Inside GrassRoots: How Laura Woodard Finds, Grows, and Keeps the Right People

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Laura Woodard, known as the Medical Marketing Maven, to talk about something all business owners face: how to build a team that really works. Laura shares how her personal journey caring for family members at the end of life inspired her to launch GrassRoots Medical Marketing — a Tampa-based agency helping private medical practices grow through ethical, effective marketing.But the heart of the conversation is about HR — how she hires, trains, supports, and builds a remote culture with intention. From her background in tech and corporate life to her deeply empathetic leadership style, Laura offers a transparent and practical look at how to lead with purpose in a service-based business.🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways🧠 Empathy in ActionLaura’s why is deeply rooted in personal experience, which shapes how she hires and leads her team.Empathy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s in her hiring decisions, onboarding process, and daily leadership style.“I really lead with the fact that I've been through trying desperately to find great doctors to help my mother and my aunt.”👥 HR Practices That Set You ApartLaura uses a situational interview style, asking “Tell me about a time when…” to assess thought process and alignment.Onboarding includes clear expectations, written roles, PTO policies, and 30/60/90-day plans.She runs a small but mighty team of 5, emphasizing quality culture over flashy perks."Most small businesses sort of wing it when they hire… I have everything written down, so there's no questions."🔒 HR in Healthcare = Compliance FirstMarketing for doctors isn’t just creative — it involves serious HIPAA compliance most people overlook.Her team undergoes HIPAA training, and she educates clients about what's legally safe in advertising."You can’t even put tracking info on a doctor’s website... a lot of people aren’t aware of the HIPAA regulations in regards to marketing."🧰 Tools & SystemsLaura constantly evaluates tools to support her team — emphasizing that the right tools change over time.Her approach to tech: “Try, test, and adapt.”"Technology’s not my easy fix, but I keep trying. That’s what it takes — being a lifelong learner."🤝 Building Culture RemotelyEven though the team is mostly remote, they stay connected through frequent Zooms, in-person lunches, and intentional check-ins.They’ve committed to flying a remote team member back regularly to maintain culture.“You learn something about each person every time we have a lunch.”💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ "Marketing is not the top of [doctors'] list, but it needs to be — because in order for the right patient to find the right doctor, they have to be seen online."🗣️ "Hiring isn’t just about a resume. It’s about how someone thinks, solves problems, and aligns with your values."🗣️ "Lifelong learning — that’s what it really takes to be a business owner."🗣️ "It’s not about perks. It’s about shared values, clear expectations, and caring about your people."🎤 What It Really Takes to Be a Business Owner (Signature Question)Laura's answer to the show’s signature closing question:"What it really takes is to keep trying new things, stay flexible with technology, and be a lifelong learner. Even when tools don’t work out, it’s about staying curious and adapting to what fits your team best."📌 Producer Notes / Promo HighlightsSuggested Clip Highlights:[00:01:00] – Laura’s first hire and using Seth Godin’s philosophy[00:04:50] – HIPAA + HR compliance in marketing[00:07:00] – How her family’s medical journey sparked the business[00:12:00] – Clear onboarding + culture-building in a remote team[00:16:30] – Her HR process + 30/60/90 day plan[00:18:00] – Final reflections on lifelong learning + leadershipBest Quote for Audiogram:"Building a team isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about creating a space where people are aligned, valued, and supported." – Jamie