Meet Anne Sharkey

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anne Sharkey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anne below.

Hi Anne, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic is definitely attributed to both my parents. My parents both grew up on family dairy farms in Wisconsin. There are few people I know who work harder on a daily basis than dairy farmers. I am grateful every day for the work ethic and drive that was instilled in me from a young age.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Dr. Anne Sharkey, a double board-certified podiatrist based in the Austin area and the founder of Solely Podiatry and Solely Nails. After more than a decade practicing within traditional healthcare systems, I set out to create something different — spaces where patients and clients could experience care that is truly personal, transparent, and focused on overall well-being from the ground up.

At Solely Podiatry, I practice direct-care podiatry, meaning I work outside of insurance constraints to provide extended visit times, customized treatment plans, and advanced therapies tailored to each individual. It’s been incredibly rewarding to build a model where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered in their care.

Alongside that, I founded Solely Nails, a physician-owned and operated nail salon specializing in dry, waterless pedicures and services performed by highly trained nail technicians in a safe, elevated environment. We’re redefining what nail care can be — blending beauty with medical-grade safety and education. This year, we’ve been thrilled to expand our hours and service offerings to meet growing demand.

What excites me most is how these two businesses work hand in hand to promote healthier, more confident living. I love seeing people realize that foot and nail health isn’t just about how things look — it’s about how you move through life.

Outside the office, I’m passionate about education and using social media as a platform to share foot health and wellness information with a broader audience. My goal is to continue growing both Solely Podiatry and Solely Nails, while inspiring others to prioritize their health in ways that allow them to thrive — from head to toe.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, vision, and adaptability.

Resilience has been essential. Whether navigating the challenges of medical training, transitioning from traditional practice to opening my own direct-care podiatry office, or launching a physician-owned nail salon, there have been countless moments that required perseverance and belief in the bigger picture. Building something new always comes with obstacles, but pushing through them builds both strength and confidence.

Vision has guided me — having a clear sense of why I wanted to create Solely Podiatry and Solely Nails helped me make decisions that aligned with my values and long-term goals. When you stay rooted in your purpose, the path forward becomes much clearer, even when things get hard.

And adaptability has allowed me to grow and evolve along the way. Healthcare, entrepreneurship, and social media all change rapidly, so staying open to learning and innovation has been key to continuing to thrive.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: take the time to define what matters most to you, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to start before everything feels perfect. Each step forward — even the small or uncertain ones — builds momentum toward something meaningful.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One of the books I continuously return to and often recommend to friends who are in seasons of growth or transition is The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. The central idea — that challenges aren’t roadblocks but opportunities to build strength, clarity, and character — has been deeply influential in both my personal and professional life.

Three of the biggest takeaways that continue to resonate with me are:
1. Perception is everything. The way we choose to view challenges shapes the outcome. When I left traditional medicine to build Solely Podiatry and Solely Nails, there were plenty of hurdles. Shifting my mindset from “this is hard” to “this is an opportunity to create something better” completely changed how I navigated each phase.
2. Action over fear. The book emphasizes that progress often comes from simply taking the next right step — even when the full path isn’t clear. That principle guided me when I was starting my businesses; instead of waiting for the perfect moment, I focused on consistent, purposeful action.
3. Persistence transforms obstacles into power. Holiday writes that enduring setbacks with discipline and resilience ultimately forges success. That reminder has carried me through every challenge — from medical training to entrepreneurship — reinforcing that persistence is a muscle that grows stronger every time it’s tested.

Ultimately, The Obstacle Is the Way taught me that the very things that challenge us most often become the foundation for our greatest achievements.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.solelypodiatry.com. and www.solelynails.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsharkey_dpm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drannesharkey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drannesharkey/

Image Credits

Photograph: Cheyenne Morris Photography