Finding Your Creative Spark Without Losing Your Sanity
As a clinic owner, you are naturally driven, ambitious, and likely have a notebook full of ideas that could change the lives of your patients. Whether you are a physiotherapist, osteopath, podiatrist, or sports therapist, there often comes a point where the four walls of the treatment room start to feel a little restrictive. You begin to wonder if there is more you could offer, perhaps a digital programme, a specific product, or a new service that helps people beyond your immediate local area.
However, there is a significant risk that often goes unspoken in the world of entrepreneurship: the risk of 'shiny object syndrome' leading directly to burnout. Many clinic owners attempt to launch a side hustle before their core business is truly stable, resulting in a fractured focus and a decline in the quality of their clinical care.
In a recent episode of the Treat Your Business podcast, I sat down with Anna Maskell from Animated Physio. Anna has successfully navigated this journey, moving from running her clinic solo to developing a thriving side hustle designing high-quality Pilates mats. Her story is a masterclass in how to diversify your income streams with strategy, patience, and a relentless focus on quality.
The Foundation Must Be Solid: How Much Should a Clinic Owner Treat?
One of the most vital lessons Anna shares is the importance of timing. It is incredibly tempting to jump into a new project when your current business feels a little stagnant or, conversely, when you are riding a wave of excitement. However, a side hustle should never be a distraction from a failing core business.
A common question that arises when planning for growth is: how much should a clinic owner treat before they can realistically look at other ventures? If you are currently struggling to manage your diary, if your clinic admin is in disarray, or if you are already working 50 to 60 hours a week just to keep the doors open, now is not the time to launch a product line. You must first prioritise the health of your primary business and ensure you aren't stuck in the 'time-for-money' trap.
This means having systems in place, perhaps using practice management software like Nookal to streamline your operations, and ensuring your team is well-managed. Ideally, you should be looking to reduce your clinical hours to create 'white space' in your diary. Anna did not start her Pilates mat business on day one. She built her reputation as a physio and Pilates instructor first, carefully balancing her clinical load until she had a strong foundation before she allowed her attention to shift toward product development.
First Impressions and the Power of Premium Branding
In the UK healthcare market, competition is fierce. When a client walks into your clinic, they are making a subconscious assessment of your expertise based on their surroundings within the first 10 to 30 seconds. This is where Anna’s philosophy on equipment comes into play.
She recognised that the equipment she used in her classes spoke volumes about her brand. If you are positioning yourself as a premium service provider but your mats are thin, peeling, or sliding across the floor, there is a disconnect in your branding. Investing in high-quality equipment shows your clients that you care about their experience and their safety.
When Anna could not find a mat that met her professional standards, she decided to create her own. This is a classic example of identifying a problem within your own clinical practice and creating a solution that others would be willing to pay for. Your side hustle should ideally be an extension of your expertise, not a completely unrelated venture that requires you to learn an entirely new industry from scratch.
Removing Barriers to Movement
As health professionals, our ultimate goal is to get people moving and keep them moving. Anna’s journey into product design was fuelled by the desire to remove barriers. A poor-quality mat that lacks grip can be a genuine barrier for a client trying to master a complex Pilates move. By creating a product that felt good, looked beautiful, and functioned perfectly, she made it easier for her clients to engage with their exercise programmes.
When considering a side hustle and evaluating how much should a clinic owner treat to remain effective, ask yourself:
- Does this solve a genuine problem for my ideal client?
- Does it make their journey toward health easier or more enjoyable?
- Does it reinforce the professional advice I give them in the treatment room?
If the answer to these questions is yes, you are likely on the right track toward a sustainable revenue stream.
Practical Steps to Starting Your Side Hustle
If you feel that the timing is right and your clinic is stable enough to support your new idea, here are several practical steps to ensure you do not lose your mind in the process.
1. Market Research and Validation
Do not invest thousands of pounds into a product or service without proof that people want it. Anna’s mats grew out of a need she saw in her own classes. Talk to your patients, run a small pilot programme, or take pre-orders before you go into full production. This minimises your financial risk and ensures there is a market for your idea.
2. Protect Your Time
One of the biggest mistakes clinic owners make is trying to fit side-hustle work into the 'gaps' in their day. These gaps are often when you should be eating, resting, or catching up on notes. Instead, you must be disciplined with your diary. When deciding how much should a clinic owner treat, you must factor in designated 'CEO time' for your new project. Block out specific hours in your week that are dedicated solely to your side hustle. If you cannot find at least 3 to 5 hours a week where you are not exhausted, you may need to wait.
3. Seek Expert Support
Anna did not try to become a manufacturing expert overnight. She sought help, researched suppliers, and learned from her mistakes. Similarly, if your side hustle requires digital marketing or complex patient tracking, consider partnering with experts like Klatch to ensure your marketing spend delivers a real return on investment. You do not have to do everything yourself.
4. Focus on Quality Over Speed
It is better to launch a high-quality product late than a mediocre product early. Your reputation as a healthcare professional is your most valuable asset. If you release a sub-par product or a poorly designed digital course, it can damage the trust you have built with your clinical patients. Take the time to get the details right.
Persistence and the Long Game
Success in business, whether it is your main clinic or a side project, rarely happens overnight. Anna’s journey involved overcoming manufacturing challenges, managing logistics, and constantly refining her vision. It requires a level of persistence that many people simply do not have.
However, the rewards of a successful side hustle are significant. Not only does it provide an additional revenue stream that is not tied to your clinical hours, but it also provides a creative outlet that can prevent the stagnation often felt after years of clinical practice.
Conclusion
Creating a side hustle is a fantastic way to grow your brand and reach more people, but it must be done with intention. By ensuring your core business is solid, determining exactly how much should a clinic owner treat to maintain sanity, and focusing on high-quality solutions, you can build something remarkable without sacrificing your clinical standards.
Anna Maskell’s story is proof that with the right mindset and a focus on quality, UK clinic owners can expand their horizons and create a business that serves them just as much as they serve their patients.
To hear the full conversation and dive deeper into Anna's strategy for building her Pilates mat empire, listen to the full episode of the Treat Your Business podcast.
Listen to the full episode here: S3 EP10 Creating a Side Hustle Without Losing Your Mind
