Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bisa Dobson, founder of Bisa Dobson Massage Therapy, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At Bisa Dobson Massage Therapy, we help our patients improve their health and quality of life by providing them with the care, tools, and resources they need to live life at their best. Our services include Therapeutic Swedish Massage for people from all walks of life, as well as Lymphatic Massage (aka Manual Lymph Drainage) to treat swelling (i.e., inflammation), and education on Lymphedema self-management.
The three main populations we tend to serve are: Lymphedema and Oncology patients, individuals recovering from surgeries or sports related injuries, and desk jockeys (aka office workers) who often come in with jaw, neck, shoulder and back pain.
Tell us about yourself
Though I always knew I wanted to be independent, it took being let go from a “secure” position as the in-house massage therapist for an organization (due to the changing needs of the business) that gave me the impetus to finally go it on my own. After receiving the news that the busy practice I’d built up over six years would be gone overnight due to someone else’s decision, I decided that being my own boss was the only way to go because I wanted to control my own destiny.
So, with a shoestring budget and a whole lot of fire in my belly, I quickly found a space to rent part-time in the downtown core and started to rebuild a practice from scratch. Fast forward six years and my business is steady and growing. Plus, I absolutely love being my own boss and having the chance to do work I really enjoy every single day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Facing down all the fear and doubts I had before in the early days of starting my business. So many well-meaning people tried to talk me out of it because they were almost as scared for me as I was, but I did it anyway. I’m super proud of that and the fact that Bisa Dobson Massage Therapy is still here and thriving years later.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to wear so many hats - at least until you’re able to pay other folks to do key things for you. When you first start a business, you have to be a CEO, customer service rep, marketing strategist, accountant, and more. It’s a lot to juggle, and as a result, you’re always aware that something you need to do is not getting done or not getting done as well as it should be.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start today, it will never be a perfect time, and the time is going to pass anyway.
- Do something you love because being passionate about what you do will make it much easier to get through challenging times.
- Fail forward. Don’t let your mistakes derail you or slow you down. Know that you’re going to make mistakes along the way, and learn what you need to from them to be or do better the next time.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bisadobson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BisaDobsonRMT/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bisadobsonrmt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bisadobson/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.