Strong Bodies, Strong Minds, Strong Hearts

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Wheadon, Owner and Director of KidSHINE LLC., located in Rowley, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I own a pediatric outpatient private practice for occupational therapy (KidSHINE LLC). We have 3 locations in MA, north of Boston. We work with children of all ages with varied diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down Syndrome, and more. We use a unique framework where we focus on using fitness and high-intensity exercise to help children build strength, motor skills, self-regulation skills, and social participation skills. I also created, implemented, researched, and refined a group program (EXERSHINEkids POWER Bootcamp Program) that uses HIIT-style workouts and fast-paced exercises to help kiddos improve skills and confidence. We use the EXERSHINEkids Program at KidSHINE, and I also train and certify other OTs to use the EXERSHINEkids boot camp program at their own clinics.

Tell us about yourself

I have been a pediatric occupational therapist for 22 years. I opened KidSHINE 7 years ago in my finished basement. I have always had a passion for working with children, and exercise has played a significant role in helping me to remain calm and focused in my life. My goal is to help children of all ages to embrace exercise as a lifelong tool that can promote physical health, mental health, self-regulation, social participation, and general success in their daily lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My practice grew from me treating one child/per week and teaching one boot camp class per week to me having a staff of 25, where we work with over 300 children/per week and teach 15-20 classes per week. In addition, we were able to pivot and persevere during COVID, and we were supportive of families everywhere during that time. I also returned to school to obtain my post-professional doctorate in 2020 after conducting a clinical trial on the EXERSHINEkids boot camp program. However, my biggest accomplishment is knowing that we have been able to successfully support and help SO many children and families over the years by providing a safe, inviting, and positive community for children's growth and development.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

For me, the hardest part of being a business owner was accepting the shift in mindset from being a treating therapist to being a true businesswoman. I had to teach myself to look at metrics, run my business using data vs. feelings, and make hard decisions that were in the best interest of the business. I also learned that managing people (employees) could be very rewarding, but it is also REALLY hard and is a completely different skill set that takes time to adjust to.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Acknowledge that you can't be an expert in "everything" - lean on and hire people to help with the parts of your business that are necessary, but that may not be your forte.
Accept that running a business will have ups and downs, and staying the course will be worth it in the long run.
Never forget the passion and love that inspired you to start the business in the first place.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kidshine-ot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidshine.ot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidshine.ot/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kid-shine/

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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