The Business of Allied Health

Barry Nguyen
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Running an allied health clinic is a business — but most of the real lessons are never shared publicly. Behind every clinic are decisions about hiring, pricing, growth, and risk. This series captures honest, unscripted conversations with practitioners actually running clinics — from first-time owners to multi-site operators. No scripts. No polished talking points. Just what it’s really like. This series is hosted and supported by CliniScribe AI.

  1. 2d ago

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 16: Ben Herde

    Do you need a massive loan and a fancy fit-out to start a successful private practice? Not at all. In Episode 16 of The Business of Allied Health, I sit down with Ben Herde, founder of Grand Slam Physio. Ben and his wife Belinda initially built their clinic as a "lean startup" on the mezzanine floor of an indoor tennis center. Their goal? To create a business that supported their lifestyle of traveling on the professional tennis circuit (including the WTA and 2016 Rio Olympics). Today, they run highly successful, purpose-built clinics in the Geelong and Torquay region. We unpack exactly how they transitioned from a humble space into a thriving regional business. We dive deep into: * The Lean Startup – How starting with cheap rent and a minimal setup allowed them to take calculated risks early on. * Spousal Co-Founders – The strict "25-minute commute" boundary they use to separate the business from their marriage and family life. * Niche Domination – How leaning into their deep expertise in tennis physiotherapy drove massive organic growth. * Referrer Management – The simple, consistent communication strategies that built their local network (and how they use CliniScribe AI to automate it). * The "P" Word – Why profit isn't a dirty word in healthcare, and how it enables better patient care, facility upgrades, and staff retention. If you’re a clinic owner looking to build a business that serves your lifestyle rather than consuming it, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Also streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Supported by CliniScribe AI **Timestamps:** [00:00:00] Introduction & the impact of mentorship [00:00:40] The accidental origins of Grand Slam Physio [00:01:34] Rules for running a business with your spouse [00:02:55] Leveraging a specific niche (Tennis) to grow organically [00:03:39] The lean startup approach: Starting on a mezzanine floor [00:04:24] Overcoming early growth challenges and local competition [00:05:29] "Clinical excellence drives commercial success" & managing referrers [00:07:12] Why profit is the ultimate enabler in healthcare [00:08:08] The most important lesson for new clinic owners

    9 min

  2. Jun 27

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 15: Mark Merolli

    Supported by CliniScribe AIIn this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we sit down with Professor Mark Merolli, an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, physiotherapist, and digital health pioneer. Mark shares his unique "polymath" career journey, starting as a traditional sports physiotherapist before a pivotal stint in London during the Global Financial Crisis exposed him to the broader worlds of technology, finance, and management consulting. Recognizing the untapped potential of tech in healthcare early on, he pivoted to pursue a PhD in health informatics long before "digital health" became an industry buzzword.The discussion unpacks how allied health professionals can build diverse, non-traditional careers that prevent clinical burnout and foster continuous growth. Mark details his hands-on education in practice management as a clinic director, his return to academia, and his patient, 18-year strategy to launch a micro-clinic inside his local gym. He also shares his insights on balancing multiple ventures—from running a clinic and mentoring his first hire, to developing a venture-funded wearable health startup, to teaching the next generation of clinicians. For any clinic owner or practitioner looking to diversify their career, Mark's perspective on utilizing automation, planting long-term seeds, and learning from industries outside of healthcare is a masterclass in career design.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Professor Mark Merolli and his early career in sports physio02:22 - The "London Story": Networking outside of healthcare during the Global Financial Crisis03:55 - Pivoting to digital health and pursuing a PhD in health informatics05:19 - Learning practice management and business operations as a clinic director06:23 - Balancing academia, clinical practice, and a digital health startup07:18 - Planting the seed: The 18-year conversation to open a micro-clinic in a gym10:32 - Hiring strategies: Managing entrepreneurial clinicians vs. loyal team members12:56 - Mentorship and the value of informal networks in business14:00 - The "polymath" approach: Diversifying your career to avoid clinical burnout15:16 - Final words of wisdom: Embrace technology, automate systems, and feed your soul

