Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kara Murphy, owner of Driftwood Sport and Wellness, located in Victoria, BC, Canada.

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

Driftwood is a multidisciplinary wellness clinic that offers collaborative treatment for all injuries, ages, and abilities. Our team is stacked with like-minded, passionate, and dedicated practitioners whose only goal is to help their patients recover and achieve their wellness goals. We pride ourselves on providing educational care so our patients can truly understand their injuries.

As Conor Mcgregor once said:

"An injury is not just a process of recovery; it's a process of discovery." Due to our patient education philosophy, our recovery rate is so high that patients often only need an average of 3 sessions before they are able to get back to work and sports. To top it all off, we are able to direct bill extended benefits, so our patients don't have to worry about upfront costs.

Our clinic provides the following services:

  • Acupuncture
  • Athletic Therapy
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Kinesiology
  • Registered Massage Therapy
  • Custom Orthotics
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy (Coming soon)
  • ICBC Injury Care

Tell us about yourself

I love answering this question; If I were a dog, I would be a Border Collie. I am fueled by my passion for helping others mixed with drive, determination, and of course, a healthy dose of competitive nature!

I am a Certified Athletic Therapist CAT(C) and a Kinesiologist. I received my Bachelors of Athletic and Exercise Therapy from Camosun College. Shortly after graduating, I moved from my hometown (Victoria) to a small town in Saskatchewan. At the age of 23 and a fresh graduate, I interviewed and became the Head Athletic Therapist at a college which homed over ten competitive teams. Here I was given a budget to outfit a clinic from scratch, create policies and ultimately build the Athletic Therapy Department from scratch. 2 years into this position, I decided it was time to move back to the Island where my significant other, friends, and family resided. Though I had a great boss in Saskatchewan, I decided he was my last, it was time to become my own boss, and thus the hustle began.

In summer 2018, I decided to start treating out of a small room inside of a fitness gym. With only room for a treatment table and chair, my clinic was born. After a very slow start, many tears, and barely making ends meet, things started to pick up. I distinctively remember sitting on my stairs at home crying because I had no patients to treat the whole week. I started applying to many other jobs, going to career fairs, and basically giving up on my dream. It was then, when I was driving to soccer practice weeks later, that I had the idea to find someone to share the space with. I then sublet my room to another AT who worked under my then-brand Victoria Sports Therapy. This gave me the ability to help pay rent at the gym and made it so I could work full time for the military teaching Fitness while I built the clinic. I worked 40 hours for the military, then evenings and weekends at the clinic/gym.

I averaged about 70 hours a week in working hours. In the Fall of 2019, Kiana, who is a Registered Massage Therapist and my now work wife/business partner, joined the team. We grew from just me to 5 people treating out of one room in a matter of months. It was time to expand. I was nine months pregnant when Kiana and I were looking at spaces to lease in the Langford area. Six months later, we found a space, signed on the dotted line, and began the process of a rebrand, incorporation, shareholders agreements, clinic designs, and hiring staff, all while I had a young baby and was in the middle of a Pandemic. In November 2021, Driftwood Sport and Wellness were open for business. We had eight practitioners at the time of opening, and we now have 14 and are unable to take on any more.

Like a border, collie motivation runs through my veins; my husband will tell you that I have a problem with relaxing and turning off my business brain. Kiana and I choose to own the business not only because we have young families that we need to provide for but because there is no greater reward than working for yourself. You are your own hope; you won't let yourself down; you are your own best bet, and that's worth taking a chance on.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of our biggest accomplishments is being told that we are the best "bosses" that some of our practitioners have ever had. Kiana and I wanted to create an open, light, inclusive, and bonded environment for our team, and I think we are well on our way. We are so thankful and proud of our team of practitioners; we consider ourselves very lucky to have each and every one of them. Need more convincing? Read our google reviews, and you will see how the community is reacting to our team.

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

The work never ends. If you decide to treat patients and run a business, you will quickly realize that your day does not end when that last patient leaves. Accounting, billing reconciliation, social media posts, bills, and other day-to-day tasks need to be taken care of before you can go home. These tasks don't end on Fridays either, be prepared for seven days a week of hustle unless you are able to afford to hire help such as a clinic manager. Be prepared to not see the financial reward of your business until at least 1- 2 years after opening.

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

  1. If you plan to have a social or family life, get yourself a business partner or "work wife." Someone who is in the same or similar field as you who has the same drive and determination as you do. Kiana and I often joke that we have the "same brain" and love the ability to bounce ideas off of each other and provide relief for one another if one is away or home with our babies.
  2. Have a plan. What are your short-term and long-term goals? Make this as detailed as possible. How will you financially back your business, and will you have the time to take on the demands that business ownership brings?
  3. Choose your leadership style. Be the boss that you always wished you had. Business is often thought of as facts over feelings, but remember; it's how you make your employees and clientele feel that will keep them not only coming back but recommending your business which will ultimately lead to growth.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Being a woman in business takes that extra edge and determination. You will be discriminated against, pushed aside, and not taken seriously. Stay persistent and passionate, and you will be able to build the business you have always dreamed about.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.driftwoodhealth.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/driftwoodsportandwellness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/driftwoodsportandwellness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-murphy-mikkers-b597177a/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.