A hands-on approach

By Bridget Brady
MICHELLE Crowther was the receptionist, cleaner and physio all rolled into one when she started her business in Cranbourne four years ago.
Now, the 29-year-old has 13 staff members on the books at Be Your Best Physiotherapy, and her business initiatives have earned her a nomination in the 2010 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards.
“It was pretty overwhelming to start with, but I slowly built it up and realised I couldn’t do it all,” Ms Crowther said.
As well as having a special focus on women’s health, the unique aspect of Ms Crowther’s business is the specialised exercise classes that patients and others are able to access to improve their conditions.
Ms Crowther is also a fitness instructor, and said the classes were great motivation for patients who were able to perform exercises in front of experts so they knew they were on the right track.
The number of classes has more than tripled in two years, with 35 held each week.
One of the business ideas Ms Crowther started up is the PREP initiative. Ms Crowther described it as a program for people who know they should be exercising, but were too afraid or had an injury, or recovering from surgery.
“They can join group classes and everyone is in the same boat achieving the same thing,” she said.
“It’s a good way for them to get their foot in the door.”
Ms Crowther also set up a Target 22 campaign with her staff, encouraging them to secure 22 clients a day. When this was achieved she shouted them a night out, and the target is now 30.
Ms Crowther went to school in Cranbourne and still lives in the town, as well as volunteering time at a local football club.
She is nominated for the Young Business Women’s Award category, which will take place on 1 October.