Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Cozean, founder of PelvicSanity, located in Laguna Hills, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Far too many people suffer in silence from pelvic health issues. These can include pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, urinary incontinence, low back pain, prolapse of the pelvic organs, and other urinary and bowel issues. Not only can these impact everything we do in our everyday lives, they can also cause embarrassment, frustration, and shame.
At PelvicSanity, we provide expert care for pelvic health conditions - basically for anything you wouldn't want to discuss at a dinner party. Peeing, pooping, sex, and pelvic pain - we've got you covered. We work to not only alleviate symptoms but find the underlying 'why' so our patients can live symptom-free and find lasting relief.
We work with some of the most complex patients from across the country and around the world who come to our Southern California clinic for treatment and provide online resources for those we can't serve directly. Our mission is to change the way pelvic health is treated, and everyone can receive expert-level care.
Tell us about yourself
So many of my patients have an insane journey with their pelvic health. They're shuffled between practitioners, searching on the internet, given conflicting information. I founded PelvicSanity to do just that - provide sanity to an insane journey and help people find lasting relief from pelvic health symptoms.
I wanted to practice the way I believe patients deserve. That meant 1:1, hour-long treatment sessions with an actual pelvic health expert so we could get to the bottom of what was really going on. We've created an amazing space for patients to find healing.
I'm also so motivated each day by my staff. I love teaching and mentoring younger physical therapists and helping them find joy in their ability to help others (which, after all, is why we all went to PT school!).
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm most excited that our practice has become a model for other pelvic health clinics all across the country. When we started off, we wanted to change the way pelvic health is practiced, and we're starting to see that change spreading.
When I started PelvicSanity, it was difficult - in some places impossible - to get high-quality care. Most programs only spent 20-30 minutes with patients, had them spend time exercising with aides instead of working with a PT, or had pelvic health as an 'add-on' to a busy orthopedic clinic.
Now we're seeing more and more options for patients. Physical therapists recognize how important a full hour of treatment is for their patients, and patients are willing to pay for higher quality care. We're able to help more people and spread the word about how beneficial pelvic physical therapy can be. We're not there yet, but I'm looking forward to a time when every single person who needs pelvic physical therapy is able to find amazing local care.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
We always talk about how owning a business will reveal every flaw, weakness, and insecurity. It's a huge challenge and a huge opportunity for growth. The problems never go away, but you're hopefully trading your current problems for better ones in the future.
One of my biggest challenges has been letting go of control over the business and truly trusting my staff. They're amazing clinicians (and people!) and do an incredible job. But when it's your name on the door, you tend to want to control every aspect of the patient experience. My perfectionist tendency is one of my biggest strengths and a huge challenge to overcome.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I think the most important advice we give is to make sure the business is working for you (and not you for the business). We often start allowing the business to take over our lives, creating a job for ourselves that we don't love. If we're going to put all the time, effort, and energy into running a business it should be something we love.
Another piece of advice is to get help from those who have reached where you want to go. Getting mentorship or coaching can be a lifesaver in business. We've been on both ends - giving and receiving mentorship - and it not only expedites your growth but keeps you sane along the way. And make sure that help is coming from someone who actually knows the path you need to take to get there.
Finally, make sure you're having fun along the way! Your business is a reflection of you. The customers you attract and the employees you hire are what you are attracting. Enjoy the journey of creating something new and amazing in the world!
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pelvicsanity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelvicsanity
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecozean
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.