    17 min

  3. Jun 19

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 14: Errol Lim

    Supported by CliniScribe AIIn this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we sit down with Errol Lim, Managing Director of BJC Health and a physiotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience. Errol shares his journey from focusing on sports physiotherapy to joining forces with his rheumatologist brother to build a 70-person multidisciplinary group across three Sydney locations. He pulls back the curtain on the realities of integrating medical specialists and allied health professionals, noting that merely placing different disciplines under one roof often amounts to "room rental" rather than genuine, connected care.The discussion explores the complex dynamics of clinical hierarchy, detailing how to build a collaborative culture where doctors and non-doctors operate as true colleagues. Errol dives into why team culture must precede clinical systems and why treating team engagement like an internal marketing campaign is critical for long-term buy-in. He shares hard-earned lessons on the importance of hiring slowly, tracking staff retention as a core metric, and why effective clinical governance requires profession-specific leadership. Finally, he unpacks the current economic pressures of practice ownership in 2026 and emphasizes why face-to-face, localized community networks are more vital than ever for practice owners across allied health, medical, and dental professions.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Errol Lim and the founding of BJC Health01:50 - The shift to a multidisciplinary rheumatology and allied health model03:05 - Family in business: Navigating dynamics with a medical specialist brother04:35 - Breaking down the hierarchy between doctors and non-doctors06:26 - The "room rental" trap vs. building genuine integrated care07:16 - Culture vs. Systems: What really drives clinical collaboration?08:32 - Treating team engagement like an internal marketing campaign11:48 - Key metrics: Why staff retention is just as vital as your P&L14:21 - Clinical governance: The need for profession-specific leadership15:53 - The economic reality of practice ownership and wage pressures in 202617:57 - The loneliness of the founder journey and the power of local networks

    21 min

  4. Jun 13

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 13: Randall Cooper

    Supported by CliniScribe AI In this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we sit down with Dr. Randall Cooper, a titled specialist sports physiotherapist and the founder of Premax and Learn.physio. Randall shares his unique origin story, explaining how a devastating double-blow of an ACL tear and Guillain-Barré syndrome at age 16 sparked his passion for healthcare and physiotherapy. He pulls back the curtain on his early career hustle, detailing what it takes to break into elite sports and his journey from working as a ski physio at Mount Buller to consulting for the Winter Olympics and the Hawthorn Football Club. The discussion explores the realities of transitioning from a high-level clinician to a successful entrepreneur. Randall discusses how identifying simple clinical pain points led to the creation of Premax, a globally recognized sports skincare brand, and the serendipitous birth of Learn.physio, an industry-leading e-learning platform. He also offers invaluable and slightly unconventional advice for clinicians: the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and allowing yourself to be scrutinized by peers to build unshakable clinical confidence and prevent career burnout. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Randall Cooper and his varied career path01:21 - The double rehab journey: How an ACL tear and Guillain-Barré syndrome inspired his career03:56 - Early career hustle: Juggling multiple roles and 80-hour work weeks07:18 - Breaking into elite sports: From Mount Buller to the Winter Olympics10:14 - The reality of elite sports: Balancing networking with clinical competence11:42 - The entrepreneurial itch: Founding Premax to solve a clear clinical pain point16:23 - Scaling up: Securing investment and taking Premax to a global market17:47 - The serendipitous origins and explosive growth of Learn.physio21:32 - Unpopular advice: Why being scrutinized is the key to clinical excellence and avoiding burnout24:32 - The role of e-learning and multimodal CPD for practice owners

    26 min

  5. Jun 5

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 12: Bevan Colless

    Supported by CliniScribe AI In this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we sit down with Bevan Colless, an expert physiotherapist and the founder of Asia Physio. Bevan shares his incredible journey of taking a leap of faith to open his first clinic in a tiny 23sqm Tokyo apartment in 2002, and subsequently scaling it into a powerhouse international network of 13 clinics across Japan and Singapore. He pulls back the curtain on the unique challenges of establishing seasonal clinics in high-demand ski resorts like Niseko and Hakuba, and what it takes to manage cross-border operations alongside a global team of clinicians. The discussion explores the logistics of building a highly specialized multinational business and the importance of maintaining "Informal Excellence" to meet the demanding expectations of expat and traveling patients. Bevan also dives into his deep clinical passion for knee injury management, specifically the evolution of ACL rehabilitation and the Cross Bracing Protocol. He offers invaluable perspective on how his background as an elite Ironman triathlete translates into a high-performance business mindset, sharing actionable advice for practice owners looking to expand beyond their local geographic footprint. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Bevan Colless and the origins of Asia Physio 01:20 - Taking the leap: From a Tokyo apartment to an international network 03:15 - Expanding to the snow: The strategic move into Japanese ski resorts 04:45 - Logistical hurdles: Managing cross-border operations and seasonal scaling 06:10 - Core values: Delivering "Informal Excellence" for high-expectation patients 07:30 - The clinical niche: Why specialising in complex knee and ACL management drives the business 08:50 - The athlete mindset: Translating Ironman triathlon discipline to clinic ownership 10:15 - Recruitment challenges: Attracting top clinical talent to remote global locations 11:30 - Future expansions and final takeaways for scaling allied health businesses

