WEBVTT
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I'm 27 years old.
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Like, I'm a baby business owner.
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I'm still a baby therapist.
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I think what I may lack in experience, I make up for in resilience and grit.
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Hi everyone, and welcome to Highlight Her.
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Before we get into the episode, I invite you to hit that follow button.
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It helps the show get delivered into your feed and it's a free way to support the podcast.
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Today's featured guest is Hannah Mills of The Mill in Wyandotte and New Boston, Michigan, in the United States.
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The Mill is a beautiful space that houses physical therapy and functional fitness.
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I'm really excited to chat with Hannah because multiple people told me she needed to be on the podcast.
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Let's get started and add her to the Highlight Her Circle of Season 3.
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Hi, Hannah.
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Thank you very much for joining us today.
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Hi, Jenny.
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Thanks so much for having me.
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Before we get started, what we do have a couple typical highlight her questions that I ask in the beginning.
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So, first, what do you think is your superpower as an entrepreneur?
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Yeah, good question.
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I think that my superpower is actually that I'm not necessarily a business person.
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Um, a little fun fact about me is that I have never taken a business course.
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I didn't take like any interest in business, like in marketing or like growing up.
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Like I had a lot of friends in DECA in high school and things like that.
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And like that was just never part of my journey.
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I never saw myself opening a business.
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Um, so I didn't really pursue those things.
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But I think that in the grand scheme of things, it has really made me actually a better business owner because I come to my business as like a clinician, as a therapist first, just putting people first.
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And I just I'm constantly asking myself, well, how can I be better?
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How can I show up differently?
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Um, what can I do to provide a service, fill a niche in the community that is needed?
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And that's kind of been my philosophy from day one.
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So I think that's like my business superpower is actually being a therapist more than actually a business person.
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I love that insight.
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It sounds like it's really working well for you.
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Definitely so far.
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It makes it challenging at times, like not having that background.
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And I mean, now I really seek out different business resources, but it's not innately in me.
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But I again, I think it's just what makes me different.
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And then my other question that I like to ask guests before we get into their story have you recently had a moment where you thought, this is why I do this?
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Definitely.
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I mean, I feel like I get to have those moments every day because I still see patients.
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So I do a little bit of everything for my business.
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I get to work one-on-one with patients.
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I still teach group classes, so I interact with our fitness clients all the time.
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I'm in and out of the studio, and now I'm leading a team of amazing women.
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Um, so I wear a lot of hats in a day.
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And every day I feel like it's a different category of the business where I feel like, you know, when when I start to feel, oh, I'm getting too busy, I can't take on any more patience, or I can't do more.
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I have a patient tell me something that they were able to do that they weren't able to do the week before or the months before, or in some cases in their entire life, that they're reaching these goals.
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And it just reminds me, you know, this is why I work so hard.
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This is why I created this space.
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And then too, just like um watching my team grow and the different opportunities that they've had.
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And every time I see them win, I feel a win and a sense of pride too to be working alongside them.
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So I feel like those moments happen honestly on a day-to-day basis.
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Um, for me, one one thing that I'm thinking just really more specifically off the top of my head is um we are doing a summer strength challenge for our fitness crew here in our private Facebook group for that.
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I had just posted last week about shout out someone who is in your class and point out something that they did well, cheer them on, give them a give them a little boost.
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And I hit I was reading these comments from these women with tears rolling down my face.
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Like just seeing the way that um, you know, amidst all the seasons that we all as individuals face and you can still show up and still show up for someone else and support them, um, is such a beautiful thing, and it is why I do what I do.
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So long answer there.
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No, I love it.
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I I think it's great that like when you said someone doing something that they've never done in their life, that must be so rewarding.
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Yeah.
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And then to see your group of women just cheering each other on and shouting out, I I really love that aspect that you didn't say, tell us something great that you did today, because I'm sure you do that as well.
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But just to let these women see someone else sees my strength.
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And this is something that I've achieved and they notice it.
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Yes.
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And I think we're as women, we are the harshest critics of ourselves all the time.
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And so to have someone else recognize that in you, it helps you be able to recognize that in yourself too, which is exactly why I did that.
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Absolutely.
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So let's go back to the beginning.
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Can you tell us a little bit about what the mill is specifically?
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And then tell us how you just decided one day, hey, let's start this.
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How far back do we go?
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Um far as you want.
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As far as you want.
