New Businesses in Fenelon Falls: Body Design + Fenelon RMT
We’ve had lots of new businesses join our Chamber in the last few months, and we wanted to get to know more about what they have to offer. Our amazing tourism ambassador interviewed these businesses, and for the next few weeks we’re going to run a series where we feature those interviews. This week, we’re talking about Body by Design and Fenelon RMT!
Body Design
1. How long have you owned your business?
I’m celebrating my 20th year in business this year.
2. What was the inspiration to start your business?
When I was turning 40yrs old, I weighed 207lbs and was very out of shape. Because it was a milestone birthday, I made a decision that I did not want to go into the next 40 yrs. of my life feeling and looking the way that I did. I joined Weight Watchers and started walking. The walking soon turned into running and I started working out with weights too. Within 9 months I lost over 50lbs. People kept asking me to share the secret to my success. There was no secret. I was just making healthy food choices and being more active. Since so many people wanted what I had achieved, I decided to get my certifications as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. Two years later I opened my business, Body Design. I have maintained my weight loss now for over 22 years and I’ve worked with hundreds of women and men to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.
3. What is your favourite part of being a small business owner?
Witnessing and sharing in the positive and sometimes life changing impact that our services have on our clients. I have the great opportunity to witness first-hand the health benefits that clients experience as they work towards improving their eating, activity and lifestyle habits. We have clients who initially came to us inactive, overweight and discouraged who are now competing in running events, triathlons and other sporting events. Others have gone on to achieve significant career aspirations. It’s a joy to watch our clients self-confidence and self-esteem blossom. We also have had several clients continue on their wellness path by getting certified to teach Fitness classes or be Personal Trainers. I personally, do not know of too many other careers where you have the opportunity to witness such personal growth and improved health, all in a very natural and non-invasive way.
3. What do you wish more people knew about your business? Since the pandemic started, we had to move our services to an online format. At first I was sceptical on how effective the format would be. However, I have learned that the online format works and is so convenient for the clients. I do see clients in person in my home based training studio and I really enjoy the interaction but online training works too!
4. Who is your biggest supporter? My husband. I often refer to him as my CEO. I value his opinion when I’m struggling with a problem and he’s much better at math than I am!
5. What are you most proud of about your business? Building a business from a part time, start up enterprise to a multi-faceted organization that has had such a positive impact on my clients and community for 20 years.
7. Describe yourself or your business in one or two words? Our slogan – “Be Fit, Eat Well, Live Life!”
905-715-0009
Fenelon RMT
1.How long have you owned your business?
Our business is owned by Tanya Pounder, RMT, and me...Christa LeCraw, RMT. Tanya has been an RMT for 14 years and I have been an RMT for 4.5 years. We joined forces in 2018 and opened a single-room space behind the Colborne Street Gallery, and then in April 2021 we moved to our current location in the medical centre on Francis Street East, and formalised our partnership to form Fenelon Falls Registered Massage Therapy. We just passed the one-year milestone in our new clinic space.
2. What was the inspiration to start your business?
We both have young families but as our kids grow, we’re able to spend more time with our clients. As we began working more, we realised that we were stronger together than as 2 sole proprietors. Honestly, it was probably our working relationship that was the biggest inspiration for us to build this business together. Joining forces allowed us to move to a bigger clinic space, and bring on a third RMT. Now we have this amazing community of clients and therapists, working together for everyone’s health and well-being.
3. What is your favourite part of being a small business owner?
The close relationships we have with our clients, and the possibilities that are open to us to respond to their needs...to learn and share new therapies, to adopt new technologies and equipment, and to design the look and feel of our clinic to be the healing place that we dream about. We get so excited about designing a new treatment room, or crafting a new social media post, or planning what our next steps will be. Having that kind of autonomy and freedom is thrilling.
4. What do you wish more people knew about your business?
The range of conditions we can treat! We’re working on ways to communicate to the public and to other healthcare professionals what kinds of conditions can benefit from massage therapy. It’s not just sore muscles from exercise or a kink in the neck from sleeping weird...we can help with post-operative recovery, anxiety and depression, headaches, TMJ issues, plantar fasciitis, whiplash injuries and so much more.
5. Who is your biggest supporter?
Our clients! We have a very loyal client base without whom we would not be able to grow. They are so supportive. Our clients really are why we work so hard.
6. What are you most proud of about your business?
Our clinic space. Our therapeutic approach is results-based, with a focus on supporting the health goals of our clients, but we believe that the environment in which we work plays a role in helping our clients to relax, release tension, and support the healing process. We put a lot of thought and effort into the design of our clinic and we honestly love coming to work in such a calming, healing, beautiful space.
7. Describe yourself or your business in one or two words?
HEALING TOUCH
