Catching Up With Dr. Aparna Kuvalekar, PT, DPT - Pelvicore

Welcome to Pelby biz podcast. I'm Dr. Kelly Alhui. I have grown and established brick and mortar practice in Northern Virginia called Ortho Pelvic Physical Therapy and also founded Pelvibiz, which is an online business consulting company that helps healthcare providers make more money and be healthy while doing it, especially in the pelvic health realm. So let's get into today's episode. Today I have a very special guest. I met this person at Pelvibiz 202024 event in San Diego and she was like, you know what? I think I want to start a business. So I wanted to bring her on today and let you guys hear her story and get a perspective of someone that's just starting out and the fears that come with it, the courage that it takes to do the thing and, and how to actually process it and work through it. So welcome, Apana Prana. If you want to go ahead and tell people who you are and who your company is, we would love to hear it.

Yeah. Hi, Kelly. Hi, everyone. So I'm Dr. Aparna Kuvilekar. I am a pelvic floor and orthophysical therapist and I have my. I just am starting out my, my own practice here in La Crecenta, California, focusing on pelvic floor and ortho.

Yes. That's amazing. That's so awesome. Okay, so let's start from the beginning because so many people are in your position and they want to know about you and what made you actually make the jump. Did you think about it for a while? Were you, you know, did you do a lot of research before you made a job? Like, what was that whole process of even just trying to get the business started?

Yeah, so I was going back and forth. I was a, I've been a PT for last now, 18 years now. But so I was going, I, I was also like practicing as outpatient orthopedic for, for first part of my career. And then, then when I started going into pelvic floor more, I was working in a clinic, like a local clinic in the area. And we, it was, it was an ortho clinic and they wanted me to, as I, I was the one who. The pelvic floor, pregnancy, postpartum, you know, all those patients. And she wanted, the owner wanted me to kind of like be the.

Be.

Be the clinic's only public floor. I was going to develop the clinic, that part of her clinic, but she, like, unfortunately she passed away and they ended up selling the clinic and then I was Then I really wanted to do pelvic floor. And then I was going back and forth. I tried something else after in another clinic, but I wasn't really getting what I want. Getting to do what I wanted to do. So I was in two minds. And then I came to know about Kelly and the Pelvibiz workshop. And then I was thinking about. At the same time, I was thinking about opening my own practice, but I was also thinking that I also work at the current clinic that I was in. But when I went to the Pelvibiz conference in San Diego, I was really inspired by Kelly and all the speakers, and I just decided to take the jump.

Wow. Wow. That's a story. I mean, the owner of the clinic passed away. I mean, that's crazy.

Yeah. Yeah. She was dealing, and she was not just a boss. She was a very good friend of mine, so that was hard. And she was really young too, so. Yeah. And they ended up selling it to a person like a franchise of clinic. So they were not. They're not practicing it, Practicing the clinic like she used to. It's changed, so.

Right. Yeah. When you go to a franchise, the. The clinic model can change. The vibe completely changes. And it's not that mom and pop kind of feel that you get from a smaller business. So it's completely different. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Okay. So when you were working for her, though, did you ever have thoughts of, you know, wow, I could. I could start a business because I feel like most of us, we don't get into this just like, you know, I've been practicing 15 years. You've been practicing for 18 years. Like, we don't get into this being like, yay, I'm going to be a business owner. You know, like, we never think that. We kind of just get pushed into it because it's something that over time, we end up seeing that, wow, if I work for someone else, there's only a certain level that I can get to when I work for someone else. Right?

Yes, true.

Yeah.

Even when I was working with her, I, you know, randomly, I would think about it and my husband would, like, say, make comments. He has a business background, so he would say, why don't you do, like, why don't you do this? And I'm like, you know, I just want to help people. I don't know. You know, that's how, like, like you said, we never go into thinking that I want to be a business owner. So. Yeah.

Yeah. Because to me, in my head, it was like, business owner. Oh, Negative. Those people are horrible. Those people don't like the people. You know, I always thought it was like, a bad thing.

Yeah, yeah. Same with me. But when I used to like this boss, my. My friend Christy. Her name was Christy. She. When I used to see her working, that's when I saw, like, she was really people's person and not like that took the negativity. Negativity of having a business, like a business mind away from me. Right. Yeah, right.

