Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ian Goodwin, co-owner of Calgary Core Physiotherapy, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Calgary Core Physiotherapy is a private physiotherapy practice in downtown Calgary. We established our clinic with the goal of becoming the preeminent physiotherapy clinic in Calgary, built on expertise, experience, and outcomes. Our community of clients/patients are Calgarians seeking help with acute and chronic injuries, looking to stay active.
Tell us about yourself
I have been practicing physiotherapy in downtown Calgary since 2007 after working and travelling with Cirque du Soleil for four years. My partner, Timothy Lee, and I established our business in 2014. We were both looking for that next challenge and had some ideas about setting up a new boutique physiotherapy practice. A huge part of my day is direct patient care. I still maintain a full caseload, which motivates me to get downtown at 6 am each day. I love seeing patients and helping them to get better and regain control.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is surviving the Covid pandemic. We banded together as owners and as a team after being closed for five weeks in the spring of 2020. It was a rough time. We had to lay off some of our staff and experienced negative cash flow for a period of time. It has been a long and complicated two years. Still, I feel that our team is fortunate to stay busy during a time when many downtown businesses darkened their doors.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest challenge as a business owner in my experience has been developing leadership skills to manage people. Like many other physiotherapy clinic owners, we have limited formal business and leadership education. It is a big piece of benign an owner and one that I continue to work on each day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Develop a detailed business plan, including financial projections.
- Surround yourself with professional help and positive people who want to help you start your business.
- Be sure to spend time working on your business, not just in your business. Otherwise, you will burn out, and your business will fail to grow.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Calgary was an incredible place to start a small business. There were so many people that went out of their way to help and support us at every stage. It is no wonder that Calgary and Alberta are ranked as the best places for entrepreneurs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://calgarycorephysio.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calgarycorephysio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calgarycorephysio/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CgyCorePhysio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/calgary-core-physiotherapy
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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