Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amadea Kezar, owner of ASK Physiothèrapie, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
ASK Physiothérapie is a Montreal-based pelvic health physiotherapy clinic. We treat pelvic floor issues related to urinary, bowel, and sexual function, as well as pelvic and genital pain. Our work is intimate, but our approach is down to earth. Most people suffer in silence about topics such as urine leakage, pain with sex, and erectile difficulties because they don't know there's help or they're embarrassed to talk about it, and we are determined to change that.
Taboo issues are our expertise, and our mission is to be a safe space where you can ASK anything and everything to do with pelvic health and get the treatment you need. We believe in targeted, efficient, and compassionate care. Men, women, and transgender people are welcomed. Our mantra is there's always pelvic hope!
Tell us about yourself
I've never been one to shy away from a challenge, but I honestly never saw myself as a business owner. I thought I would work as a physio and have a simple life. No such luck. Out of school, I worked at a clinic that was paid for by each patient. News to me, I had to find my own patients until my first day when I had no patients...I started to grind out of necessity. My first patient was a friend's mom. I spent 2 hours or more writing the perfect patient evaluation letter for her gynecologist to be sure they knew that I knew what I was doing and to stand out and sent it with a note saying that if his colleagues needed a contact, please pass my name along.
From there, I started cold calling medical clinics asking for 10-minute interviews with their doctors. I wanted them to see me in person, hear me, and for my practice to be tangible to them, and it worked. I developed a workshop that I gave for women at a local prenatal store, I had pamphlets and new cards made and started making a list of all the medical clinics and sending packages. I even stalked a doctor outside the YMCA once as though I happened to bump into him. I had no shame and also limited sleep. Every new referral I received with my name was like a trophy, and it lit a fire under me to keep going.
Eventually, I was invited to speak for medical departments through my networking, and the cold calling was no longer necessary. The grind worked. Once my schedule was full, it was time to move on and do it for myself in my own space, and it was the absolute right decision. My practice has evolved greatly over the years, but I can't imagine doing anything else. It's a passion. It was meant to be, and I love it.
I am honored that people allow me into their most personal issues and trust me with their bodies in such an intimate way. I see miracles daily - people who have never been able to have sex finally connect with their partners and have it be pleasurable, cancer patients who just want to hold their bowel through a movie finally catch a matinee, people in postpartum who believe they have to give up the activity they love most run a half marathon. To have seen enough success stories that I can be an honest cheerleader for every patient who comes through my door. That's a blessing, and it gets me up every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a team that's passionate about pelvic health and showing up for their patients. From the front desk staff to each physiotherapist on the team. To see everyone come together for training and team building and feel cohesion and camaraderie. That's the best.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Building a team. As a solopreneur, you do it all. HR is hard. Finding people who believe in your values and mission and love the work as you do. Ensuring everyone's individual career goals and interests are being met and making time for fun also becomes a juggling act. Regardless of how you're feeling, you have to leave it at the door because your energy can make or break the day and influence the team around you, and you're the model for what you want to see in your business, so you're on. Customer service is not just for your clients; your team deserves the same level of service. It's a learning curve when you move from working alone.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Find the people in your circle who are your cheerleaders, and you know they want your best. You'll need their encouragement as you grow. Find a mentor, someone who can help you avoid unnecessary wrong turns. You'll feel more confident and will progress faster. You must love what you do because it's a lot of work, late nights, and weekends - the joy of the work allows you to do the extra that the competition might not do and pick yourself up if something goes sideways.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
There is no greater freedom and reward than building something for yourself and making it special. If you are able to impact people positively along the way, then you've already won. Go do it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://askphysiomontreal.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askphysiotherapie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ask_physio/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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