Yeah. She changed it for you because. Same thing. I used to work for a person called Julie Sartin. People know her very well, and, you know, she was really kind of my. I had many mentors, but she was kind of my first mentor. That showed me a different pathway of, wow, Julie. I mean, those that know Julie, she massively cares about patients and people, and. And it was just inspiring to see that. And her to be a business owner, I've never. I never saw that before. Right. And so I give her credit for that, for being that business boss. And she really didn't want to be. To be honest. She just wanted to treat patients, and that's it. And she still wants to treat patients. So. Ye. It's really interesting that you do get to a level, I think, when you've been practicing for as long as we have that you're like, you know what. What else is out there? And you become curious, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Yeah.

Yeah. So. Okay, so you were thinking about it a little bit, but it wasn't something that was really technically on your radar. You weren't like, yes, I got to start this tomorrow.

Yeah, no, it wasn't like that.

Okay.

Yeah. So when I came to the Pelvibiz conference, like, I said that I got really inspired. And then at the same time, around the same time, this opportunity came to. Came out to me. Someone from a local Facebook group posted. So the facility right now I'm like, subleasing a room out of a mental. It's called given guidance counseling. They do counseling for postpartum pregnant and women and stress and anxiety. And they had a room available, and she posted it on a. On Facebook. So I. And I. I was like. I said I was really inspired by all this, and then I'm like, why not? So I just, like. It presented to me, and I just decided to go jump at it and. And see what happens.

This is amazing. I want to pause here because I just, like, people don't understand. Okay. A prana is kind of rare in the fact that a lot of people in her position would actually contemplate it for years before they decide to go and rent out a room.

Okay. Yeah.

Which I love about you, but that's what's going to actually make her really good in business. Because she didn't think about it, she didn't overthink about it. She said, hey, I came to the Pelvibiz event. I got inspired. Oh, wait, now I know who to actually ask help with and for. Right. So then she said, hey, Pelvibiz, can you help me out? And I said, yeah, I'll help you out. I'll guide you and give you guidance to what's the next steps. Right. So she gets this room. Okay. Again, doesn't overthink it. Many of us would have said what? Many of us would have said, I don't. I need an llc. I need. I need the best documentation system. I need that. She didn't overthink it. She just went and did the thing. Okay, then. Now she has this room. Right. And so can you tell them what's about to transpire tomorrow? Like, what are you doing tomorrow?

Yeah, so tomorrow I have my first patient. I'm really excited. Yeah.

Awesome. She has her first patient in her own company, which is specify.

Yeah, yeah. And yeah. And like you said, when I got this room and then, you know, like one, it's been a month. And then like a month or a month and a half maybe down the line, I started debating, I should have probably gone mobile first. Did I, like, make a mistake? But now, like, I. When I started, like with the CAT program with you, I'm really glad now I'm not doubting my decisions as much. And yeah. So, yeah.

And you. It proves that, hey, I can actually do this and I can make this work, right?

Yes.

Yeah. And so that's amazing. And she's also been marketing heavily. So can you tell people? Because I think this is a really important step. This is where most people, they think they need an llc. They think they need the cutest room on the planet. They think they need all this equipment. But you didn't do that. And you just said, I'm going to get started. So now how are you marketing? Because people are going to want to know how are you trying to get patients? So what things have you done to try to get patients?

So I have been to a few doctors offices and you know, Kelly, how is it you never. How it is you never get to see the doctor? The receptionist will take your card and whatever you have, and then they will just say they, they're nice to you, but doesn't mean that you get patients. Right. But so I, so I have done that. Then I have. I start. I tried like to have a few workshops, like, take. Try to. So I went to a yoga workshop and asked the studio owner if I saw this pelvic floor work yoga workshop in my area. And I contacted the owner saying that, hey, could we do this together? But she was not ready for it. She was. I asked her if I could give my card at the, at the, at her workshop because I thought that would be my, my clientele, but she was not open to it. But I still ended up going for her workshop and which I, It's. I mean, I. She was really happy that I still showed up for the workshop and, and I think that was helpful. And then I. Now I have a workshop scheduled on June 1st with one. One of the acupuncturist and a Chinese medicine doctor in the area. And. Yeah.

