FUNctional Therapy Inc. Gains Financial Acumen and Community Support with AWE Programming
● Hired 16 staff in expanded service areas outside of physical therapy since starting AWE’s Bold Leadership program in 2022
● Opened 6,200 square-foot state-of-the-art facility in February 2023
● Saved approximately 40 hours per month previously spent on financial administration due to the implementation of new technology
● Gained greater confidence in managing financial aspects of the business
“I plan to continue to leverage AWE’s network. It's not just the business knowledge, but it's that higher level thinking that makes their programs so incredible.”
- Dr. Melanie Harris, Physical Therapist and CEO of FUNctional Therapy Inc.
Meet Dr. Melanie Harris
Dr. Melanie Harris is a physical therapist and the CEO of FUNctional Therapy Inc., a multidisciplinary healthcare facility that has seen remarkable growth over the past 9 years. Dr. Harris's dedication to providing comprehensive care, as well as her innovative approach to healthcare, have set a new standard in therapeutic services.
Along her journey, Dr. Harris has been an active participant in the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) community, through the Bold Leadership program and later by sharing her success story with CBC Edmonton.
When she founded FUNctional Therapy Inc. in 2015, Dr. Melanie Harris set out to revolutionize child-focused physical therapy through a multidisciplinary approach. What she didn’t foresee was how far her business could expand to serve more people with varying needs.
Faced with the challenges of transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur and scaling her business, Harris sought the expertise of AWE. Through AWE's programming, she gained critical insight into strategic planning, technology integration, and financial management.
FUNctional Therapy Inc. has now evolved from a solo pediatric physical therapy consultancy to a practice employing 19 staff members and approximately 20 subcontractors. The company has also realized a significant achievement of opening a state-of-the-art 6,200-square foot facility in Saint Albert.
Mastering the Business of Care
Built on the principle of providing holistic and collaborative care, FUNctional Therapy Inc. began expanding its services beyond physical therapy starting in 2022. The goal was to offer occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and more. However, the transition from a clinician-focused approach to a business-oriented model presented unique challenges that spurred Dr. Harris to seek support.
Merging Clinical Expertise with Operational Acumen
Dr. Harris quickly realized she needed support to navigate her new role as CEO. She was already an expert in physical therapy, but now she faced the daunting task of morphing into an entrepreneur and tackling financial management, marketing, and operations—areas outside of her clinical expertise.
It was a balancing act to maintain high-quality patient care while managing a growing team and the development of a new facility. The responsibility of her employees' livelihoods and the future of FUNctional Therapy put pressure on Dr. Harris to develop both business acumen and a support network.
“Our business was growing in ways we didn't initially anticipate. When our company decided to invest in a space and grow our team, we were still operating a lot like clinicians because that's who we are. We needed to find a way to think from an entrepreneurial perspective,” Dr. Harris says.
The expansion also highlighted a need for new technology to support the practice’s growing scope of services. Dr. Harris was navigating uncharted territory, striving to modernize operations while ensuring that the tech she chose would align with the company's needs and values.
“We manage confidential information, reports, and files,” she says. “We needed to make sure our technology met certain parameters.”
Amid these operational and technological challenges, the rapid growth of FUNctional Therapy threatened to stretch resources and potentially dilute the personalized service that was its trademark. Dr. Harris started looking for support that would help her ensure FUNctional Therapy’s expansion and core value of exceptional patient care could thrive together.
Seeking Technical Guidance and Leadership Development
The search for a solution led Dr. Harris to Alberta Women Entrepreneurs. She was drawn to the Bold Leadership (renamed Digital Edge) program for its blend of leadership development with practical business skills. This program, along with Strategic Edge, seemed tailor-made for Dr. Harris’ situation, offering not only technical solutions but also personal growth.
“The fact that [AWE’s programs] were such an intense and accessible offering was great. That was what I was looking for—something that could take me to the next level in my business,” Dr. Harris says.
The prospect of joining a network of women-identifying entrepreneurs facing similar challenges to hers was also appealing to Dr. Harris.
“I was excited to connect with women across the province and get support from the network, coaches, and teachers,” she says.
An Expert Clinician with Strong Leadership and Vision
Since taking AWE’s programs, Dr. Harris has enhanced her leadership skills, implemented technology solutions, and mastered financial planning. She now has the knowledge and confidence to make strategic decisions, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of FUNctional Therapy Inc.
“There were so many successes. The big one, of course, is around the technology piece. We had the support of Angus Gastle, one of the coaches with AWE, and he was beyond amazing,” she says.
In addition, Dr. Harris's leadership and dedication to creating a welcoming, accessible space for families led to the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in Saint Albert in February 2023.
Strategically Applied Technology for a Better Patient Experience
Dr. Harris identified and adopted cutting-edge digital solutions that streamlined administrative processes, secured client data, and facilitated easier communication within her multi-disciplinary team.
“[AWE] helped us get the CDAP Grant from the federal government which gave us $15,000 to support our technology rollout,” Dr. Harris says.
This technological transformation didn’t just improve operational efficiency within the practice. It also allowed the team to focus more on patient care, significantly enhancing the overall quality of service.
Becoming a Leader Worth Following
Dr. Harris gained the tools to inspire and manage her growing team effectively, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. She learned to delegate responsibilities strategically, which freed up her time to focus on high-level decision-making and planning.
“I really appreciated that [AWE] they spoke about work-life balance and mental health, and acknowledged how challenging it can be to be an entrepreneur,” she says. “I love the fact that they put that on their list of things all of us should be considering, and we certainly are as we grow our business.”
This shift in leadership approach has contributed to a more cohesive and motivated team at FUNctional Therapy Inc. It has also directly influenced the company's positive work environment, and its ability to attract and retain top talent.
Financial Stewardship on a New Level
Finally, the financial planning and management strategies Dr. Harris gained through AWE's programs supported her in navigating the financial aspects of running a larger business. She gained insights into cash flow management, budgeting, and financial forecasting, which were crucial for sustaining growth and exploring new opportunities for expansion.
“AWE has given me a real foundation of knowledge, as well as a network of people I can access for support,” she says.
Armed with a deeper understanding of financial metrics and key performance indicators, Dr. Harris can now make more informed decisions that ensure the financial health of FUNctional Therapy Inc. This has set the stage for continued success and stability.
What’s Next for FUNctional Therapy Inc.?
Looking forward, Dr. Harris plans to refine and optimize FUNctional Therapy's offerings, focusing on efficiency and excellence in service delivery. With a significant contract on the horizon, the company is poised for further expansion.
Dr. Harris remains committed to her partnership with AWE, valuing the ongoing support and networking opportunities the organization provides. Through strategic focus and continued innovation, FUNctional Therapy Inc. is set to redefine therapeutic care.
In search of accessible business coaching for women entrepreneurs? Explore AWE’s Digital Edge program.