65 - From Therapist to CEO with Melanie Harris: Healthcare Mini Series Pt 4
- Author
- Kari Lotzien
- Published
- Tue 05 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- https://www.betheanchor.ca/
In this inspiring and refreshingly candid episode, Kari is joined by longtime colleague and friend, Melanie Harris—CEO and physiotherapist at Functional Therapy, a thriving pediatric practice in Alberta. Melanie shares her journey from reluctant entrepreneur to confident business leader, opening up about the emotional and practical challenges of leaving behind secure employment, scaling a purpose-driven business, and redefining leadership in healthcare.
Together, Kari and Melanie reflect on the real, behind-the-scenes experiences of transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur: the late nights, the self-doubt, and the joy work that keeps them going. If you’re a healthcare provider thinking about starting your own business—or you’ve already taken the leap—this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and reminders that you’re not alone.
Key Topics Discussed:
- From clinician to CEO: Melanie’s non-linear path into entrepreneurship
- Saying yes to everything: How she navigated the early stages of solo practice
- Building a team from the bleachers: The magic of hiring from unexpected places
- Owning your job vs. building a business: Knowing when to let go and delegate
- Scaling smart: Becoming a vendor, hiring subcontractors, and embracing growth
- The CEO identity shift: Redefining productivity and learning to trust your team
- Creating a second level of leadership: Training coordinators and building in mentorship
- The emotional side of leadership: Balancing heart-led decisions with strategic thinking
- Investing in community and support: How peer groups and coaching changed her trajectory
- Joy work and intuition: Redefining success on your own terms
Melanie’s story is a powerful reminder that building a business—especially in healthcare—requires more than strategy. It takes heart, resilience, and a community of support. From her kitchen-table startup days to leading a thriving, values-driven team, she shows us that leadership is not about doing it all, but about learning to let go and trust the people around you.
If you're navigating your own shift from service provider to CEO, be sure to grab the Free 5-Systems Foundation Checklist—it’s a practical tool to help you streamline your business and free up your time so you can focus on your own version of joy work.
Because the business you build should work for you.
Connect with Melanie and her team:
Website: www.functionaltherapy.ca
Phone: (780) 977-4222
Email: [email protected]
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you.
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Work with Kari:
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