MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND THE BUSINESS …
Your name? Rachel Canning
Your business name? Physio-Life
How long have you been in business? Over 20 years! I qualified in 1991
What do you love most about your job? Helping patients achieve their goals & improve their quality of life often after a life changing disability
Your claim to fame? I was Margaret Tebbit’s Physio (she suffered a spinal cord injury in the Brighton bomb) for 3 weeks during a trip to the US with her & her husband Norman Tebbit (Lord & Lady Tebbit!)
Your first childhood memory? Sitting on my grandad’s lap when I was 4 after he came out of hospital after having a stroke
How long have you been a member of WIBN and why did you join? 2.5 years – I was encouraged by Sara Oliver (previously of Posy Palace) who told me how fabulous it was. Plus I wanted to meet likeminded ladies enthusiastic about their business
Most frightening film and why? Try not to watch scary films – I’m a wimp! More of a chick flick kind of girl!
What sort of training did you have before going into this business? Studied Physiotherapy for 3 years at Liverpool School of Physiotherapy – which is now part of Liverpool University
What advice would you give someone who wants to set up their own business? Be patient and stay focussed on your dream
The one business you couldn’t possibly live without? TickThatTask – Carolyn Phillips has made my life so much easier thanks to her amazing spread sheets and fabulous web copy writing – she has saved me so much time!
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? Rachel Weisz – can I have her husband too :)
What is the last book you read? Chimp Paradox
What is the best thing that someone has said about you and your business? That I manage to combine persistence and positiveness with a sympathetic manner and extreme sensitivity to disability – bought a tear to my eye!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing – what one thing would you do differently? Take things more slowly – rather than having to have everything done NOW!
How would you describe your business in three words? Professional, motivational, fun
What were you hoping we’d ask you, but didn’t? About my family – I have an amazing husband & the most gorgeous 16 year old twins
How have things changed for your business over the past few years? I have expanded – I started out just seeing patients at home & renting a room here & there. Then I moved to a one roomed premises – now I have 2 rooms AND a reception – it feels so grown up!!
What is the greatest challenge in running a business? Finding a healthy work v life balance – it is so tough & doesn’t come easily to me
What are your plans for the future? Have a lovely team of Physio’s come & work with me to continue the growth of Physio-Life & hopefully enable me to have a 3-4 day working week! One day!
What’s the best thing about being a member of WIBN? So many fabulous, inspirational ladies
Rachel is a specialist neurological physiotherapy, vestibular rehabilitation and respiratory or pulmonary rehabilitation - you can find her at http://www.physio-life.co.uk/
