I was asked this morning to write down my top 10 tips for what to avoid when starting a cash based practice. Since I always prefer to think in terms of positive ideas, I’m answering here with my top 10 tips of what TO do! I hope that this list is helpful: 1) Get really clear on your UVP and mission. Live it, breathe it. 2) Work with an attorney to set up your articles of incorporation, LLC, and all legal documents. 3) Obtain professional liability insurance. 4) Research your location. Talk to other business owners in the area. 5) Keep overhead low. 6) Negotiate a situation where you pay only for the time you are actually using the space. 7) Build relationships with everyone in the neighborhood where your office is located. 8) Do trades with personal trainers and massage therapists so they can get a feel for what you do (and refer clients that are appropriate). 9) Start at a pace comfortable for you (keep your day job and start with one day a week, or one patient a week, or whatever is financially a good decision for you). 10) Have a website (even if it’s simple). I love to help other therapists start their journey toward being an owner. If you found these tips to be valuable, you might want to check out my Webinar, Starting a Cash Based Practice. I cover these topics and more, to help you get on the path to building your ideal practice.
Read more →You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) On a recent Saturday morning I woke up and turned over to grab my phone to see what time it was. All of a sudden WHOOMP, the whole world flipped upside down. “Uggggghhhh”, I moaned as I lay there motionless, trying to explain to my husband what I was wailing about. Vertigo. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my first experience with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). I had my first bout with BPPV over 20 years ago, under the same circumstances (went to bed fine, woke up in the morning and turned over to discover the whole world flipped upside down.) At that time I had no idea what was going on. At least this time I did. BP…What? BPPV is the most common disorder of the inner ear’s vestibular system. 2.4% of people will experience it in their lifetime. Let’s first talk about the name of the disorder. Benign indicates that it is not life threatening and generally doesn’t progress. Paroxysmal indicates sudden onset of symptoms. Positional refers to the fact that the symptoms usually occur with changes in head position. Vertigo is a spinning sensation. How does it happen? Our vestibular organs in our inner ear consist of the utricle, saccule and 3 semicircular canals. The semicircular canals detect rotational movement of the head. When the head rotates the fluid exerts pressure against the cupula, the sensory receptor at the base of the canal. The receptor then sends impulses to the brain about the head’s movement. BPPV occurs when the otoconia (tiny crystals of calcium carbonate that are a normal part of the inner ear’s anatomy) detach from the otolithic membrane in the utricle and collect in one of the semicircular canals. When the head is still, the otoconia settle. When the head […]
Read more →Over the past few years I’ve received countless emails, Tweets and phone calls from therapists with questions about starting and running a cash based practice. I’ve had the privilege to work one on one with some excellent therapists who are now venturing out on their own with this practice model; but, I can only help so many people at a time that way. I’m excited to launch my first Webinar designed to help you create the practice of your dreams. Thinking Outside the Box: Creating Your Cash Based Practice was designed to answer your questions. Whether you’re starting a new 100% cash based practice, transitioning from an insurance based to cash based practice, or looking to add cash based services to your existing practice, you’ll find what you need here. To your success! Ann
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