    26 min

  6. May 30

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 11: Jack O'Brien

    Supported by CliniScribe AI In this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we are joined by Jack O'Brien, a physiotherapist, former multi-site clinic owner, and one of the foundational leaders at Clinic Mastery. Jack shares his rapid progression from a new graduate to acquiring his first practice just two years out of university, and subsequently scaling the business from a single location to five clinics and a team of 25. He pulls back the curtain on the challenges of being a young, ambitious clinic owner, including navigating leadership dynamics with more experienced clinicians and the early adoption of video content marketing to build deep community trust. The discussion explores the essential operational metrics that actually matter—specifically, why viewing rebooking and cancellation rates in isolation is a mistake. Jack dives into the clinical importance of robust treatment planning, moving patients beyond acute symptom management into lifelong optimization, and the necessity of effectively communicating these plans so patients remain engaged with their care rather than seeking answers elsewhere. He also offers a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship, emphasizing that business is a learnable skill rather than an innate talent, and shares his current mission of helping owners build "clinics for good" across allied health, medical, and dental professions. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Jack O'Brien and his early journey 01:15 - Taking the leap: Buying a practice and scaling to five locations 03:32 - Leadership challenges: Navigating ownership as a young clinician 05:19 - The power of video content and brand building 06:20 - Key metrics: Why combining rebooking and cancellation rates matters 07:17 - Having a vision for care: Lifelong physical optimization 08:06 - Closing the gap: Communicating treatment plans to patients 09:26 - The truth about entrepreneurship: Business is a learnable skill 10:25 - Building "clinics for good" and the mission behind Clinic Mastery 11:21 - Independent practice vs. franchises: Finding the right support

    13 min

  7. May 22

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 10: Tim Dettmann

    Supported by CliniScribe AI In this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we are joined by Tim Dettmann, a physiotherapist and the former Chief Marketing Officer of Kieser Australia. Renowned for its highly structured, data-driven integration of physiotherapy and targeted strength training, Kieser has grown into one of the country's most successful and recognizable allied health networks. Tim shares his journey from hands-on clinician to executive leader, pulling back the curtain on what it takes to scale an evidence-based clinical model while maintaining exceptional quality control. The discussion explores the core philosophy behind the Kieser method, the power of objective data in proving patient outcomes, and how to build a deeply engaged team culture that drives long-term staff retention. Tim dives into the operational mechanics of running a multi-site network, the transition from acute symptom management to long-term physical conditioning, and why strength training is a fundamental pillar of modern healthcare. He also offers practical insights for clinic owners looking to systematize their operations without compromising clinical integrity. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Tim Dettmann and the evolution of Kieser Australia 01:15 - From clinician to CMO: Navigating the shift to corporate and executive leadership 04:30 - The Kieser blueprint: Integrating physiotherapy with isolated resistance training 07:45 - Driven by data: Using objective clinical metrics to validate patient progress 11:10 - Scaling standard operating procedures (SOPs) across a rapidly expanding network 14:40 - Attracting and retaining talent: Creating clear professional pathways for clinicians 18:15 - The long game: Moving patients from acute rehabilitation to lifelong strength and conditioning 21:55 - Overcoming the operational friction and growing pains of scaling a healthcare brand 25:20 - The intersection of digital health, exercise medicine, and preventive care 28:50 - Final thoughts and key advice for ambitious allied health business owners

    28 min

  8. May 15

    The Business of Allied Health - Episode 9: James Schomburgk

    Supported by CliniScribe AI In this episode of the Business of Allied Health series, we are joined by James Schomburgk, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience. As the co-owner of "The Second Visit" and a long-time leader within the South Australian physiotherapy community, James has transitioned from a practice owner to a dedicated clinical mentor. This conversation provides a deep dive into the philosophy behind successful treatment planning and the metrics that truly define a thriving practice. The discussion explores why "The Second Visit" is a critical turning point for patient retention and how to shift away from session-by-session management toward optimal health outcomes. James shares his insights on staff retention as a strategic pillar, the nuances of patient "silent discharge," and why offering the "best available treatment plan" is a professional obligation. He also reflects on his time with the Back in Motion Health Group and offers advice for junior clinicians navigating the early years of private practice. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to James Schomburgk and his 30-year journey in physiotherapy 01:03 - The origin story: From a cricket injury to choosing physiotherapy over medicine 03:34 - Transitioning to private practice and the debate on hospital vs. clinic beginnings 06:34 - Scaling a practice: Lessons learned from starting scratch to managing multiple sites 07:43 - Joining the Back in Motion Health Group and the influence of Jason Smith 08:46 - The pitfalls of expanding too early: Making your first practice "bulletproof" 13:26 - Essential business metrics: Why staff retention is the ultimate strategic health check 14:15 - Understanding "Early Self-Discharge" (ESD) and the reality of silent patient ghosting 18:03 - The Therapeutic Alliance: Nipping dissatisfaction in the bud within the clinic walls 21:10 - The "PVA" (Patient Visit Average) debate: A clinical measure of your model of care 24:08 - Treatment Planning: Why patients deserve the best available plan, not the "third best" 27:40 - Clinical Mentoring: How "The Second Visit" supports teams in improving patient outcomes

    29 min
See All (16)

About

Running an allied health clinic is a business — but most of the real lessons are never shared publicly. Behind every clinic are decisions about hiring, pricing, growth, and risk. This series captures honest, unscripted conversations with practitioners actually running clinics — from first-time owners to multi-site operators. No scripts. No polished talking points. Just what it’s really like. This series is hosted and supported by CliniScribe AI.

Information

You Might Also Like