Mums in Business featuring Holisticare
For anyone following this series will know that I am passionate about supporting Mums who go on to set up their own business after having children. I love reading their stories, struggles and successes, which makes for such an inspiring read. This week I am delighted to be interviewing Nikki from Holisticare who set up her business 11 years ago, and it is really interesting to read how Nikki managed the business whilst her children were growing up into their teenage years. So read on…
Tell me a little bit about you, your background and Holisticare?
My name is Nikki Robinson and I live with my husband and three children. I qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1993 and have worked both in the NHS and in Australia. My last post in the NHS involved treating elderly patients, managing a team of community Physiotherapists and jointly running a Day Hospital.
In 2006 I started Holisticare, specialising in Myofascial Release – a safe, gentle, hands-on treatment that works with your body and mind to untangle the restrictions that cause pain, tension and inflammation. This technique satisfies my Physio-head as it’s based on science and research, and it suits me personally as it enables the therapist to truly follow the patient and work with their mind and body. It is the only treatment I have found that works with the patient rather than doing things to them. Every day I am inspired and humbled by our patients and how they allow us to work with them in changing their lives.
I completed my Myofascial Release training in the UK and have also trained in America and worked with John Barnes (the Physiotherapist who developed the technique). I am now one of the top specialist Myofascial Release Physiotherapists in Europe but there is still a lot more to learn. I am going back to America for more courses this year.
Having started my business working from home two mornings a week, it is now an award-winning, world class, purpose-built treatment centre, employing four full-time Myofascial Release therapists, treating patients who travel from all over the UK and beyond.
I am passionate about my job and my speciality because it works! We are able to help people of all ages – even in the womb. I feel extremely lucky that I am able to have a career and to grow my business in the profession that I chose age 13.
What were your drivers and motivations for setting up Holisticare?
Before I found Myofascial Release, I knew that I would start my own private practice in some shape or form. Having worked in the NHS, I felt strongly that it was possible to provide a service to patients that was totally focussed on their needs and that people were looking for therapists that provided that service.
My decision to specialise in Myofascial Release was actually led by my patients. The results that I was getting by using it were so amazing, people started to send their friends and family to me for treatment in this new technique. It became apparent that I had found a treatment that was extremely effective, that I was very good at and that people wanted. I had a business!
How do you balance the business around family and childcare?
I have always worked around the needs of my children; treating my patients when they were at school or playgroup and working on the business side of things evenings and weekends. Even though they are now teenagers, and I can be more flexible with my time, I still do my best to be there for them after school – if only to be a taxi service!
There have been many times when I have had to work more than the family would like, but then I have also been able to drop everything and be there for them in a crisis – one of the benefits of being the boss.
Since setting up Holisticare what’s been your biggest success to date?
I have won two business awards (Best Business Women Awards – Health and Wellness category 2016 and Uttlesford Business Awards Judges’ Award 2017). I am also a finalist in two categories in this year’s Best Business Women Awards (Most inspiring business woman and best business), and the winners will be announced on October 12th.
These awards have meant a lot to the whole team, and have given me more confidence in my own abilities as a business woman and entrepreneur, not just a Physiotherapist.
What’s your top tip for anyone who is thinking about setting up their own business?
Networking – find local groups and get to know other businesses in your area. There is so much support and expertise out there that you can use when you are setting up. Also consider working with a business coach – I have learnt a huge amount from coaches over the years.
Thank you so much Nikki for agreeing to be featured on my blog today. It’s been lovely finding out more about Holisticare, and I wish you every success in the future.
You can find out more about Holisticare on the website, or social media channels: Facebook and Twitter.
If you would like to be part of my Mums in Business then just drop me an email: thepramshedblog@gmail.com. Or have a nose at some of the other businesses I have featured in my series: The Mummy Consultancy, Created by Magic and Studio 44 Pilates.
Claire x