EPISODE 63: From Clinician to CEO: How I Built a Sports Physical Therapy Business (and What I’d Do Differently)

From Clinician to CEO: Why Technical Skill Wasn’t Enough

I always wanted to start my own business. From the time I was in school, I knew that ownership would one day be the goal. I’ve never been great at taking direction — I mean, I will, but I mostly like to do things my way. I’m not afraid to take risks, and I enjoy figuring things out on my own.

Early in my career as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist, I realized I wanted to improve the way care was delivered. I worked for some incredible organizations that did the very best they could within the private insurance model, alongside excellent clinicians. Still, I knew I wanted more — more time with my patients, the ability to deliver truly individualized care, the freedom to continue learning new skills, and the opportunity to earn a sustainable income.

Beyond that, I wanted to build something that would eventually allow me to spend more time with my family. I wanted to be present for my daughter’s school events and activities as she grew up. I didn’t just want a career — I wanted a life that felt aligned.

Unfortunately, physical therapy school did not prepare me for how to open or run a business. It gave me the foundational skills to help injured people and those struggling with movement. My clinical experiences sharpened those skills and left me confident in my ability to treat nearly any patient who walked through the door. But being a CEO — truly running a business — required a completely different skill set. I quickly realized that if ownership was the goal, I would need to seek out those skills on my own.

The Moment I Realized Physical Therapy School Didn’t Prepare Me for Business

After four years in practice across orthopedic, neurologic, and sports settings, I applied for a leadership role as a Director of Rehabilitation. I transitioned into the skilled nursing setting, which offered exposure to managing people, staffing, scheduling, and working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

That role accelerated my growth quickly. I moved from Director to Regional Director, overseeing multiple locations, and eventually took responsibility for the entire Southern California region, later adding the Central Valley. Six years later, I found myself overseeing more than twelve locations across California.

This experience shaped me immensely. I traveled often to our Northern California corporate office and worked alongside outstanding leaders, recruiters, and staff. I hired many people, let some go (those were the sleepless nights), and trained leaders who have since gone on to direct PT programs, lead in social media, or continue giving their blood, sweat, and tears to patient care.

In my final year at that organization, I realized I had most of the skills needed to step out on my own. At the same time, my daughter was entering high school, and I knew I could finally commit the time and energy required to start a business.

Taking the Leap Into Ownership

In 2016, 11years into being a Physical Therapist, I began searching for resources on how to start a physical therapy practice. I bought the only book I could find and spent hours searching online. The book helped me understand the major pieces and prepared me mentally, but I wanted more guidance.

That’s when I came across Dr. Aaron LeBauer’s cash-based physical therapy program. That program was the catalyst. It gave me the structure, confidence, and momentum to move forward. With each module, I felt closer to opening my doors. After six months of working one module at a time, I completed the program, searched for a location and signed a lease for a single office inside a wellness center. That was the beginning of Physical Therapy San Pedro.

The Early Challenges of Owning a Sports Physical Therapy Practice

My first year in business was the least stressful — and honestly, the most fun. I was a solo practitioner, treating patients on my terms, giving them the time they deserved, and practicing the way I believed was right.

That year wasn’t without challenges. The biggest one was simply getting patients into the door. Every new business must learn how to market itself and become visible in the community. I also had to determine my niche and decide where to focus my time and energy.

Branding became another early challenge. I started out as Dr. Ja’nae Brown, PT, DPT, but I knew the business needed its own identity. With help from my husband — a creative — we developed a logo and brand that represented movement, hard work, and love. The result became the foundation of Physical Therapy San Pedro and our guiding principle: Move Well <=> Perform Well.

The Biggest Mistakes I Made Building My PT Practice

Scaling a small business is one of the hardest parts of ownership. Within the first two years, I realized I needed help. If I wanted time off, I couldn’t be the sole provider. But hiring also meant added expense — and managing people.

One of my biggest early mistakes was not having the right people in the right roles. In small businesses, people often advance based on loyalty or time served. But some qualities can’t be taught: leadership, trust, and integrity. I placed pressure on team members to execute at a leadership level before they were ready. That was on me. I also wore far too many hats — CEO, Clinic Director, Clinic Manager, Clinical Education Coordinator, Event Coordinator — all at once. It took me too long to accept that I couldn’t do everything alone. Delegation and intentional leadership hires became non-negotiable as the business grew. Non-negotiable!

