As of next week, Rhian will be stepping down as owner and director of One 2 One Therapy and wanted to explain in her own words why she made this huge decision…
Walking away from my business is not a decision I have taken lightly but one which is needed for my personal and professional growth.
One 2 One is my baby. I created, nurtured and loved her from a small windowless room in Esporta to the fantastic multidisciplinary well-being clinic you see today. I am so proud of what I’ve achieved and what One 2 One has become; but it’s time to step aside and let someone else look after her. Details of the new owner will be revealed next week and I can assure you she’s in safe hands.
On reflection, to start up a business as a young woman on her own aged 26 was quite an achievement. I remember feeling terrified of going out on my own leaving the comfort and security of a job in the NHS but knew it was something I had to do for my professional growth and happiness. I was frustrated by the lack of time I had with patients and felt I couldn’t be the therapist I wanted to be in that environment so I took a leap of faith and One 2 One Therapy was born in April 2004.
My passion for physiotherapy started aged 16 when someone very dear to me sustained a life changing injury and I used to attend his physiotherapy sessions in Rookwood Hospital. I knew I had to pursue a career in health care so I could help others.Having the knowledge and skills to enhance someone’s life is such a privilege and all I ever wanted was to give the best service possible to my patients/clients.
Helping others and making a difference to peoples lives has always been at the forefront of the business. This is why I kept challenging myself to bigger premises where I could offer more services. I knew how essential it was to look at the whole person and address the root cause of their problem to achieve the best outcome and this would require a range of healthcare experts.
In 2011, One 2 One Therapy relocated from Esporta to Court Road in Bridgend town centre. We spent 6 years at those premises before relocating to Red Dragon Court on Bridgend Industrial Estate in 2017. It was an absolute joy to design the clinic you see today from scratch. I was able to include everything I needed as a therapist and everything I felt our clients needed too.
It was never a dream of mine to be a business owner; I just wanted to be the best therapist I could be whilst feeling happy and fulfilled in my job. I never imagined in 2004 that it would grow into the fantastic clinic you see today.
As fantastic as it is, it requires a lot of my time and energy outside of my clinical work. I don’t feel that I can be the therapist I want to be whilst having to split my time between the two roles.
A few years ago, my vision for the future of the business was for my two sons to join myself and my husband Adam at One 2 One. I imagined a family run business that was handed down to the next generation. This is what I hoped for. Since Covid, everything has changed.
As a business owner, the stress of trying to save your business to keep all your staff in a job was immense. It is an experience which nearly broke me and one which I never want to experience again. It made me realise that I don’t actually enjoy being a business owner and forced me to reflect on what I do enjoy….helping others!
As heart breaking as it is to let One 2 One go, I know this is the right decision for me, my family, my clients and for the clinic. I will be able to focus on what I love and what I do best and can offer more appointments to clients. So I won’t be going anywhere, you’re stuck with me!
I would like take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me over the past 18 years and made it all possible…
To my family and friends who loaned money, painted, cleaned, built and carried furniture, fixed things, answered phones, looked after my children, gave me a shoulder to cry on…you’re simply the best! I couldn’t have done it without you.
To all my clients, thank you for your loyalty and support, you’re the reason I love my job and I’m so grateful for each and every one of you.
To my one2one family, thank you for your hard work, loyalty, dedication and friendship. We are and will always be #Team121 and I feel blessed to have you all in my life.
To my husband Adam, thank you for always being there for me and our boys. You constantly take care of us and go out of your way to make our lives better. Nothing is ever too much trouble and we couldn’t have managed without your support.
To my boys, Harri & Rhys, thank you for giving me the strength and courage to face any challenge in life. You are the reason I can be fearless, take risks and why I strive to be the best I can be. It’s all for you!
Sending you all a massive thank you & lots of love,
Rhian