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Okay.
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Um, so I uh grew up in Wyandotte.
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I went to Roosevelt.
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Wyandotte's been my home.
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I met my high school sweetheart there, who's now my husband.
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I went to the University of Michigan for undergrad.
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And I really had a calling to a healthcare field.
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I just knew that I had a servant's heart and I wanted to help others.
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And I grew up playing sports.
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So physical therapy felt like a very close thing that, you know, would keep me in that fit, active world, but also tie in the healthcare helping aspect.
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When I was at U of M, I had joined the physical therapy club we had on campus.
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And I will never forget this women's health PT pelvic floor therapist came in and talked to us.
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And that was a branch of PT that I had never heard of.
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I always thought PT was like sports and my grandparents kind of thing.
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So I was really open to this world.
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And before I think I ever envisioned myself being a PT, I really envisioned myself being a mom.
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So tying the love of helping women through motherhood, helping moms specifically, seemed so full circle for me.
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I don't have kids right now, but it's definitely something that I hope to eventually have.
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Right now, I jokingly say I have two kids, which are Wyandotte and New Boston, um, who take up a lot of my time.
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But I'll just say, I fell into this world kind of by accident.
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And I started looking at PT from the lens of sports and why are women tearing their ACL during a certain phase of their menstrual cycle.
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And that just kind of segued into this hormonal women's health shift and looking into hormones and then the interest of motherhood and all that.
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And so then I really started to look into like pelvic floor therapy and I thought, oh, like that's really, really sounds weird, but like it it seems like a very needed service.
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And as my time through U of M when I graduated U of M, I by the time I got to grad school, I went to Baylor in Texas.
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I was a hundred percent, I was like, I know what I want to do.
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I want to be a physical therapist and I want to specialize in women's health and pelvic floor therapy.
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So I am a nerd.
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So of course I enrolled in additional courses in addition to grad school to really pour myself into pelvic floor therapy and pre and postnatal therapy and exercise specialists.
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And I just was enamored by it.
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I mean, I loved it.
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It felt not like work, it didn't feel like schoolwork, it just felt like a calling.
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So when I graduated PT school, I started working at a private practice.
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And, you know, I really saw myself working there forever.
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I thought it was my dream job.
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I was going to be able to do women's health and public floor therapy.
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Um, and at the time I was also working at a fitness studio part-time.
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So as things kind of went on, I started to realize that this wasn't the space that I felt that I could help people in the way that I felt called to do, which was really to like bridge this gap between fitness and physical therapy.
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Because I think all too often people are sent to PT and then they usually it's their insurance company that says, hey, you don't need PT anymore.
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We're not covering it.
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And you kind of get kicked out.
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And a lot of times then you're you're passed off to fitness that you're not really ready for.
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You're kind of told, oh, just go to the gym.
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And there's a huge gap.
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And I felt like that was an area that I really, really wanted to bridge that gap because that's what helps people and that's what keeps people out of PT in the long run, is having that fitness backbone, staying active, staying movement, moving, but then also having the support when needed.
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So really, there aren't many places doing that.
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And my solution to the problem was honestly just creating it, creating a place and not to get into all the details, I guess, of leaving my last job.
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But I had an entrepreneur really close to me who's a good friend now, just kind of in the back of my ear, being like, Hannah, you can do this.
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Like never it, there's never right time.
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People are gonna doubt you, people are gonna question you, but like you should at least try.
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And I was so scared.
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I talked to my boss about switching to part-time, and I started seeing patients on the side actually out of another local wind-up business called Haven Wellness.
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From there, I started to build a caseload and like really notice the need that downriver has for women's health and pelvic floor therapy.
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I mean, we are a desert, and I was working in the Ann Arbor area before, which has a lot more resources.
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Still, we need more, but downriver, I just felt this especial callback, and my patient caseload really started to increase quickly.
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And that's when I kind of started to go down that fitness rabbit hole.
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So, a couple months later, about six months later, I signed a lease for my own full-time space.
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And when I signed that lease in Windot, I fully intended on doing this by myself.
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I was gonna run fitness classes, I was gonna see personal training clients still here, and then I was also gonna see PT clients.
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And I will never forget this day.
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I sat down, I wrote out what is the perfect gym schedule with classes and when am I gonna put in patients?
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And I looked at it and I was like, when am I gonna sleep?
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Because that was just not going to happen.
