Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Duffey, owner of Empower Physio and Wellness, located in Westerville, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I created Empower Physio and Wellness to do physical therapy differently. Throughout my schooling and early professional career, I saw too many people get bounced around in the healthcare system. Before coming to see me, they may have had imaging, injections, medications, and other interventions that didn't help or just put a band-aid on the problem. They have been told things like "You'll never run again," "Just stop doing the activity that bothers you," or "You need surgery." My clients tell me that these "solutions" don't sit well with them. They want another option. I want to give them that other option.
At Empower Physio and Wellness, we spend a lot of time figuring out what the real underlying problem is and how to fix that. It is imperative that both my client and I have a clear understanding of what is going on. That way, we can fix it most efficiently- I can prescribe the correct interventions, and those interventions have meaning to my clients because they fully understand the process.
My mission is to let people know that they can feel better, regardless of what their past looks like. So many people have accepted that that's just the way it is and don't think they'll ever feel better. It is my mission to give people a different experience and regain hope.
My absolute favorite things to help people with are back pain, neck pain, headaches, knee pain, and running-related injuries. I use a combination of hands-on treatments like dry needling, cupping, and trigger point release and combine it with movement retraining, corrective exercise, and strength training to help people fix the root cause of the problem and keep their pain or injury from constantly coming back.
It is so rewarding to see the transformations people make in their lives when we work together. We heal years of back and neck pain, get injured runners back on the road, eliminate debilitating headaches, and get people back to the activities they love- things like hiking, traveling, keeping up with grandkids, running, gardening, and living life unrestricted. It is truly humbling and amazing.
Tell us about yourself
I can confidently say that I never thought I'd be doing what I am doing today...but I am forever grateful for where my life has led me. I always knew I wanted to be a physical therapist but never thought I'd own my own practice. A friend of mine got me involved in a group of PT entrepreneurs, and I soon realized that it wasn't as hard or complicated as I thought. The idea kept pulling on my heart, and I realized I was being called to open Empower Physio and Wellness.
This was born from the desire to do what I could to bypass the broken medical system in my community. People need to be truly heard and given individualized attention, so they are empowered in their health. They need to know how stress, sleep, and nutrition affect the way they feel physically. They need someone to explain what is going on with their body, someone to truly believe in them and their goals, and someone to guide them in the process of allowing their body to heal. This is severely lacking in our current medical system. It is my mission to provide this experience to people so they can regain hope and confidence in their body's ability to move.
I learned a lot through my own struggles with pain and injury. Throughout my teenage and adult life, I struggled with knee and neck pain that would come and go. It really got in the way of things I loved, like running, exercise, and playing with my son. It wasn't until I became a PT and even went to PT myself that I learned that the underlying issue was never fixed- that was why my pain kept coming back. Once I committed to the process of healing the root cause, I got off the rollercoaster of pain and injury, flaring up every few months. It feels so amazing to focus on living my life, not modifying my life to stay out of pain. I want other people to have this same freedom and confidence as well. It is truly life-changing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been the ability to adapt to the changes in my life and the world at large. In the 2.5 years that Empower Physio and Wellness has been open, the COVID pandemic happened, and I had my first baby. My business structure has changed three times as a result, and I'm really proud of myself for adapting and continuing to serve my people amidst life's chaos.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Separating my own intrinsic happiness and sense of success with how my business is performing. When business is tough, it's super easy to feel like a failure. But that mindset doesn't serve me or help anyone.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Work on yourself first. Get your mindset in the right place, focusing on abundance and possibility. Know your values. Everything else flows from that foundation.
- Hire a business coach. They will help you get to where you want to go faster and with more confidence than if you fumble through it alone.
- Make it FUN! The best things come when you're having a good time.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We live in a world of amazing opportunities. All you need is 1% more confidence than fear. If you have a dream, go for it. The world is a better place when everyone lives to their full potential.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://empowerphysioandwellness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerphysioandwellness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerphysioandwellness/
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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