Yeah. So let's, let's dive into that. So I want to pause and go back to the workshop that you had with the other pelvic floor yogi. So you were basically saying that, you know, she created the workshop. You asked basically if you could join in to the workshop and she was, you know, join in as an actual, like, co collaborator and help teach these people. Right. She really wasn't having it because, you know, she felt like that was her workshop and she didn't want you coming in on it. Right. So I think this is a really good lesson, guys, that when you start out, it may be a little bit messy.

Yeah.

It may also feel that you are stepping on toes. It may also feel a little bit of yucky and like, oh my God, I don't know. But like, again, I think this a really good example of what a Prano is doing is she's kind of fearless. Okay. She's fearless in the fact that someone else had a yoga pelvic floor yoga workshop already scheduled. And she said, hey, great, can I help you teach that? Okay. Like, but that's what it takes to be able to just try. And she doesn't have any business experience. Okay. She has no business experience. She just said, hey, look, I know it could be done better and I'm willing to do it. And it may be messy. I may get a no. She got a no, but it didn't stop her. That's the other thing. Most people, when they're starting out, they'll go and try to do what she just did. Hear a no and be Like, I can't do this, Kelly. I'm done. Like, they hate me. Someone told me no, and I'm gonna go hide in the corner. You cannot do that. You've got to be like, great, I heard a no. That's actually a positive because I need to hear like 20 no's before I hear yes. It's actually very true. So she heard her no, and then what she do? She just went to go get another workshop with that acupuncturist. It's actually going to work out very well because now, you know, like you were saying, they're going to actually be able to charge for the workshop. Yes, and I'm going to pause there too for talk about that. You know, charging for workshops is a good thing, guys, because you're actually going to be getting the clientele that you actually want. You're not going to be getting the Walmart people, no offense, gets the Walmart people and the coupon people. But the Walmart and the coupon people are going to do the show for the workshop for free, not give you any of their contact information and say, peace out the rich people. Okay? And I'm not talking about like rich rich. I'm just talking teachers can be rich. And the fact that they have a better mindset because they're like, hey, she's the person I need to go to because she actually can solve my problem. Just like a Prana enlisted in my help because she knows, hey, I can actually help her get to where she wants to be. Right. She, she now is creating a shortcut for herself rather than her trying to do this by herself, it, be it being lonely, her spinning her wheels, she now has guidance. Prana is doing that with her clients and she is allowing them to say, hey, you got a problem? I'm going to have a workshop so that you can see that I can actually solve your problem. And that's the start. So when you charge for a workshop, you can charge anywhere between $10 to $45, I would say is pretty average per person. Then it's going to get the people that truly want their problem solved to attend. And that's the benefit of it. Yeah, you know.

Yeah, yeah, sorry, I, I just. Yeah. Initially even I had doubts about like charging people, but I think it's. I agree with you that it's, it's a good thing.

Yeah. And so now what they're doing is they're gonna, they'll split the money. Okay. The two people that are putting on. They'll split the money and Then they'll also split the contacts. So you're going to split the contacts. They're two different audiences, they're solving kind of the same issue, but not. They're both help down regulating the nervous system. So when you're, let's talk about collaboration here. When you're trying to collaborate with someone, you want to see what value does a prana bring to the acupuncturist and what value does the acupuncturist bring to a prana. And when you talk about the clientele, they're going to have the same clientele, but the acupuncturist is going to bring something unique in the fact that she's going to hit it from a Chinese medicine approach, that angle. She's also going to hit it from a, hey, let me do the acupuncture points. Right. She's also potentially going to hit it from a supplementation standpoint because they're trained on herbs and how to downregulate the nervous system and make everything, you know, feng shui. Like we're not as trained on that. So a prana's approach is going to be, hey, I'm going to help down regulate the nervous system by showing breath work. I'm going to also show that clientele, that breath work and the pelvic floor, how they all go together. And if we can help down regulate the nervous system, then overall the pelvic floor is going to relax and your symptoms will decrease. Right?

Yes.

She's also going to provide value potentially if someone has pain, she can provide value on pain science. While the acupuncturist is doing the acupuncture points, she can do the talking on why someone feels pain the way they do and the theories and stuff behind that.

Right.

So they can both feed off of each other and work off each other and have such a collaborative, amazing workshop about how to down regulate the nervous system and decrease your pain and how it affects the pelvic floor and your overall muscle tension. Something like that could be like the title of it. But they're both going to show their strengths to the clientele. So collaboration is key. I truly believe that because you've got to have such a collaborative approach to be able to get the patients the results that they're actually looking for.