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I kind of threw out a shot in the dark and started a social media page for the mill.
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I knew that's what I wanted to call it right off the bat, and um kind of just threw out there like, hey, if you want to be a part of this, like here's a job application.
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And I brought in like the best human beings, several of them who are still with me since our very first day.
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And now we have a team of 19 women all working with me.
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Yeah, so we've grown very, very quickly.
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We're about to hit two years in October.
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So yes, it was it's been a while.
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So I know that's a long, long story, but it kind of was a lot of steps to get here.
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And and then New Boston happened by fate.
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So 19 team members in two years, yes, yes.
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So I have that's not all full-time.
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Um, myself, and then two other of my girls are full-time, and then we have a lot of part-time.
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Some of them teach or work, you know, up to I would say 30 hours a week, and then there's some who work four hours a week, you know, a couple classes a week.
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So it really does depend.
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But yeah, I have an amazing, amazing crew of people, and I feel like every day I get uh someone else who's like, let me know when a spot opens.
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And people want to be a part of this, and from not only a client perspective, but from a team perspective, and like that in of itself is just warms my heart.
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Like I've now had two people quit their full-time jobs to jump on to come on with me full-time.
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That just warms my heart.
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That's one of those aha moments where you're just like, this is why I do it.
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Like, people actually want to do this with me, and that is so cool.
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I am guessing that part of the reason they want to do it with you is you have a um, I like this is the first time I've met you.
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This is the first time we've chatted, but you give off your love for what you're doing, your love for helping people, and you have a beautiful personality.
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And I bet that that is part of why people want to work with you.
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That's so sweet.
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I hope so.
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I I think too, it it comes back to being a human first, like being a therapist first.
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And that's the way I try to lead my team is like, what do I, what didn't I get as a as a prior employee?
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Because I had plenty of jobs, not necessarily PT jobs, but I had lots of jobs before starting this.
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What did I want out of my boss?
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And I just try to lead them in that way and provide opportunities of like those opportunities that I wished for, I craved.
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Like that is what I want to give back.
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And that has been by far one of the coolest things about growing the mill is that piece.
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And that's been so unexpected, I think, for me, because I never really knew what this could evolve into.
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That's just amazing to me that you've grown so much.
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Do you are you at capacity or are you still able to grow and increase attendance?
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Yeah, so in Windat, we opened our Windat studio in October of 2024.
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And since then, we've definitely had a steady, inclined growth since the very beginning.
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I feel like we've just gained such a such a following here.
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I wouldn't say we are at capacity yet.
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I would say we're approaching capacity, but I'm the type of person where I will find a way because I don't want this to feel I I don't believe in the places where it's like, oh, there's a wait list.
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You gotta this exclusive type club feel.
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I never want the mill to feel like that.
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I want it to feel like an open door and a new friend.
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And so I will find a way to fit those in.
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I mean, that's that's how I am as a therapist too.
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Even when I say I'm full, I can't see anyone, I can't take on another person, someone who's in need who calls me, I will find a way.
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I will find a way to get them in.
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If someone's in pain, hurting, whatever, our doors are always open.
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But kind of being more realistic here, yes, we are we are growing quickly in Windot.
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And I foresee needing a larger space eventually.
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Like I said, when I signed my lease in Windot, I didn't expect it to be anyone other than me.
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And now we've grown so much.
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So definitely there.
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But New Boston opening was such a blessing.
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Like I said, it was total fate.
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I mean, it was a lot of things that fell into place in front of me.
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And I'm just such a believer that, you know, everything happens for a reason.
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And the building that we are at in New Boston is owned by one of my yoga instructors and her husband.
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And it was just a complete perfect opportunity that fell into my lap.
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And with that space, I did have more of the foresight of like what we could grow into.
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So that space I'm not so concerned about with capacity right now because there's still much more we can create there and grow because I had that foresight.
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But why not?
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It definitely is a little different.
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So when you realized there was a gap and you decided that I'm gonna fill the gap, how did you get word out that you were offering something different that didn't exist downriver?
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And how did people find you?
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Yeah.
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So one of my first Instagram posts on the Mills page was we're not run of the mill.
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And it's a total play on words.
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And our name, I think to kind of get into that, our name really everyone assumes it's because of my last name.
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It really is something a lot deeper.
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It's actually an oxymoron or a contradiction to this system that we've created in healthcare and also in the fitness space of these like mill-like places where it's like, how many people can we get in?
