We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Nekita Sullivan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Nekita , thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I was not ready to start my own practice but it was provoked by the pandemic. As a student at Clemson their were few places for students of color to get hair care services and products. Therefore, we would drive to neighboring counties for these services. I was surprised that the need still existed. My sorority sister and I agreed to open our own business while on a girls trip. I decided to come back to Clemson and open a multiethnic salon. I opened on Valentine’s Day 2020 and closed 3 weeks later with the mandated shutdown due to the start of the covid 19 pandemic. I closed and cried for several months. However, I had rent to pay. So I put on my big girls pants, sold all of my salon equipment, knocked down a wall, and reopened my holistic physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, wellness practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I played volleyball, basketball, flag football, and ran track in high school at Mauldin High. I also had in interest in healthy lifestyles. My mother combined my interest in sports and health and presented the field of physical therapy to me as it was projected as one of the top 10 careers. I began volunteering and shadowing at local physical therapy clinics in Greenville county. I applied to the Health Science program at Clemson and was accepted. I continued to volunteer and shadow while a student at Clemson. I applied to the Medical University of South Carolina Physical Therapy program in Charleston and was accepted. After graduation, I received became a licensed physical therapist. I have since worked as a physical therapist at AnMed Health System, Spartanburg Regional Health System, BMW, The Woodlands of Furman, Progressive Physical Therapy, Gentiva Home Care, ATI Physical Therapy assisting kids, adults, athletes, seniors, employees, and those with special needs. I am also a certified yoga and Pilates teacher. I provide a unique blend of physical therapy, yoga, and Pilates so I can holistically improve the physical and mental health and wellness of those I service. I am most proud to see the progress of those that I service. I provide pediatric physical therapy services for autistic kids ages 3+. It is most heart-warming to see them progress from not being able to throw, catch, or kick a ball to playing catch with their siblings, playing on the playground with their classmates, walking up and down stairs without falling, and running outdoors. The American culture can be quite stressful due to the multitasking work environment and everyday struggles leading to physical and mental stress, pain, and injury. It is my sincere pleasure to provide holistic services that allows those I service to live their best lives daily at home, work, school, and in the community.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

I tried applying for a traditional loan via a local bank. They declined me because they didn’t feel that my business would be more profitable than my current employed position. I was not approved for a traditional small business loan either. So I boot strapped and used my own money. I liquidated several credit cards and credit lines. I used my savings, IRA, and 401 K. I finally was approved for the covid 19 EIDL loan through the SBA in November 2021 after applying in March of 2020.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I began the journey for opening my business in the fall of 2017. firing 1 contractor and hiring another
firing 1 interior designer and hiring another
waiting 1 year after signing my lease to receive my keys in April of 2018 due to property management transitions
opening as a salon in February
closing the salon in March due to pandemic
loosing all of my salon employees
selling all salon equipment
renovating salon to physical therapy, yoga, pilates, wellness studio
reopening January 2021
using all of my personal savings to remain open during pandemic
growing a new business…GEEZ

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yogatherapybar.com
• Instagram: yogatherapybar
• Facebook: yogatherapybar
• Linkedin: yogatherapybar
• Twitter: yogatherapybar1
• Youtube: yogatherapybar1

Image Credits
USA Today and Greenville News photo credit for the first picture