Dr. Alex Hill started OncoPelvic PT as a side business in 2020 to counter misinformation, fill a resource gap for patients and providers, and generate another income stream during the shutdown.
Alex Hill, D.P.T., P.T., didn’t always know she would be an entrepreneur. A 2014 alumna of the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Hill trained to be a practicing clinician.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she decided to leverage her clinical experiences and expertise to found OncoPelvic PT, an inclusive educational platform to empower patients with pelvic health, lymphedema and cancer-related conditions, and the therapists who treat them.
“In 2020, there was so much misinformation and disinformation circling around, especially around health topics,” Hill said. “There was so much hate and negativity going on in the world, and I wanted to do something good.”
OncoPelvic PT was also designed to fill a serious gap in information and resources for patients and clinicians. Hill has developed continuing education courses and coaching for providers, and digital guides, webinars and videos for patients.
“There’s not a lot of great information out there about pelvic health and oncology,” Hill said. “It’s taboo to talk about. People don’t like to talk about these topics, or they feel uncomfortable. And on top of that, they are getting not great information, or they’re getting information from influencers or places that are not fact checked.”
Hill shares her top tips for practitioners who are thinking about starting their own business:
Get curious. When I was first thinking about starting my business, I signed up for so many newsletters, just to learn. I got curious, and I started to listen to podcasts and read articles about what other people are doing and where to start. My view of what a business was and what it could be completely shifted.
Test the waters. I tiptoed my toes into the water, so to speak. I found out that I like making Instagram posts, networking, getting affiliate agreements and writing blog posts. Then I said, ‘OK, let’s go a little deeper into the water. I still like these things.’ Then it turned into, ‘OK, let’s go ahead, let’s jump in.’ So, I was not somebody who just jumped right into my business, I definitely tiptoed in, and that’s OK!
Slow is fine. There’s no timeline when you start a business. As providers, it’s common to encounter patients who are afraid to take their first step after surgery. We might help them stand up at the edge of their bed and just gently shift their weight; even if it’s small, it’s progress. It’s still moving forward without taking a big, huge step right as soon as they get out of bed. That’s what starting a business can be. Maybe it’s as simple as a clinic daydream, thinking about what kind of clinic you would open, or what your social media handle would be. Taking even a little step and exploring what that means is a good place to start.
Stay open. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to be open to what your passions are. And when you find your passions, follow them. Be open to what a business can become, even if it starts small.
Be a rainbow. The last thing I can say is a quote from Maya Angelou, which is my favorite motto: “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” If you can use your passion, and put kindness and goodness out to someone else, I think that’s what ultimately drives us. That’s what connects us, those small acts of kindness. The mission behind what we do. Ask yourself, ‘Am I putting good into what I’m doing?’ And if so, there’s something there. Don’t be afraid to pursue it.