Yeah. And when I walked into this acupuncturist office, she said she has tried collaborating with other people in the area, other women business owners, and she said, I really got discouraged because nobody wants to do it. And then she said, I'm so glad you walked in to my office, because people want to do their own thing, and I wanted to collaborate. So there are women business owner owners like that who really want to collaborate. And I think it's just like, I just went for it and. Yeah, thank you, Kelly, for that, for guiding me. Amazing.

Yeah. Yeah. And then that's the thing is like, yeah, don't get discouraged, even if 20 people tell you no that day, because there are people out there that do understand the benefit of collaboration if you don't collaborate. And you're like, hey, look, I can do this all by myself. You. I promise you, you will not make it. You have to collabor. Yeah. You have got to collaborate. So collaboration is key. Okay, so now you're about to have your first patient tomorrow. Okay. Which is super cool. You're about to do your workshop, which is really cool too. So thanks for looking up. So where do you. In the next. Let's just say in the next three months to six months, where do you see yourself and where do you see the company going?

So my biggest thing for last one, like, last like, one or two months is like, within three months, I just want to be where I. My rent is paid from. Like, that's where I want to be in, like, next two or three months.

But.

And. But in six, in, like four or five months. I hope I'm. I want to see more patients, I want to be busier and want to do more workshops and. And actually, I listened to one of your podcasts, I think, and I want to do, like, more collaboration with. With other women, business, health, like, in health world, business owners, and. And have more leads that way. And.

Yeah, so. And why do you want to do that? Like, what inspires you to do that?

So I. I saw that nobody in my area is doing it, and. And it's. It's such a cool thing. I. It would be to do that. And. And I think, like, every. Like you said in that podcast or your. One of your videos in the. That, like, people, nobody. Like, when we collaborate, we can all grow together and, you know, have clients, like, help each other and not. Yeah. So.

Yeah. No, and it's so empowering. Like, people don't understand that so many people, especially in the healthcare space, which. Which is really sad. We. Everyone thinks everyone's a competition. I feel like no other space is like that except for, like, healthcare. Because I believe, like, we all have these egos of, like, I'm the doctor, I know everything. And it's like, no, but if you let that ego down a little bit and you actually just say, you know what? We actually do have the same clientele and we can help them in different ways. And it doesn't mean that if they're seeing me, they can't see that other person and vice versa. Right. They can see all of us at the same time, or they see one of us here, one of us here, whatever. Right? So we all can benefit from when we only help each other out. I can tell you this even today. I just had a talk with my team and I was like, hey, guys, how can we make their business grow? I didn't even say, how can we make orthopelva grow. I said, how can we make their business grow? So I have a whole list. And I basically was like, I basically go, okay, these are all. This would be potentially their problem. So I think about other people's businesses and I say, what's their problem? Oh, well, the problem is like, I think of a playhouse. Let me give you an example. You know, the kids play area, you know, where the release their kids and the kids go crazy. Well, why do you think moms go there? Moms take their kids there because why? Their kids are entertained. And then guess what mom does? What does mom do?

They get some me time. They just.

They get some me time.

Yeah.

Yes. So what? Mom doesn't want me time. But in the meantime, why then do I not step in or prana step in? Sorry, Prana step in and say, hey, during your me time, I'm going to show you actually how to take care of yourself while your kid's playing. Yeah, that's a. And who everyone's trying to get with these doctor's offices. Screw the doctor's offices. Like, go to the play areas that the moms are actually, you know, getting their kids to do something. And then guess what? We can take care of the moms. And the likelihood of them actually listening to us is a win win. Because their kid's happy. So they're going to be happy and they're going to be like, oh, my God. Wow, this is amazing. My kid can play and I can get information about myself. Phenomenal. So you can host a workshop at a kid's play area. It's a collaboration and it's a win win because we're giving the moms what they want.

Yes.

Yeah. Yeah, I think. I think it's great. So. No, that's super cool. Well, I'm excited to see you grow, and I cannot wait. And we'll have, you know, have to do another podcast as I come back on and be like, this is what I did in six months. Because I really know, just by your actions and everything of just how you started this, that you're actually going to take action and grow. And even though it's scary, it's fearful, sometimes it may feel like, oh, my gosh, I'm lost. I don't know if I should really do this. But you're actually just taking action, doing the thing. So be super proud of yourself for doing it and be super proud that you're actually inspiring someone that's going to listen to this podcast. So that's super cool.

