Quick heads up before we dive in, the audio on this one had a few hiccups cause of connection issues, but stick with it because the content from Clay and Emily Jones is pure gold. Might be one to listen to with headphones, not just in the car.

These two are absolute rockstars from 901 PT in Memphis, Tennessee. They've been in our mastermind for years and watching their growth has been incredible starting with just Clay, now they just brought on their fifth clinician. All 100% cash, in a city like Memphis. It's proof of what's possible when you focus on the right things. We talk about their journey from Clay being frustrated in traditional settings, to bootstrapping the practice (literally Clay doing home visits out of his car), Emily jumping in with her marketing background, and how they've built such a strong team and culture.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• ✔️ Start Lean & Bootstrap: You don't need a massive loan. Clay started with home visits, minimal expenses paid off quickly, and they saved aggressively.
• ✔️ Leverage Your Network: They started by reaching out to friends, family, and Clay's existing reputation. Don't underestimate your personal connections.
• ✔️ Build a Cash Cushion: Saving diligently from the start allowed them to hire their first therapist without financial stress, fueling faster growth.
• ✔️ Complementary Skills are Key: Recognize strengths. Clay focused on clinical care and team leadership; Emily took on marketing, finances, and operations based on her background.
• ✔️ Define Roles & Communication: Working with a spouse requires clear lanes and setting specific times for business discussions to avoid burnout and frustration.
• ✔️ Invest in Your Team: Mentoring and creating the "best possible experience" for employees, not just patients, is crucial for sustainable growth and retention. Clay intentionally blocks time for this now.
• ✔️ Get Outside Perspective: Being in a mastermind provided crucial feedback and pushed them (especially Clay on managing his schedule) to think bigger and differently.
• ✔️ Build the Business Around Your Life: The goal isn't just revenue; it's creating the freedom (time, financial, travel) you want for your family. They design the business to support their life goals.

🧠 Pro Tip:

If you're going into business with a spouse or partner, identify your distinct strengths early. Divide responsibilities based on those skills (like Clay on clinical/team and Emily on marketing/ops) instead of both trying to do everything. It prevents burnout and maximizes your collective impact.

Help us smash 200 reviews on iTunes for the PT Entrepreneur Podcast! It's huge for a niche show like ours.

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Big thanks to Clay and Emily for sharing their journey. Go check them out at 901pt.com, @901pt on Instagram, and 901 Physical Therapy on Facebook.

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