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It's all about quantity, not quality.
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And so I wanted to take this idea that in the PT world, like PTs always can spot a PT mill, which is like your classic insurance-driven space where your therapist might spend five to 10 minutes saying hi to you during your visit, and you're kind of tossed off to the to attack and not getting real individualized personalized care.
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That's a term we use in PT a lot, is these PT mills.
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And I wanted to take that and kind of just flip it upside down.
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So we are like the anti-male mill in the sense that like our PT and our fitness, it's individualized to you.
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Our class sizes are intentionally small, our care is intentionally holistic.
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We look at everything, we try to find a root cause, like functional medicine from a PT lens because that's what's missing.
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So the name of the mill kind of kick started people being like, Yeah, I did notice that my PT experience was like that.
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And I don't want to seek out that type of care, or and also I don't want to work for a place like that.
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And so all of our trainers here are intentionally picked.
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I think some people might think that my like interview process or my background check is a little bit extra.
00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:15.440
I just take so much intense, I put so much intention into that because that's people's lives, that's their health, and that's their longevity.
00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:22.880
And I want my team to be rock solid and amazing, and I want to feel so confident that they're the right fit.
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:32.000
So I like to say all of our trainers, all of them, as part of their very first question I ask them is like, what makes you not run of the mill?
00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.920
Like, what makes you different?
00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.359
How are you different?
00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:40.319
That's where we thrive, and that's where I want our team to forever thrive.
00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:45.359
That's such a great first question for your particular business.
00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.079
I love it.
00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:52.559
You know who you remind me of, and I think you guys might have ties, Emily of the Therapy Collective of Michigan.
00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.480
Yes, I love Emily.
00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:57.359
Yes, I I don't know if you heard her interview.
00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.480
I interviewed her.
00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:08.000
Um, I think she was number one for season two, and you're really reminding me of how she picked her team and how she does things different with her team.
00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:11.920
That's kind of the impression that I'm getting from you as well.
00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.200
I love Emily.
00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:15.279
So I met Emily actually through the mill.
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.759
She started coming to classes here, and we like instantly clicked.
00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.799
But she has now launched her consulting, business consulting and coaching program.
00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:32.400
And um, even though you know that's more geared for mental health therapists, I jokingly am always saying to her, she's like, You can call me your business mentor, Hannah.
00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:34.799
I'm like, no, but you're my business big sister.
00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:39.920
Like, I think that she is just incredible and um so so amazing.
00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.240
So that is the sweetest compliment that I could get.
00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.279
I'm very honored.
00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:45.039
It's genuine, Emily.
00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.759
We love you.
00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:48.319
Yeah, we'll just throw that out there for her surpriser.
00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:53.359
Well, I think this is pretty exciting that you've accomplished all this in two years.
00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:56.880
And how long has it been since you graduated from grad school?
00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.880
So I graduated in 2022.
00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:01.599
So very done this really quickly, yeah.
00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.640
Yes, yeah.
00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.680
That's fantastic.
00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:06.880
Do you feel like people ever look down at you for being young?
00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.079
Absolutely.
00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:10.799
I think I think it has its pros and cons.
00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:18.799
I think that there's an aspect of like, um, oh, she's young, she is as a therapist, I guess more specifically.
00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:26.480
Oh, she's young, she has the most up-to-date evidence, she has the cutting-edge, you know, knowledge that we're teaching students.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:32.799
But then also, like, there's the other end of like experience, which is so important.
00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:35.599
But I think I really just own it.
00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:39.440
I'm always honest, and I'm 27 years old.
00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:42.799
Like, I'm a baby business owner, I'm still a baby therapist.
00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:49.920
I think what I may lack in experience, I make up for in resilience and grit.
00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:55.759
And like I'm the type of therapist that I get irritated if I can't figure something out.
00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.599
And that's how I am in business too.
00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:59.759
If I can't figure something out, I'm going to.
00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:11.039
Obsess and find a way, I think my dedication there might make up for experience because if I don't know the answer, I will find an answer.
00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.880
I can tell that about you just by the way you've been talking about your business.
00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:19.839
It's it's difficult being a young female entrepreneur, especially.
00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:33.039
I've talked a lot about this like in my own therapy, just with like being at a different stage of like, I don't necessarily fit into these tables that I often sit at with other business owners, being the youngest at the table.
