Is this what fulfilment looks like?

The end of a journey: Part 2 of selling a Physiotherapy Practice

As my mind turns to new adventures on foreign soils, I committed to finishing my story about selling our physio practice. So here it is.

When I last left you, it was Christmas 2022. We had walked out of the practice after another very tough year. See the last blog about what happened and what led us to decline a good financial offer. Selling a Physiotherapy Practice

My year begins on the 4th of January, 2023. As I enter the building, I meet a colleague who beams at me, wishing me a “Happy New Year”. She looked excited, happy and relaxed, the antithesis of my feelings. The break had done little to refresh me or settle my anxiety. So Stuck.

The signs kept coming. One of my employees approached me on day two, bravely letting me know they had not felt supported and that the “feeling” within the practice was not a happy place. I had no words. I knew it was true, and I knew why. I was like a fish gasping for water. I apologised, but I could not genuinely offer any reassurance. I was sad and felt guilty. Even our people who have always been so important to me were now evidently very impacted.

There was nothing for it. We could not keep faking it. Our lease was drawing near to renewal, and being the largest financial commitment, the time needed to be now. We decided to close the doors.

The ramifications of this decision were wide-reaching and anxiety-provoking, impacting our valued employees, clients and referrers. The next few days were the hardest of my time as a business owner. There were many tears.

Presenting our staff with letters of severance with words that really could not explain or convey a raft of emotion was hard. We were committed to helping them find new jobs. Knowing that they would find something fairly easily was reassuring. We would give them excellent references, and we had many contacts. Then to the patients- so hard. Many had been part of our community for years. We started to tell them and were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness. We were committed to finding options for their ongoing needs in a place where they would be supported. It felt like a big job but one that needed to be done.

AND THEN…….Left of field: “Is it too late?”. What????

No, it is not too late!

One of our employees had done a lot of soul-searching about what the closure would mean to a place they cared about. They had always aligned with Active Recovery's philosophy and values. They had spoken to their partner and were interested in knowing more. Interestingly, they were not one of the people we approached about buying initially, as we felt this would scare them off as an employee.

So begins another period of negotiation. The push/ pull can be very difficult. There will always be tension regardless of who is involved. The important thing was that we were ultimately after the same outcome. For me, it was about having someone who would honour the legacy and values of Active Recovery and care for the people. I knew that this could be combined with running a profitable business. This was the foundation of everything that Active Recovery had been. So there it is! Selling to a corporate was probably never going to work for me. I care too much.

I have heard a lot of rhetoric from various people about needing to recognise my asset. I started a business with a partner in 2004. We both invested $10,000. Even at the time, that was not a lot of money. If this venture did not work out, we would close the doors and get on with our lives. We did not spend big on fit-outs or the best technology. We did, however, employ the “best people”. The people who would help us to work towards our vision. I am infinitely grateful to everyone who has walked through the doors as an employee. They have given so much of themselves. Sometimes things did not “work out”, but even then I learned.

In the 20 years since, there have been many wonderful moments and memories. I have made personal and professional friendships that will last my lifetime. I have learned much more than a book or a learning institution could ever give me. My family has received benefits from a successful business helping our children to have the best education; holidays; opportunities to build skills by working in the practice, and financial security. Beyond all of that, we created something special. A place where people who had injuries, struggling with their mobility, quality of life, and independence would come, and we would help them. A caring place where our Purpose was clear. No amount of money in the sale of the business could replace this. I have been so fortunate and am extremely grateful for it all!

Yes, there was an end, or maybe it’s a beginning. It is the beginning of an opportunity for new owners who will bring energy, ideas, innovation and spirit to a community that deserves it.

For me, it is a time for reflection, gratitude and acknowledgement of a job well done. It is about remembering the people who have enriched my life by passing through mine. It is now about space and time. And a long overdue trip to France. It is surely from Ambition to Fulfillment….

I will consider the future of this blog when I return in early November. I am unsure if I have much more to contribute or whether my energy and life will take a different turn.

Thanks for reading

Dianna Howell (July 2023)