Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scott Thompson, Founder of Thompson Neuro Therapy, located in Charleston, SC, USA.

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

Thompson Neuro Therapy (TNT) is a mobile physical rehab company that treats patients with both traditional neurological diagnoses (i.e., stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, MS, migraine headaches) and less aggressive diagnoses by correcting neurological imbalances (i.e., chronic pain, shoulder dysfunction, emotional or cognitive issues).

Our innovative, research-based approach to treatment sets us apart and generates quicker results than ordinary physical rehab. We care for our clients holistically, focusing on the balancing of the neurological system. Everything in your body is controlled by the Nervous System – the brain and the nerves tell your body what to do. Optimizing the patient’s nervous system helps them recover faster and results in our patients living better and more fulfilling lives. Your body gives you signs, and at TNT, we help you see them, find what is causing them, and do something about them.

We are proud of our Clients Before Claims Commitment. This is our promise to work beyond the confines of insurance and typical medical practices to find answers for patients and help them move forward in their recovery. We work jointly with other clinicians around town, like chiropractors, integrative and functional medicine physicians, acupuncturists, massage therapists, reiki masters, yoga masters, etc. We get people to help, even if it is not with Thompson Neuro Therapy.

Tell us about yourself

Like many people that were injured playing sports in high school, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist when I grew up. Then, I came across a school that was offering a dual degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT), so I applied, knowing little to nothing about occupational therapy. First, I would complete my Master of Occupational Therapy degree and then continue and get the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Unexpectedly, I loved Occupational Therapy so much that I quit after getting my OT degree and have never looked back. Through my years of experience in the field and all the different locations I worked, I knew there had to be more to practice than what I was taught in school. So, I sought my post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree for a deeper understanding of my treatment, the research, and what really worked and what did not. I saw throughout my career that corporate liability practices or insurance regulations stood in the way of exemplary treatment for clients, and I knew one day, I would have my own company to cut through this red tape. There had to be a better way to serve my clients, and now there is - TNT.

In 2020, I finally started my own company as a side gig because I missed treating and interacting with patients and seeing their personal recovery. At that time, I was working as the Director of Clinical Services for a durable medical equipment company, which had me at a desk and behind a computer 99% of the time. Though informative, it was not the right job for me. So, in the last quarter of 2021, I went full-time in developing Thompson Neuro Therapy.

As for what motivates me, there are really three reasons that keep me going day to day at Thompson Neuro Therapy: (1) my family, (2) my community, and (3) my gift.

  1. I love and adore my wife, kids, and dog and want to provide them with the financial freedom they deserve and let them see what my many years of experience and schooling, and personal sacrifice have allowed me to develop.
  2. I was a transient person in my twenties and early thirties and have lived in nine states and been treated in six. I finally set my roots in Charleston, SC, and have no plan to leave. The people here are special, believe in helping their neighbors, and have a sense of community, even though the city is growing rapidly. I know that this is where I am supposed to begin my business, and I feel compelled to give back to this wonderful, ocean-side community and all the people that I have met or have yet to meet. I have always wanted to push the boundaries of normalcy in physical rehabilitation, and this is a great community to do just that.
  3. I want to reach my full potential as being a helpful person. God granted me a gift to help others, and I want to use that gift to help as many people as I can before my time runs out. I have always been that person that helps a stranger or goes above and beyond what my job entails so that my clients can benefit from our time together. Being an occupational therapist brings me into my clients’ lives, and I look to better every life that I encounter, even if it is by offering a simple smile.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the personal transformation that has and continues to occur. I have quickly learned to be more resourceful, gained further personal insight, see the depth of what my mind can create, rejoiced in the calm I’ve found, tried meditation for centeredness, swallowed my emotions to move forward with the business, and created the ability to love what I do day after day. I remember a quote by my stepdad, Guy Brumley (entrepreneur), “Owning your own business is like banging your head against the wall all day, then waking up the next day and doing it again.” It is so true but in a really odd but good way.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is trying to learn all about what you must do. It was overwhelming when I first started but finding a community of other entrepreneurs helps keep you focused and allows you to ask questions and get real feedback on marketing tasks or avoiding some errors others have made.

I was like a deer in the headlights when I first started because there was so much to learn, and I started without a blueprint or a mentor/coach. I suggest getting a coach/mentor if you can find one or afford one. This excels your progress and allows you to knock out many of the beginning stages of your business, as well as allows you to learn the basics about marketing, online webpages, business relations, etc.

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

  1. Do not be afraid to ask or seek help. No one knows everything, and asking for help will knock hours off your efforts to find an answer. Also, hiring people to do things for you, like creating a webpage, can save you time, money, and headaches. Your time is the most valuable commodity you have as a business owner.
  2. Do not give up! A business does not fail until it dissolves its license and shuts its doors. There is always money to be made, and do not let friction stop you. Pause, take a deep breath, and find the path you need to travel. Keep steadfast, and you will reap the rewards.
  3. Do not do it alone. Many of us humans want to stand out and be popular, but there is no one in the entire world that is successful all by themselves. Great athletes, business owners, actors, etc., all had people supporting and pushing them. Find a community of entrepreneurs and find the community and support you need.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If I were to give advice to anyone based on a bad habit I formed, it would be to take care of yourself during this journey. I let my physical health be what gave me an extra hour per day, and it does not help you overall. Lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity do not help you! You are the business owner, the operational machine, the best salesperson for your company, and the hardest worker. If you are not working at peak performance, the results will show, and you will become rundown very quickly. Taking care of yourself from the beginning sets you up for endless possibilities. I have seen and experienced these negative effects. Luckily, I have a support community that holds me accountable for my health, both physically and mentally.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thompsonneurotherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThompsonNeuroTherapy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thompsonneurotherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottthompsonn/

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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