00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:45.519
Yeah, also I can find myself with my friends and stuff just being in a different state of, well, I'm getting calls when I'm out with friends because someone forgot their key and teaches class in 15 minutes and I have to find a way.
00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.400
You know what I mean?
00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:54.160
So I definitely get pulled in between both often, but I still like wouldn't change a thing for the world.
00:22:54.160 --> 00:23:06.880
And I love being able to represent like in young people in business, but then also like encourage other people that are my age that like you don't have to wait for the right time.
00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:14.480
Like there never will be a right time if you have passion and purpose, like and want to do this, like you can absolutely do it.
00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.880
I hope someone listening takes that to heart.
00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.920
Yes, me too.
00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.680
What kind of classes do you offer?
00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:25.440
I know you have your physical therapy side, and then you have your you call it functional fitness, I think, on your website.
00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.640
So what kind of classes?
00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:29.119
Yeah, so we have um strength training.
00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:36.720
So we have a full weight room and we do a lot of like free weights, functional movements, just meaning um movements that you do in day-to-day life.
00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:44.799
So squats, presses, um, hinges, all those movements that we need to be strong in to live a strong, long, and healthy life.
00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:50.400
We also offer bar classes, Pilates classes, yoga.
00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:55.519
Um, we do um a special class that is called Hero Board classes.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:58.079
It's kind of like a pocket reformer.
00:23:58.079 --> 00:24:05.359
Um, we're one of the first studios actually in the country to offer hero board Pilates as a um certified studio.
00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.640
So that's really cool.
00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:10.559
And then we offer a lot of like perinatal classes.
00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.319
So prenatal yoga.
00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:17.200
We have a pre and postnatal strength class called Bumps Babies and Barbells.
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.480
That is just my love.
00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:26.160
It's a bring your baby to class workout, which is amazing, and connect with other moms in that similar season.
00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:35.200
And then I would say our class that really, really makes us stand out and that is kind of an accident that it even hit our schedule is called Pelvicor.
00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.119
It's been my passion project.
00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:51.359
It's basically a strength class meets Matt Pilates, meets Matt Yoga, meets PT, and it's all geared towards pelvic floor, deep core, and all the muscles around it.
00:24:51.359 --> 00:25:10.400
So I say it's the class that every woman should take because it really gives you such a stronger foundation, and it's a way that I've been able to make pelvic floor therapy or pieces of pelvic floor therapy more accessible to our community for those who can't maybe participate one-on-one in therapy.
00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:18.160
That we have this class offering, and it's been so cool because I mean I've had clients like tell me, like, oh, I stopped leaking urine as much.
00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:25.519
Um, I'm not wearing as many pads because I'm not having as many episodes of incontinence simply after taking that class.
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.680
Um, and I just think that is so cool.
00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:30.559
That one's led by our pelvic floor therapist only, though.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:47.680
You mentioned earlier that you're very intentional, and I can hear it in all of the things that you just talked about and how you put a lot of thought into them before I'm imagining you put a lot of thought into them before you presented them and let it let people start joining the classes.
00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.960
Yeah, yeah.
00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:54.480
I just sat down and this was before I even knew Chat GPT existed.
00:25:54.480 --> 00:26:10.160
So, like, truly, these these names and these foundational classes that we offer, like those came from my heart and came from my heart from a standpoint of I'm a PT, what keeps people healthy, what keeps people moving, but also what's fun.
00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:15.839
Because what's fun is what keeps people doing it, and what keeps people doing it keeps people out of therapy.
00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.359
So it's like this cycle.
00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.480
I love that.
00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.480
So I'm 53.
00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:31.759
So I'm in that space of seeing things online about the increase in awareness of strength training for women during perimenopause and after menopause.
00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:36.480
Have you noticed that over your two years of being in business?
00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:40.559
Do you have a large population of women that age that are coming to you for help?
00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.000
A hundred percent.
00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:50.160
Um, we have women here who range in age from their teens all the way to their late 70s.
00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:53.119
Like our clients are all different ages.
00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:58.240
I would say our most of our clients are in that like 30 to 60 age range.
00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:10.640
But I definitely think there's been a huge boom of this strength training versus Pilates movement because Pilates has really gained a ton of attention, which is amazing.
00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:23.279
I think anything to get women in fitness spaces in the gym is what is needed because for so long women didn't feel comfortable in gyms, which is really, you know, it's amazing that we have these things.