Yeah. Thank you. And you've been a big, big help. I don't know. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help, Kelly. Truly. Thank you. And when I came to pelvis, like, you know, I was thinking, because I wanted to explore the option and I was thinking, but I always thought that, you know, I just. I don't want a big practice. I just. I. It's going to be a solo. I just want. It's just going to be me. And I want a small practice, but I don't know how, like, it will play in the future. But when I. When I saw all those speakers, and then. Then I thought, why am I, you know, limiting myself when. So that also opened up my mind.

You know, and let me say something to that, too. I know. I'm trying to. I said I was going to end, but, you know, I really have to speak to that because I think that's a really big deal. You didn't realize what. You just didn't know. Yeah, let me say that again. She didn't realize what. She just didn't know. She thought. And this is where. And you're not the Only one. About 85% of the people that come and try to, you know, get advice from me, they're that. And I was that person, too. I just want to replace my income, have my little practice, and I'm good. But we. They don't realize what the vision could be until they actually see it. So what she was saying is she's inspired by lots of other people that were in my mastermind, and that they have taken their businesses from zero to making 40, 50, $60,000 months, and now they actually have their time back. That's actually a true business. If you want to create a business where you're just. We call it a solopreneur, where it's just you and the business, you can do that. But that's not really the way I like to coach because to me, I actually just coached you on how to create your own job. I just coached you on how to actually, actually take up more of your time. Because you will have more of your time. Okay, yes, you're going to be paid for it, so that's a positive. Okay. But you're going to be on that business. Like no one's, like no one's business, literally. I mean, you're going to be in it and you won't be able to pull yourself out. So if your kid gets sick, how are you going to do that? If you get sick, what? Your business is not going to run. That means you're setting yourself up for a massive liability. But if you understand how to hire and be able to take it to the next level, then your business is not nearly a liability. And then it actually becomes an asset. And an asset is something that you can use for years and years and years and years to come so that you can actually take that asset and start investing in other things. Investing in people, investing on building that thing. And that will give you your time, which every single person that's listening to this podcast, that's what they want. They want time. We all want money too, but you want time more than money, most of you guys. And to do that, you cannot be a solopreneur. And that's why you got to surround yourself. You got to come to the Pelvibiz event, you got to be around like minded people. You got to join the CAT program because that's going to get you around people that are actually doing the same thing in the same exact position that you're in. And that's only going to elevate you because they're going to be like, hey, by the way, I got this workshop here. I'm doing this. Oh, wait, I never thought about that. Oh wait, now I can do this, you know? Yeah. So surround. I think that's an amazing point. Like you got to surround yourself with people that have been there, done it, and they will truly, truly inspire you and take you to the next level for sure.

Yes. Yeah.

So that's awesome. Okay, so let's tell people, where can they find you? Because guys, we got a follower on Instagram. Okay, she's just starting out. Want to follow her on Instagram? Let's support her. So go ahead, tell them your Instagram name.

My Instagram name is Pelvicor pt. And yeah, that's where you can. And my website is pt. Pelvic core.com great.

Awesome. So you guys got to go check her out, Watch her on her journey. Watch her get uncomfortable. Okay. I love it. And this has been so fun. It's always so fun to get people when they're starting out. And let's see where it goes. I can't wait.

Yeah. Thank you so much, Kelly.

Yes. Thank you so much for coming on. All right, bye, guys. Bye. Thank you guys so much for listening to the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by Jane. They are the people that are going to have amazing scheduling system for your patients. They're going to provide you with a super bill. They're going to make templates for you. They're going to provide you with the best customer service. And because of that, they allowed us to have a code for one free month for those that are wanting to try Jane for their scheduling, checking out super bills, telehealth, all the different options. That code is pelvibiz1mo. We'll put in the show notes, but pelvibiz1mo. That is the code for Jane. And thank you so much, Jane, for sponsoring this podcast. If you guys want more information and want to learn how that you can keep bettering yourselves, go ahead, click the link down below and make sure that you book a call. And we love to provide any clarity questions on any follow ups. Bye, guys.