Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kimberly Kearvell, owner of Active Solution Physiotherapy, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a physiotherapy clinic offering a range of different services to serve our clientele best. Our physiotherapists use the McKenzie approach, which focuses on simple exercises and patient empowerment. With our approach, we try to get you better in as few sessions as possible! Furthermore, while most physiotherapy clinics offer treatments in a large common space to maximize earning potential by having multiple patients at once, we exclusively treat in private rooms to give you our full, undivided attention. In short, what matters to us isn't our bottom line but that you achieve your goals and not break the bank in the process!
At our Monk location, we have a particular interest in female health through our services like Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, Sex Therapy, Doula Services, Pre-natal Workshops, and local affiliates. In general, I believe that women are neglected across our healthcare system, and we try to do our part to advocate for them as best we can!
Tell us about yourself
My interest in physiotherapy first began at the ripe old age of 16 when I blew out my knee, as many soccer players do. That was my first taste of physiotherapy, and I was hooked. I eventually became a physio myself, motivated to help others. During the first few years of my career, I bounced around a few clinics but was always left feeling like a number. I was valued for what revenue I could bring in, and all other factors were secondary.
As someone suffering from anxiety, this did not suit me in the slightest. I dreamed of creating a work environment that puts the business second and the well-being of its staff and patients first. When I came on board with our company in our first location in Verdun, I finally found someone who shared my vision with the owner, Kalem Kachur. His main goal is to spread awareness of the McKenzie approach in physiotherapy and to continue to grow our blossoming chain, all the while maintaining our core values. I quickly hitched my wagon to his and, in him, found an excellent mentor as we opened our second location with our other partner Michael Terzian.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would have to say how we connect and support each other as a team. We try to hire people who are like-minded and who we find would fit well within our "family." I think we've done a pretty good job accomplishing this! Not only do we get along well at work, but also outside of the office. I also like to think that I've done a good job in fostering the type of relationship with my employees that enables them to tell me when I can improve upon something to do better by them or by our patients.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing when to delegate! I am a "doer" who likes to have a certain amount of control in many circumstances. It's been a struggle letting go of that control in certain circumstances to ensure that I am using my time as wisely as I can.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be ready to sacrifice your time. In the early stages, there will be a lot you need to do yourself to save costs and make sure your start-up is viable.
- Despite needing to do a lot initially, learning how and when to delegate is KEY. You cannot do everything yourself forever, and not delegating will hold you back from doing tasks that can help your business continue to grow.
- Find a mentor. Having Kalem has been integral in helping start-up our business. He has been my pillar as I navigate new experiences and bumps in the road.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.physiosa.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhysioSolutionActiveMonk
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.
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