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:29.680
But also, like there is nothing that can replace traditional strength training benefits.
00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:38.319
Science continuously proves over and over again that women not only should be in the weight room, they need to be for their bone health.
00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:52.000
Um, and and that's kind of where it all comes to a uh a point is this hormone, bone, and perimenopause, menopause area of, I guess, trends on on social media is really where it starts.
00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:55.200
But I'm really excited because it it is a trending topic.
00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:59.759
And I think more and more people are seeking out spaces like this.
00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:15.039
And even in creating our physical space, that was one thing when I was designing, like what or envisioning, I guess, what I wanted this space to look like was like I didn't want it to feel like a gym because for so long women didn't feel comfortable in gyms.
00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:21.359
I wanted it to feel like this boutique fancy, like you, you're like spa-like experience.
00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:24.960
And I think even, and that's goes for our PT and our fitness.
00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:35.839
Our our weight room is like so aesthetically beautiful, but it's because like I want you to feel welcome right from day one because of the health benefits of strength training.
00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:41.920
We're not doing like all the, we don't need all the chalk everywhere and the super loud heavy metal music.
00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.960
Like we could, we can have it be our little girly spot too.
00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.759
I love that.
00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:50.319
Hannah, do you have something coming down the road for the mill that you're excited about?
00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:56.319
We are going to have our second birthday officially in October.
00:28:56.319 --> 00:29:06.960
I don't have a date yet, but last year for our birthday, I wanted to start something really special to do every year on our birthday of the mill, not just the mill windup, but just like of the mill.
00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:20.079
And what we do is we well, I come up with a word that speaks to that year prior and then find some type of nonprofit to give back to.
00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:22.079
And I created merch last year.
00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:35.920
So last year our word was unbreakable because we had so many clients at the studio and myself and my personal life to just going through some pretty difficult, unimaginable things, yet still showing up, still being unbreakable.
00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:44.960
And so we gave a portion of the proceeds to a nonprofit that helps pay for mental health services for those in need.
00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.160
So that was really cool.
00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:51.759
And actually, this past weekend, I had my aha moment of our word this year.
00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:56.240
So I'm so excited to like launch that and announce that.
00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:00.000
And it just feels like Christmas to me, I think, um, being able to do that.
00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:03.440
So I thought of our nonprofit and I'm just excited to kind of get that going.
00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:08.799
I don't know what date you're going to choose, but this is going to be September 11th.
00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.599
Oh, awesome.
00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:12.240
Yeah, I'll definitely have our date by then.
00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:14.480
Um, and I'll circle back to you too.
00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:17.119
Um, but it should be sometime in mid-October.
00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.599
All right.
00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:19.599
So it's time for our lightning round.
00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.319
Are you ready?
00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:21.039
I'm ready.
00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.240
Coffee or tea?
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.880
Coffee.
00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.880
Early bird or night owl?
00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.839
Night owl.
00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:29.200
Do you have a tool or app that helps you running your business?
00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.960
No, just a lot of caffeine.
00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.440
All right.
00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:33.279
Well, that's your tool then, right?
00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.920
Right.
00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.039
Yeah, I guess that is.
00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:38.480
Do you have a favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:42.400
Definitely a big bowl of popcorn and really bad TV.
00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.119
Alrighty.
00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:44.480
A lot of women have said that.
00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.279
Really?
00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:47.200
That's disconnect.
00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.759
Yes.
00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:52.079
And then do you have another female entrepreneur that you'd like to give a highlight to?
00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:52.799
Definitely.
00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.759
I thought about this.
00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:56.960
Um, Sarah from Haven Wellness.
00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:04.160
Um, she's a good friend of mine, but she's also who pushed me to take the leap of faith and start my own business.
00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:08.319
Um, I actually rented space from her at the very beginning.
00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:14.720
So I always like to say, like, I did this, but Sarah gave me an opportunity and gave me the push that I needed.
00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:17.920
And her story is absolutely incredible.
00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.279
She's an incredible human.
00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:21.359
So she'd be an amazing person to have on here.
00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:21.920
Awesome.
00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.359
Sounds like I need to connect with her.
00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:29.680
If someone else wanted to start their own physical location, what is one piece of advice that you'd give them?
00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.960
Do it scared.
00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.839
Just do it.
00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:34.960
I think there never is the right time.
