We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Folsom recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I am not a born risk-taker. I thrive on stability and reliability. And yet…
Once I started a family, I started wanting more flexibility and autonomy of my schedule. So what did I do? I shifted from a very predictable schedule in outpatient physical therapy to the beginning ideas of opening my own private practice. At this point, I had no business training. In fact, I had to google the difference between net and gross pay. Yes. I was that person. Still, I know my town and I know this market. I found an intro business course through a wonderful local organization called Women’s Economic Ventures. I wasn’t googling revenue or ROI anymore!
But wait a minute … I still needed an office, a treatment table, well, EVERYTHING! And so it began. I found a cozy office near my house and my kids’ school, and I built my practice. Long hours, research, furniture making, business card making and marketing. I opened the doors to Heart of Gold Physical Therapy, a dedicated cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema practice, in November 2022. I figured I’d give it one year, see if it (I) could be successful. Talk about a steep learning curve, but man was I energized!
Here we are, three years later, one additional therapist on staff, happy patients, and a warmth knowing we’re filling a void in our community. Nothing truly great really happens without taking at least some risk – so worth it!!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Michelle Folsom, PT, certified oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema specialist
She has been practicing physical therapy in Santa Barbara since 2008. She has worked in various settings with very bright clinicians, starting her oncology and lymphedema specialization in 2017.
She feels fulfilled when helping others and believes one cannot truly take care of others until they take care of themselves. Thus her emphasis in a wellness practice grew. She values an efficient, evidence based approach to therapy, while maintaining the personal warmth that we all benefit from.
She is a lover of jokes, coffee, walking, weight lifting, and ashtanga yoga. She thrives when surrounded by her family and many beloved friends.
Heart of Gold Physical Therapy was founded with the mission of providing specialized care for those on the cancer continuum and those experiencing lymphedema. The practice is dedicated to advancing the standard of care and providing early intervention.
In special remembrance of Michael Dazey, Michelle’s father, who ultimately lost his battle with prostate cancer. Mike was a lifelong fan of Neil Young, which inspired the naming of the practice.
In Heart of Gold, 1972, Neil Young sang about finding a heart of gold. In a partner, and even more, in himself. We believe the enriching part of life comes from looking inward and searching for our own heart of gold.
“Life is about the people in it, not the material things or experiences.”
-Michael Dazey, 5/20/1951 – 5/10/2022
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
There are a few things that I think have contributed to a thriving practice.
– Creating a supportive network of other specialized providers in my field in our greater area. There aren’t a lot of cancer rehab/lymphedema providers, and often we work in isolation. To have a group of therapists that come together quarterly to learn, share, and grow together has been a wonderful way to not just gain friends, but increase our referral base.
– Offering free community resources, workshops, and consultation calls. Not everyone is right for our practice, but we can offer so much advice and guidance for what would benefit an individual in our community. I believe that if you put good will out into the universe, it will come back to in some way, at some point. We will get new patients calling that have heard about our practice because a friend called us a year ago and thought we were so warm and helpful.
Win-win!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Staying on the cutting edge of techniques, tools, and technology. Continual curiousity and the goal to offer the most to our patients. And always keeping the patient and their personal journey and goals at the forefront. What is good for the patient is good for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartofgoldpt.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartofgoldpt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552303648722
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-folsom-276151a2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OncologyRehab
