Zach Smith’s journey in healthcare and marketing is marked by a unique blend of clinical experience and entrepreneurial success. For seven years, Zach worked as a bedside nurse across a variety of adult and pediatric specialties in the Pacific Northwest. This hands-on experience gave him deep insights into the challenges and needs of healthcare professionals, insights that have fueled his career in marketing and entrepreneurship.

While still working as a nurse, Zach launched a video marketing agency, honing his skills in creating impactful content. During a break on a shift, he took a pivotal call that led him to join the founding team of NurseGrid, an innovative app designed to meet the scheduling needs of nurses. In 2015, Zach and his team spent a year fundraising, designing, and user testing NurseGrid, which quickly became the nation’s leading nurse app, with over 2 million downloads. Zach played a crucial role in leading the brand and marketing efforts, serving as the “nurse filter” for the sales and product teams. His leadership extended to serving as interim president of the company before its successful acquisition in 2020.

Zach’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. He joined the founding team of a nurse footwear startup, where he was instrumental in launching and growing the brand. Zach drove $1 million in pre-sales and created a viral commercial that garnered over 1 million views and won two prestigious Telly Awards. His ability to connect with the nursing community through authentic and resonant marketing has been a hallmark of his success.

Beyond these ventures, Zach has established himself as a leading voice in healthcare on LinkedIn, having written three of the most viral posts about nursing on the platform. In addition, he has dedicated his expertise to consulting for startups, running marketing teams for other healthcare clients, and writing a popular newsletter with an impressive 40% open rate. His ability to craft messages that resonate deeply with healthcare professionals has consistently helped his clients achieve their goals.

Today, Zach leads ReachRN, where he combines his extensive experience in healthcare and marketing to help brands connect meaningfully with clinicians. His journey from bedside nurse to successful entrepreneur and marketer demonstrates the power of understanding your audience—and how sometimes, it truly takes a nurse to reach one.