Welcome to my blog, where I share the story of my transition from a practicing physical therapist to a passionate PT marketing entrepreneur. I'm Taylor Kirk, and this journey has been one filled with challenges, ups, and downs, but above all, it's been a path of self-discovery and personal growth. In this blog post, I aim to provide you with insights into my transformation and the lessons I've learned along the way.
The Start of My Career
My journey began with a deep passion for physical therapy. I graduated in May 2020, right in the midst of the global pandemic. Despite the uncertainty of those times, I was eager to dive into my career.
I had a vision, and that was to work as a physical therapist. I'd always known that physical therapy was my calling, and I was excited to make a difference in people's lives.
Early Challenges
My first job was in a fast-paced, private practice outpatient physical therapy clinic. We were double-booked and saw numerous patients every day. My idealistic picture of patient care soon faced a harsh reality.
Burnout hit me hard. I was overwhelmed, stressed, and felt like I couldn't provide the quality care I wanted to. My job seemed to never end, with documentation piling up and me working even after hours. It was a challenging environment, one that many physical therapists can relate to.
The Search for Balance
Recognizing the need for a change, I transitioned into a home health position, hoping for more flexibility in my schedule. However, the realities of the position differed from what I expected. The long travel times and unpaid hours on the road were draining. I felt like my time was not valued, and the lack of support only added to the frustration.
A Glimpse of Hope
My turning point came when a clinical instructor from my student days reached out with a job opportunity at a facility I had always admired. This was a chance to work in a clinic that aligned with my values and provided quality patient care. I seized the opportunity and started there in September 2021, providing the support and work environment that I craved. It was during this employment opportunity that I also found a passion of pelvic health PT.
Navigating Non-Compete Agreements
About a year into this position, my husband took a job that required him to travel and be away from home at lest fifty percent of our lives. As it goes, we were also hoping to start a family around this time. This meant I needed a more flexible schedule.
I found myself entangled in a non-compete agreement that restricted me from pursuing my own Women's Wellness business. This was a turning point, a moment of realization that corporate healthcare sees employees as cogs in their machine rather than individuals with unique life situations.
Discovering a New Path
I distinctly remember sitting on a virtual call with my business coaching, in tears at the situation. I was at a loss and wasn't sure where my career would go from that point.
Just as I had lost almost all hope of finding a career path that would accommodate life's changes, my business coach, Morgan Meese, offered me the opportunity to work under her in the form of a marketing apprenticeship. She had mentioned that my skill level for web design, writing, graphic design, and problem solving had shown impressive and she was in need of help. Immediately, I jumped on this opportunity.
I decided to delve into the world of marketing, initially assisting my business coach, Morgan, a physical therapist herself, with her marketing services. It was a huge learning curve, but I was eager to grasp every aspect of running a business. I started by creating websites, content, and copywriting. My journalism background from high school unexpectedly became an asset. I learned the value of marketing and how it can make or break a business. Check out my blog post here where I dive into the importance of marketing your pelvic health practice.
Building My Own Business
By June of this year, I had landed my first significant client, a speech therapist starting her practice in Texas. It was an exhilarating experience to build her website from scratch. Knowing that she loved the result and that I had made my first income from my business was a defining moment for me.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Throughout my journey, I have encountered self-doubt and imposter syndrome. The challenges I faced along the way made me question my abilities. However, Morgan's mentorship and the satisfaction of my clients were proof that I had the potential to succeed. This journey has taught me that with determination and continuous learning, you can reinvent yourself.
Believing in Yourself
My journey from physical therapist to PT marketing entrepreneur has been a rollercoaster of experiences and self-discovery. Through the lows and highs, I have learned that it's essential to adapt, to believe in oneself, and to take the leap of faith. I've found my passion in helping other physical therapy practices grow through effective healthcare marketing, and I look forward to what the future holds.
Remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, and the journey is just as important as the destination.
If you're interested in watching the video associated with this blog post, check it out here!
If you want to learn more about how I could help you as a marketing consultant for your physical therapy practice, get in touch! I’d love to get to know you, learn about your business, and how I can help you grow in the digital world!
You can check out my website (linked here) to learn more about me and the services I offer.
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