We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Shaughnessy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was unemployed (by choice) over last summer and really enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of creating my own schedule of how to get done everything else that I needed to do each week (my husband and I were living in a tent and building our own home at the time- so there were a good deal of chores and various things I still needed to be doing despite not being employed.) When I thought of having to return to work at some point, I really dreaded losing that flexibility. I realized that there was an unused loft space at the CrossFit gym where I was a member, and had heard of other PTs opening clinics inside CrossFit gyms. I decided that this could allow me to still do the physical therapy work that I enjoy, cater to a community that has been so important to me (CrossFit), and maintain some freedom over my schedule.

Heather, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Heather Shaughnessy, PT, DPT. I am the owner and therapist at Glacier Sports Physical Therapy (GSPT.) GSPT is a small, outpatient orthopedic and sports centered physical therapy clinic. I help people overcome pain and injuries of muscles, joints, bones, tendons, etc. My company is structured as a concierge based physical therapy clinic, meaning that my clients have a membership with me which allows me to provide them with higher quality, more consistent care. I am deeply invested in helping my clients to achieve their goals and passionate about setting them up for long term health and success. Clients at my clinic receive personalized, one-on-one care, always with me- not with a PT aide or assistant- and always with their specific goals in mind.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I opened my clinic inside a CrossFit gym where I was already a coach. To date, this has been my main source of referrals because the gym members either know me or know of me. Other coaches also can refer gym members to come see me when they become aware that a member has an injury or source of pain. My clinic has only been open for about a year, but my hope is that I will gradually build more of a clientele outside of the gym members, but this will likely come about from word of mouth of gym members that I have treated which will take some time.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I am a CrossFit coach in the gym where my clinic is located! This helps me maintain a status of respect in the eyes of gym members, so they are more likely to come to me when they have an issue. I also work out in the CrossFit gym, so this allows me to keep in touch and interact with my clients even when they are not active clients with me. I’m coming up on my one year business anniversary at the end of December, so as both a celebration of that and of the holidays, I got my first swag with company logo embroidered (hats!) and gave these to some of my clients who have been extra supportive over the year- either in terms of referring others to me or just giving me business ideas- and of a few other referral sources that have been supportive. And I’ve got a few left over for some social media and email campaign give aways!

Contact Info:

• Website: glaciersportspt.com
• Instagram: glaciersportspt
• Facebook: Glacier Sports Physical Therapy