00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:41.039
You're always gonna have someone who questions you, doubts you, makes you doubt yourself.
00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:48.799
And you have to just take that first step and be comfortable with learning how to figure things out along the way.
00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:55.599
You're not gonna have all the tools at first, but if you have a purpose and a passion, then you can do anything.
00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.400
So just start.
00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.519
That's great advice.
00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:00.640
And Hannah, where can people find the mill on social media?
00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:09.279
Yeah, so we're on Facebook as the MillMichigan, and then on Instagram, we're at the mill underscore MI.
00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:12.319
And you have an amazingly beautiful website.
00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.839
Can you give people that website?
00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.559
Of course.
00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:17.599
Our website is themillichigan.com.
00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:18.960
It's a beautiful site.
00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:23.839
So I'll be sure that all of that is in the show notes so everyone can follow the links.
00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:31.440
And speaking of show notes, you can also find the link to subscribe to the podcast's newsletter so you can eat get each conversation delivered.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:37.359
And right now, there's some really pretty quote cards that are there.
00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:41.440
10 quote cards from guests of season one and season two.
00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:43.759
So that's a gift when you sign up for the newsletter.
00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:46.559
Hannah, thank you so much for joining us today.
00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.279
Thank you.
00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:49.119
Thanks so much for having me, Jenny.
00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:50.799
I really, really appreciate it.
00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:54.880
Uh, I had a lot of fun speaking with you and I appreciate your time conversation.
00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.759
Of course.
00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:58.000
Audience, thank you so much for listening today.
00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:06.880
And if you'd like to know what Hannah and I discuss after the episode ends, you can head on over to the After the Highlight Collection on Patreon.
00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:01.679
I'm 27 years old.
00:00:01.679 --> 00:00:03.439
Like, I'm a baby business owner.
00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:05.200
I'm still a baby therapist.
00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:12.640
I think what I may lack in experience, I make up for in resilience and grit.
00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:15.439
Hi everyone, and welcome to Highlight Her.
00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:19.519
Before we get into the episode, I invite you to hit that follow button.
00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:25.280
It helps the show get delivered into your feed and it's a free way to support the podcast.
00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:32.719
Today's featured guest is Hannah Mills of The Mill in Wyandotte and New Boston, Michigan, in the United States.
00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:37.600
The Mill is a beautiful space that houses physical therapy and functional fitness.
00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:43.439
I'm really excited to chat with Hannah because multiple people told me she needed to be on the podcast.
00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:48.320
Let's get started and add her to the Highlight Her Circle of Season 3.
00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:49.200
Hi, Hannah.
00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:51.119
Thank you very much for joining us today.
00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:52.159
Hi, Jenny.
00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:53.679
Thanks so much for having me.
00:00:53.679 --> 00:01:01.039
Before we get started, what we do have a couple typical highlight her questions that I ask in the beginning.
00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:04.799
So, first, what do you think is your superpower as an entrepreneur?
00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:06.159
Yeah, good question.
00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:12.159
I think that my superpower is actually that I'm not necessarily a business person.
00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:18.719
Um, a little fun fact about me is that I have never taken a business course.
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:24.719
I didn't take like any interest in business, like in marketing or like growing up.
00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:27.599
Like I had a lot of friends in DECA in high school and things like that.
00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:30.239
And like that was just never part of my journey.
00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:32.959
I never saw myself opening a business.
00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:35.200
Um, so I didn't really pursue those things.
00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:49.359
But I think that in the grand scheme of things, it has really made me actually a better business owner because I come to my business as like a clinician, as a therapist first, just putting people first.
00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:54.159
And I just I'm constantly asking myself, well, how can I be better?
00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:56.000
How can I show up differently?
00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:02.000
Um, what can I do to provide a service, fill a niche in the community that is needed?
00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:04.319
And that's kind of been my philosophy from day one.
00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:10.319
So I think that's like my business superpower is actually being a therapist more than actually a business person.
00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:12.000
I love that insight.
00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:14.479
It sounds like it's really working well for you.
00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:15.840
Definitely so far.
00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.280
It makes it challenging at times, like not having that background.
00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:26.080
And I mean, now I really seek out different business resources, but it's not innately in me.
00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:28.960
But I again, I think it's just what makes me different.
00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:38.800
And then my other question that I like to ask guests before we get into their story have you recently had a moment where you thought, this is why I do this?
