Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ian Anderson, co-founder of PT Revolution, located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA.

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

PT Revolution is a performance physical therapy and training facility in South Lake Tahoe, CA. We cater to mountain athletes in Tahoe who participate in extreme sports. Our rehab team helps patients return from sports injuries and surgeries to get back in action, whether skiing/snowboarding, hiking, paddling, mountain biking/cycling, or even walking the dog. PT Revolution also offers performance training and fitness programs to optimize their performance in the mountains or whatever activity they enjoy!

Tell us about yourself

After earning my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, I started a Sports residency program to specialize in working with athletes and sports injuries. Toward the end of my residency, I was contacted by Stanford University to join the Sports Performance staff. I accepted the job and moved to Palo Alto, where I worked as a coach with Stanford's football program alongside the athletic trainers, dietitians, and physical therapists. Although I loved working in football, I determined that the schedule was not for me.

I pursued an opportunity at a sports/orthopedic clinic in South Lake Tahoe, where I worked with like-minded, motivated therapists: Justin Dorn, Jason Collin, and Angie Hagenah. While furloughed during the pandemic, we felt that Tahoe needed a performance facility where therapists went all-in for their patients and patients didn't have to wait four weeks to see a therapist. So, we decided to "SEND IT," and PT Revolution was born!

My motivation each day is two-fold. Number one, I love to see patients get back in action! For example, earlier this year, I had a patient who suffered a calf strain a few weeks before a ski trip to Japan. After a multi-disciplinary rehab involving physical therapy, training, nutrition, acupuncture, and chiropractic, he was able to ski pow in Japan! Seeing his stoke when he returned from an amazing trip to Japan put a huge smile on my face! The second piece, and equally important, is creating an environment that fosters team member growth and job satisfaction and is a place where they can have fun!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being told by the first physical therapist we hired that she wouldn't want to work anywhere else! She told me how much she appreciates and how meaningful our check-ins and follow-ups with her are to her growth as a professional. She shared that she enjoys working for a company where employees feel supported, and the owners are not only approachable but also sincerely care about the employees. Being voted "Best Healthcare Facility in Tahoe" every year since we opened our doors has been pretty cool too!

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

I'd say the hardest part for me is balancing working IN and working ON the business. As an owner, I wear many hats, including Director of Performance, as well as heading our marketing and social media. It's difficult to find the time to treat patients, document, write programs, coach, develop email newsletters, post on social media, plan community events, spend time with my fiancee and pup, AND play outside on my split board and mountain bike.

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

  1. Find a mentor or mentors, find inspiring individuals you trust both in and out of the field and seek mentorship from them. I have been meeting with mentors regularly, and their advice and insight have been incredibly helpful for my personal and professional growth.
  2. Seek capable legal, financial, and tax advice. Build up your network so you have people in your corner with expertise in these areas!
  3. Don't forget to have fun, laugh, and smile!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ptrevolution.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptrevolution_tahoe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTRev_Tahoe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ptrevolution-tahoe/

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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