Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dana Ranahan, owner of Body Works Sports Physiotherapy, located in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

My business is helping people! We want to help people understand their bodies and injuries. For example, we can analyze how and why they got injured and what they can do about it. Empowering people with knowledge is so important for dealing with an injury or pain. Learning why it is happening really helps people to know how to manage their body and get back to doing the things they love without pain. Most people are so happy to feel better, move better, and get back to activity! Our customers are a range of people from high-level athletes to aging athletes and the average person who might be injured in an activity such as gardening. All patients have needs and goals, and you are the most important person! We personalize your care to ensure you get what you need to feel better.

Tell us about yourself

I am an active and caring person. I have always wanted to help people and work in health care. I started my career working in physiotherapy positions in the hospital and moved to private clinic physiotherapy work, working with all forms of injury, and treated many high-level athletes. I was fortunate to travel with National sports teams and worked at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Being at rink side at the short track speed skating venue during the 2010 Olympics was such a treat, and to work with those athletes was very special. I also teach and mentor younger physiotherapists in advanced manual therapy, comprehensive assessment and treatment, and mentor for sports injury management. All of these positive experiences led me to create my own clinic, empowered with my vision and the ultimate goal of providing high-level personalized physiotherapy care to all sorts of people out there experiencing pain and injury. I love what I do, and after almost 30 years working as a Sports Physiotherapist, I still look forward to going to work and helping people every day. It is truly a joy. Managing the business has been many hours of hard work, almost a second full-time job on top of treating patients, but in the end, it is worth it if we can help people feel better and empower them to take an active role in their recovery and future health.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping people feel better! Being able to grow the business and bring a team of physiotherapists together to meet the community's needs. We strive to build a community network of healthcare providers to lead to better healthcare for all, hopefully.

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

There are many additional hours of work to make the clinic run smoothly that are behind the scenes and often unnoticed. Juggling the needs of all involved can be a challenge, and building the right team environment takes time and much effort, but it is so worth it in the end. Sometimes, as an owner, it is hard to balance and separate work and life needs since the business and managing all related details tends to become such a big part of your life.

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

  1. Take your time to find the right location, space, and ensure it can meet your short and long-term goals without being cost-prohibitive or inappropriate for your needs.
  2. Research the market in your area to ensure that your business will be viable in the region and is not already saturated.
  3. Work hard to find an excellent team to support you and help you realize your vision. You can't do everything yourself, and finding others to help you achieve these goals will help you get there without reaching burnout.

Where can people find you and your business?

Websites: https://body-works.ca/
Appointment: https://bodyworksphysiotherapy.janeapp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BodyWorksSportsPhysiotherapy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodywrksphysio/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bodyworkssportsphysio

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.