What Actually Worked Better Than I Expected

Letting go.

Over time, I began releasing responsibilities one by one. When billing became overwhelming, I hired a billing company. When payroll became too much, I outsourced it. When we outgrew our space, we moved. When marketing exceeded my bandwidth, I hired help.

However- all of this came with increased expenses — and stress.

In 2021, I took a solo birthday trip to reset. I was overwhelmed and searching for clarity. On the plane, I prayed for wisdom and guidance. Against my usual nature, I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me. She was a business consultant — a former CEO with deep expertise in budgeting and financials. That chance encounter changed everything. She became my consultant, sounding board, and guide. I truly believe every business owner needs a trusted consultant.

How Leadership Changed When I Became a Business Owner

Leading a business is like leading a family. It’s personal. No one will ever care about it the way you do.

I had to learn not to take everything personally — employee mistakes, resignations, setbacks. Often, those moments weren’t about me; they were about where someone else was in their journey.

Still, that lesson was hard-earned. Ownership requires grace, forgiveness, and resilience — even when it hurts.

Balancing Patient Care, Staff, and the Business

My passion has always been people. I love patient care. There have been seasons where I had to reduce or step away from treating entirely because it was what the business needed.

But I’ve always told my team: "to be a good leader, I need to work with patients. That’s where my joy is."

I don’t love managing people — it’s complex and stressful — but I do it because I care deeply about creating a workplace where people can thrive. I’ve learned to sacrifice personally so the business — and the team — can succeed.

What I’m Doing Differently Going Into 2026

As we move into 2026, I’m making intentional changes. I’m scaling back certain expenses, including taking social media marketing back in-house to reconnect with authenticity.

I plan to deepen community involvement — especially with youth sports and local organizations — and continue strengthening relationships with downtown businesses. I’m also restructuring our Strength & Conditioning program. I have struggled with the success of this program and it needs a makeover :) .

Advice I’d Give Any Physical Therapist Considering Ownership

If you’re a PT thinking about opening your own practice, here’s what I’d tell you:

• Grow with your business. Start small and add support as needed.

• Don’t be afraid to take risks — or fail.

• Own your mistakes and take accountability with your team.

• Give yourself and your team grace.

• Build your role around where you thrive and delegate the rest.

• Learn to say no (I’m still working on this).

• Don’t compare your journey to others — do it your way.

• Hire good people. They may disappoint you sometimes, but they will make a difference.

• Trust your instincts. You can always pivot.

• Take pride in the small wins. Make yourself proud.

Closing: Why I’m Sharing This Now

Next year will be my 10th year in business. Writing this reflection has reminded me that I have achieved a lot but it was not always easy. The transition from clinician to CEO didn’t happen overnight. It happened through mistakes, pivots, uncomfortable decisions, and moments of clarity that shaped both me and Physical Therapy San Pedro. Some lessons I learned the hard way. Others surprised me in the best possible way.

As we head into a new year, I wanted to share this story honestly — not as a highlight reel, but as a real look at what it takes to build a sports physical therapy business and sustain it long-term.

If you want to hear more about the decisions behind the business, the challenges I didn’t expect, and what I would do differently if I were starting today, I dive deeper into all of this in the podcast.

If you have been following a long with me, thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support and encouragement means everything.

If you are new the Physical Therapy San Pedro community, welcome! I hope you learn something new and are inspired.

If you’re in the San Pedro or Los Angeles area and looking for some help, we are a practice that reflects these values — individualized care, intentional programming, and long-term performance. We’d love to work with you at Physical Therapy San Pedro.

For those outside the area, we also offer telehealth sessions and online programs focused on ankle and knee pain, designed for athletes who want to keep progressing no matter where they’re located.

🎧 To hear more of the behind-the-scenes lessons, decisions, and shifts I discuss in this blog, listen to EPISODE 63: From Clinician to CEO: How I Built a Sports Physical Therapy Business (and What I’d Do Differently) available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

📲 Follow us on Instagram @physicaltherapysanpedro for ongoing education, leadership insight, and athlete-focused content.

Stay strong. Stay moving. And have an amazing 2026 year!

❤️ Dr. Ja’nae Brown