Podcast Summary: Grow Your Local Business

Episode Title: How Dr. Mel Fully Booked Her Practice in a Small Town – and Again in a Big City
Host: Leslie Presnell
Guest: Dr. Melissa Thompson, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Release Date: September 24, 2024

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Grow Your Local Business, host Leslie Presnell welcomes her client and student, Dr. Melissa Thompson, a pelvic floor physical therapist. Dr. Mel shares her journey of establishing and expanding her practice from a small town in South Louisiana to the bustling North Houston area in Texas. The conversation delves into the challenges of building a niche practice, strategic marketing, balancing professional growth with personal life, and the impact of motherhood on her business operations.

Building a Niche Practice in a Small Town

Dr. Mel began her practice in Houma, a small town in South Louisiana, where she faced significant challenges as an outsider unfamiliar with the community. The main hurdles included:

• Lack of Awareness: The local population and medical community were largely unaware of pelvic floor therapy.

  • Dr. Melissa Thompson (02:58): “There’s zero pelvic therapists, or at least zero that you can find. When you Google physical therapy and Houma or pelvic therapy, like, nothing comes up.”

• Mindset Barriers: Overcoming her own doubts and the community's skepticism required a strong mindset.

  • Dr. Mel (03:14): “I did the research, saw there’s zero pelvic therapists, and thought, 'Everyone should just book with me.' But people didn’t understand what I do.”

• Effective Use of Instagram: Leveraging social media was pivotal in reaching her local audience and educating them about her services.

  • Dr. Mel (05:18): “I was successful using my Instagram as a way to reach local people. People started reaching out after seeing my posts consistently.”

Leslie attributes this success to consistent messaging and Dr. Mel’s dedication to educating her community about pelvic health.

Transitioning to a Competitive Market: North Houston

After establishing a solid client base in Houma, Dr. Mel and her husband, Dr. Patrick Thompson, decided to move to North Houston, Texas. This transition introduced a new set of challenges:

• Increased Competition: Houston’s larger market meant encountering numerous competitors in the physical therapy and pelvic health space.

  • Dr. Mel (11:00): “We went from being a big fish to being a smaller one in a sea of competition.”

• Shift in Marketing Strategy: Realizing that Instagram alone was insufficient, Dr. Mel expanded her marketing efforts to include Facebook and Google to reach potential clients.

  • Dr. Mel (11:29): “We went to Facebook and Google, and that is where people are hanging out. And so interesting. Fully booked now.”

• Differentiating Services: Highlighting unique aspects of their practice was essential to stand out.

  • Dr. Mel (14:07): “Patrick can address symptoms in just a couple of visits, which is unheard of in the area. For me, I bridge fitness with pelvic rehab, offering a comprehensive service.”

Leslie emphasizes the importance of identifying and promoting what makes your business unique to attract the right clientele.

Balancing Business Growth with Motherhood

Dr. Mel’s personal life underwent significant changes with the adoption of her child, Kaden. This section explores how she managed her business alongside motherhood:

• Adoption Journey: The couple faced infertility and decided to adopt, navigating the complex process in Texas.

  • Dr. Mel (15:28): “We started the application process in June and were matched in January. We had to quickly adjust our schedules to accommodate the new addition to our family.”

• Adjusting Work Hours: To prioritize bonding with her baby, Dr. Mel reduced her client load and optimized her schedule for better balance.

  • Dr. Mel (20:56): “I now see eight to ten patients a week, which is about half of what I was doing before, but it allows me to manage my time and mental capacity effectively.”

• Managing Time and Efficiency: Motherhood necessitated more efficient time management, leading to higher productivity within limited hours.

  • Dr. Mel (22:02): “I'm fully booked and don't feel the need to rush. My clients respect my time, allowing me to focus on quality sessions.”

• Embracing Flexibility: Understanding that motherhood is unpredictable, she adapted by remaining flexible and accepting the ever-changing nature of her schedule.

  • Dr. Mel (26:31): “I surrendered to the fact that I don't know what he's going to want today. If he takes a two-hour nap, I might watch Netflix. That's fine.”

Leslie shares her own experiences with balancing business and motherhood, highlighting the universal challenges faced by parent-preneurs.

Insights and Takeaways

Dr. Mel provides valuable insights from her journey, emphasizing the importance of foundational business strategies and continuous learning:

• Defining the Ideal Client: Understanding who your ideal client is can transform your marketing efforts and client retention.

  • Dr. Mel (27:40): “The Localpreneur Academy helped me realize that I was targeting the wrong audience. Focusing on my niche saved me mentally and professionally.”

• Comprehensive Coaching Benefits: Beyond marketing, coaching provided Dr. Mel with systems and strategies to handle increased demand without compromising service quality.

  • Dr. Mel (29:09): “The program teaches more than just marketing. It covers essential business operations to prevent your business from crumbling under growth.”

• Community and Support: Engaging with a supportive community and having access to ongoing resources were crucial for sustained growth and problem-solving.

  • Dr. Mel (30:32): “The lifetime access to resources and community support in the Localpreneur Academy is invaluable. It helps you adapt as your business evolves.”

• Embracing Your Achievements: Dr. Mel learned to confidently promote her unique services without feeling like she was bragging.

  • Dr. Mel (14:57): “You have to talk about what sets you apart. It's in service of your clients knowing why they should choose you.”

Key Quotes

• Dr. Melissa Thompson (02:58): “When you Google physical therapy and Houma or pelvic therapy, like, nothing comes up.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (05:18): “People started reaching out after seeing my posts consistently.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (11:00): “We went from being a big fish to being a smaller one in a sea of competition.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (14:07): “Patrick can address symptoms in just a couple of visits, which is unheard of in the area.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (20:56): “I now see eight to ten patients a week, which is about half of what I was doing before.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (27:40): “Focusing on my niche saved me mentally and professionally.”
• Dr. Melissa Thompson (30:32): “The lifetime access to resources and community support in the Localpreneur Academy is invaluable.”

Conclusion

Dr. Melissa Thompson’s journey from establishing a niche pelvic floor therapy practice in a small town to successfully navigating a competitive market in North Houston exemplifies the resilience and strategic thinking necessary for local business growth. Coupled with her experience of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Dr. Mel offers a relatable and inspiring story for localpreneurs aiming to expand their reach and impact.

Leslie Presnell wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore the Localpreneur Academy, highlighting its comprehensive support system designed to help small business owners become the go-to experts in their local markets.

For More Information:
To learn more about growing your local business, visit lesleypresnell.com and explore the Localpreneur Academy for resources and coaching opportunities.

Produced by Grow Your Local Business Podcast