’ – starting a healthcare branding consultancy when many providers were struggling to connect with their audiences – I see as recognizing and acting on an unmet need in the market.

I’m particularly grateful for the extraordinary mentors in my life – especially my former professors who have become lifelong guides and friends. This is where I truly acknowledge the role of good fortune. Their wisdom and guidance have been invaluable gifts that no amount of money could buy. They’ve consistently reminded me that ‘the world is my oyster’ while gently steering me toward seeing bigger possibilities for myself and my impact on others. Their influence has shaped not just my career, but my whole approach to life and purpose. That’s why I now find such joy in teaching graduate students, particularly those who, like me, are curious about exploring and connecting seemingly unrelated fields.

That said, I’ve also faced challenges and setbacks, like many business owners. These moments, which might be considered ‘bad luck’ by some, have often led to valuable lessons and unexpected opportunities. Rather than attributing outcomes to luck alone, I believe in creating your own opportunities through continuous learning and staying true to your evolving understanding of what matters most. In my case, that means remaining committed to helping healthcare providers better connect with their communities, while continuing to explore new ways to bring value to this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sagewell.consulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagewell_consulting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elly-nam/