Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Morrison, owner of Total Body Therapy & Wellness, located in Lillington, NC, USA.

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

We are Total Body Therapy & Wellness. We want to help people "Heal Your Body, Live your life!"

TBTW is all about getting people back to their "normal" activities, WITHOUT medicine, injections, or surgery. We offer physical therapy and other wellness options to help you achieve your goals. Oftentimes, medication is the "go-to" option for many health care professionals. Many people do not know there are other options besides medication, injections, or surgery to feel better. Other people do not know that natural, effective solutions exist. So they go on hurting. We want people to know that effective, natural relief is possible! We help you get back to the activities you love - whether that be going to the gym, playing golf, yard work, or even getting dressed - without pain.

Tell us about yourself

I have always hated seeing people in pain and wanted to do whatever I could to help them. I remember giving my dad "massages" when I was five years old! After becoming a Physical therapist for about two years, I realized I was not making a difference in many of my patients' lives. Sure, some of them were getting better, but I was still sending more than half of my patients back to the doctor to get injections or surgery. That wasn't good enough for me. How could I tell people that I could help them when really I could only get 1/3 of them back to "normal" again?! At that point, I started doing a lot of research. I did a lot of practice. And I began to realize that natural pain relief WAS possible. Rarely is it possible when you look at a small section of the body? But if you back up and look at the body as a whole, you can see the bigger picture. To get real relief, you need to treat the body as a whole functioning unit if you want it all to function together. The other aspect of healing is money. Money talks. And many times, procedures are selected or not selected because of how much they cost. I wanted to help people based on what they need, not what costs the most. There are simple, natural, cost-effective ways to improve pain, and I believe people need to know about them in order to make the best decision for themselves and their bodies.

Eventually, I was blessed with the opportunity to open my own clinic and treat people the way I wanted to treat them - treat their body as a whole and getting them back to "normal" WITHOUT Medicine, Injections, or Surgery. And I've enjoyed every minute of it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've had many accomplishments in my career- I have several specialty degrees/certifications that have required extra work and schooling, I was president of our Chamber of Commerce, I have been asked to speak at college graduations, and I have written four books. But honestly, I wouldn't consider any of them my "biggest accomplishment." I would have to honestly say that what I am most proud of is having a clinic that helps people find real relief. It pains me inside to hear people have "tried everything" and "been everywhere" without relief. I love being able to provide that to people. When anyone in town has an ache, pain, weakness, etc., someone will tell them, "Call Total Body; they'll fix you!". Every day I love coming to work knowing that I am helping people get back to the activities that they love, stay away from pain medication, stay out of the operating room, and bring their independence back.

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

To be honest, it got much harder when we added employees! Hiring, training, making procedures, disciplining, HR, all of that takes much more time and money than you would think. No matter what you say, most people think that you are rich if you own a business. They don't - and can't - understand the sacrifices you have made. They do not understand how you do not get a paycheck when business is slow. They do not understand how owning a business is a 24/7 job. It never ends. You never clock out. That's why you have to have a passion for what you do. Because if you don't, you'll never make it through the hard times.

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

  1. Borrow enough money. Plan your expenses and make sure you borrow enough. Get a line of credit that you can draw from when you have a last-minute need. Many businesses close because they never got enough start-up cash.
  2. When it comes to employees - hire the right ones. Wait for them. Don't ever hire someone "because you're desperate." It will always, and I mean always, backfire. A few years ago, we started a 90-day contract with every employee. No matter what position. We began to hire people for 90 days only. Then after that, there is a review. If you like the person, you offer them a permanent position (with benefits if applicable). People are good at fooling you in an interview, but during those 90 days, there is enough time to see if they are a worker or not. Get everything in writing.
  3. Find your passion. Do that. Never stop doing that. As you grow, you will realize your strengths and weaknesses. Keep doing your strengths. Do not focus on what you are not so good at. When you come across the areas of your business that have to be done but you aren't good at, find someone who is good at that and hire them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Just like a marriage, there are highs and lows for your business. If you love it, hang in there. Ask God for guidance, and he will give you the wisdom you need for every situation.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://tbtwonline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbtwnc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-morrison-2401b0b/

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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