Power to Heal - Synergy Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jesse Awenus, co-owner of Synergy Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I own and operate a large multidisciplinary Sports Medicine clinic in the east end of Toronto. We work with people of all ages suffering from acute and chronic conditions such as low back pain, post-operative rehab, pelvic girdle pain, and sports injuries.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a Physiotherapist entering my 13th year of practice. I am an avid reader and consumer of literature related to my chosen profession. I love the idea of being able to use my hands to help someone feel better and then guide them in their rehab journey to make them independent in their care. I wanted to be a Physiotherapist simply because I learned from a young age I didn't have the capacity (or interest) to do any kind of work that required me to sit at a desk all day or sell some kind of product.

In my role, I get to connect with patients and staff and really learn about their stories. I love seeing someone walk in feeling fragile and broken and having them leave with a sense of optimism about their ability to recover and get back to the things they love. When everything works, it's a great gig!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

That's easy... my staff. They are the life-blood of this clinic, and I've helped bring together such an amazing group of talented healthcare professionals who all want to see this place grow and succeed. I've helped create a clinic where people feel heard and appreciated, and we are now synonymous with quality patient care. This is something I am extremely proud of. Also, winning the 2020 and 2022 Top-Choice awards for the best Physiotherapy clinic in Toronto is pretty great.

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

That's also easy.. the staff! Everyone has their own identity and ways of handling conflict, and I have to do my best to be attuned to the unique need of each member of staff. Personal problems can creep into their morals, and being sensitive to that is key. Managing a growing staff and ensuring personal time with each of them can be a challenge. HR has been a huge challenge as well. Finding quality people for both administrative and clinical roles is always tough and something I can work on streamlining.

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

1. Understand going in that it's lonely at the "top." If you are someone who needs praise for the hard work you do, then look elsewhere.
2. There is no such thing as a fully automated business. No matter how many systems you put in place, nothing beats human connection. You need to be available to your team, day or night.
3. This is probably well known, but don't expect to be rich, especially in a healthcare setting. Margins are slimmer than many people might think, and providing quality care in a beautiful space with a full admin team is NOT cheap. Be prepared to work hard and not always see the fruits of that labor from a momentary perspective right away.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://synergysportsmedicine.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessephysio_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-awenus-5b624b29/

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.