Starting and running a business is no small feat, especially when you’re juggling family, personal dreams and the demands of everyday life. For many of us, it can feel like trying to keep a dozen plates spinning all at once. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Kellie Wilkie, a remarkable woman who has not only managed to build a thriving business but has done so while travelling the world and raising twin boys.
Kellie a beacon of what it means to curate a life of intention. She’s the mastermind behind Body System, a leading physiotherapy and exercise physiology clinic in Hobart, Tasmania. With 25 years under her belt, Kellie has a team of about 24 people, a record of travelling with the Australian rowing team, and she is a proud mother of twins. If that’s not juggling, I don’t know what is! In our conversation, Kellie share the principles that have guided her to do it all, without losing herself in the process.
Building a Business by Design
When Kellie first entered the world of physiotherapy, she quickly discovered the traditional model wasn’t for her. She was facing burnout just 18 months into her career due to a high-turnover, high-stress environment. It was a job focused more on profit than people, not aligning with her personal values. Taking a bold step, Kellie decided to craft a business that would work for her, instead of the other way around.
Instead of fitting into the mould, she broke it. Kellie set out to create a practice that not only provided gold-standard service but also fostered a work environment where her team could thrive without sacrificing personal wellbeing. She believed in seeing patients for longer periods, a practice unheard of in the fast-paced medical world. Her business was designed to put staff happiness and health first, creating a supportive and innovative team atmosphere.
Values as Your Guiding Star
Kellie’s journey is anchored by her unwavering commitment to her values. Whether it’s honesty, integrity or kindness, she credits her success to staying true to these core principles. She firmly believes that a thriving business starts with looking after your people, ensuring a supportive environment, and preventing burnout. The positive culture she’s nurtured is what sets her clinic apart and attracts top talent, all while enabling a healthy work-life balance.
Navigating the Family Juggle
A discussion with Kellie wouldn’t be complete without diving into how she managed to juggle her thriving business with family life. Her secret? Teamwork and intentional decision-making. She and her husband worked together to balance work and family responsibilities, ensuring that neither was overwhelmed at any given time. By supporting each other’s careers and adjusting workloads as necessary, they fostered a home environment as supportive as the one Kellie created at her clinic.
Kellie also emphasises the importance of having an exceptional team in place at work. This enabled her to step away when necessary, without the stress of the business falling apart. Her approach to having structured policies allowed her to be fully present, whether at work or with her family.
Lessons from the Olympic Dream
Kellie’s experience working with the elite athletes of the Australian rowing team offered profound lessons in performance and teamwork. She talks about the importance of understanding one’s role within a team, respecting the existing structure and knowing when to lead and when to support. The same principles apply to business; knowing when to step back, when to lead and always focusing on collective success.
Wear One Hat at a Time
As we closed our conversation, Kellie shared a piece of advice that has stuck with her: wear one hat at a time. Whether it’s being a mum, a business leader or a sports enthusiast, focusing on one role at a time allows you to perform at your best. This intentionality is what has enabled Kellie to manage the complex dance of her multiple roles with grace and effectiveness.
Kellie’s story is a blueprint for those of us who are striving to build our dreams without losing sight of what truly matters. If you’re looking for a role model in balancing the business and life juggle, look no further than Kellie Wilkie.
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Connect with Kellie:
Website: https://bodysystem.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-wilkie-56840339/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodysystem__/
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