#261 How to Build a Business While Working Full-Time ft. Peter Kim, MD

Realizing It’s Possible

Peter Kim opens the episode with a question that immediately resonates: Do you ever feel too busy to even think about starting a side hustle or business while working full-time? He quickly reassures listeners that this is a common feeling — and it’s also completely possible to overcome it. In fact, he says, “If I can do it, you can do it,” making it clear that no special talents are required. He shares that he’s personally seen hundreds of physicians successfully launch side businesses without walking away from medicine.

This episode, he promises, will break down exactly how to make that happen. Peter will cover the mindset shifts needed, practical time strategies, real examples of business ideas that have worked, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right community. Setting an encouraging tone, he tells listeners to “stay tuned” because this conversation might just spark new ideas and momentum they’ve been searching for. Right away, you can feel that his goal is to make the idea of entrepreneurship feel achievable — not overwhelming.

Peter’s confidence comes from real-world experience. Throughout his introduction, there’s an open invitation: if you’re willing to question your assumptions and look for opportunities, success could absolutely be within your reach too.

Mindset Shift and Finding Time

Diving into his personal story, Peter talks about his life as an OB anesthesiologist — a field he loved but one that kept him trapped working long nights and weekends. He shares how the constant feeling of being “stuck in the hamster wheel” made him realize he craved more control over his time. That yearning led him to entrepreneurship, not to leave medicine, but to build financial, geographic, creative, and time freedom.

A key obstacle Peter identifies — one that so many physicians believe — is the idea that “I don’t have time.” He challenges this directly, encouraging listeners to audit their schedules and notice all the “dead time” they’re already experiencing. “Guess where it was for me? It was in between patients,” he reveals. Instead of mindlessly scrolling or watching Netflix, he decided to “double-dip” — listening to podcasts, brainstorming, and writing ideas during work lulls or commutes. This small shift made a huge difference without sacrificing family time or rest.

Peter’s point is simple but powerful: the time is there, hidden between the cracks of our busy days. We just have to be intentional about finding and using it wisely.

The Power of AI and Community

Building on the idea of maximizing your time, Peter introduces a major tool that can accelerate progress even faster: AI. He describes AI as an “incredible tool, this other brain” that can help brainstorm, iterate on business ideas, and solve problems in a fraction of the time it used to take. What once took days, weeks, or even months, can now happen in minutes if you use AI strategically.

But tools alone aren’t enough. Peter stresses that one of the biggest game-changers is finding a community of like-minded individuals. “As humans, we’re not meant to walk this world alone,” he says passionately. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling a business, surrounding yourself with people who share your goals and mindset can provide clarity, accountability, and new opportunities. Communities offer fresh energy — the kind that can turn a simple idea into something truly life-changing.

Peter reminds listeners that refreshing your community doesn’t mean abandoning old friendships — it just means intentionally building networks that match your current goals and dreams.

Business Ideas for Physicians

One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring entrepreneurs is simply not knowing what business to start. Peter simplifies it beautifully: ask yourself, “What problem would I like to solve?” From that lens, he’s seen physicians create everything from better EHR tools to scheduling systems, educational products, YouTube channels, and even health tech companies. He emphasizes that real estate investing — something many overlook as a “business” — is absolutely a business, and one that many doctors build quietly on the side.

Peter shares that many of these ventures are born by “finding the cracks in their day” and taking small, consistent actions. These aren’t overnight successes — they come from curiosity, creativity, and persistence. He points out that anyone attending their events, like the Leverage and Growth Summit or PIMDCON, would see firsthand just how many physicians have successfully done this.

His message is clear: business ideas are everywhere if you’re willing to ask the right questions and stay open-minded to what’s possible.

Take Action and Find Your Community: Grab Our FREE PDF Toolkit

Closing out the episode with a motivating push, Peter urges listeners to take action. You don’t need to quit medicine to become an entrepreneur — you simply need to start. He encourages listeners to share their ideas with someone because “when you share it with someone else, you’re held accountable,” making it much more likely you’ll follow through. Small steps create momentum, and momentum changes everything.

He also shared our downloadable resource: The Doctor’s Free Time Audit & Side Hustle Planning Toolkit—a simple, practical guide to reclaiming your time and carving out space for your side hustle without burnout.

Peter also reminds listeners that they don’t have to walk this path alone. Communities already exist that can help you launch, build, and grow your business or investments. “Keep taking steps towards your ideal life,” he encourages, offering both practical advice and emotional support. He points to his own communities and events like PIMDCON as places to find that encouragement and collaboration.

He ends with a sincere reminder: your ideal life is closer than you think — but it starts with that first move forward.