00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:39.680
Definitely.
00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:45.520
I mean, I feel like I get to have those moments every day because I still see patients.
00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.960
So I do a little bit of everything for my business.
00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.520
I get to work one-on-one with patients.
00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:56.479
I still teach group classes, so I interact with our fitness clients all the time.
00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:01.199
I'm in and out of the studio, and now I'm leading a team of amazing women.
00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:04.080
Um, so I wear a lot of hats in a day.
00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:17.360
And every day I feel like it's a different category of the business where I feel like, you know, when when I start to feel, oh, I'm getting too busy, I can't take on any more patience, or I can't do more.
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:27.840
I have a patient tell me something that they were able to do that they weren't able to do the week before or the months before, or in some cases in their entire life, that they're reaching these goals.
00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.360
And it just reminds me, you know, this is why I work so hard.
00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:33.439
This is why I created this space.
00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:38.479
And then too, just like um watching my team grow and the different opportunities that they've had.
00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:45.120
And every time I see them win, I feel a win and a sense of pride too to be working alongside them.
00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:49.360
So I feel like those moments happen honestly on a day-to-day basis.
00:03:49.360 --> 00:04:03.919
Um, for me, one one thing that I'm thinking just really more specifically off the top of my head is um we are doing a summer strength challenge for our fitness crew here in our private Facebook group for that.
00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:14.879
I had just posted last week about shout out someone who is in your class and point out something that they did well, cheer them on, give them a give them a little boost.
00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:19.360
And I hit I was reading these comments from these women with tears rolling down my face.
00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:32.959
Like just seeing the way that um, you know, amidst all the seasons that we all as individuals face and you can still show up and still show up for someone else and support them, um, is such a beautiful thing, and it is why I do what I do.
00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:34.800
So long answer there.
00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:36.560
No, I love it.
00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:45.759
I I think it's great that like when you said someone doing something that they've never done in their life, that must be so rewarding.
00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:46.240
Yeah.
00:04:46.480 --> 00:05:00.000
And then to see your group of women just cheering each other on and shouting out, I I really love that aspect that you didn't say, tell us something great that you did today, because I'm sure you do that as well.
00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:05.199
But just to let these women see someone else sees my strength.
00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:08.720
And this is something that I've achieved and they notice it.
00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:09.279
Yes.
00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:14.879
And I think we're as women, we are the harshest critics of ourselves all the time.
00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:25.360
And so to have someone else recognize that in you, it helps you be able to recognize that in yourself too, which is exactly why I did that.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:26.399
Absolutely.
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:28.560
So let's go back to the beginning.
00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:32.720
Can you tell us a little bit about what the mill is specifically?
00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:37.360
And then tell us how you just decided one day, hey, let's start this.
00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:39.199
How far back do we go?
00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.639
Um far as you want.
00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.600
As far as you want.
00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:42.000
Okay.
00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.360
Um, so I uh grew up in Wyandotte.
00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:46.720
I went to Roosevelt.
00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:48.480
Wyandotte's been my home.
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:52.079
I met my high school sweetheart there, who's now my husband.
00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:55.600
I went to the University of Michigan for undergrad.
00:05:55.600 --> 00:06:00.399
And I really had a calling to a healthcare field.
00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:05.439
I just knew that I had a servant's heart and I wanted to help others.
00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:07.839
And I grew up playing sports.
00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:19.519
So physical therapy felt like a very close thing that, you know, would keep me in that fit, active world, but also tie in the healthcare helping aspect.
00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:26.000
When I was at U of M, I had joined the physical therapy club we had on campus.
00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:31.920
And I will never forget this women's health PT pelvic floor therapist came in and talked to us.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.600
And that was a branch of PT that I had never heard of.
00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:41.199
I always thought PT was like sports and my grandparents kind of thing.
00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.680
So I was really open to this world.
00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:51.439
And before I think I ever envisioned myself being a PT, I really envisioned myself being a mom.
00:06:51.439 --> 00:07:01.600
So tying the love of helping women through motherhood, helping moms specifically, seemed so full circle for me.
00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:06.639
I don't have kids right now, but it's definitely something that I hope to eventually have.
00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:12.240
Right now, I jokingly say I have two kids, which are Wyandotte and New Boston, um, who take up a lot of my time.
00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:16.480
But I'll just say, I fell into this world kind of by accident.
00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:27.439
And I started looking at PT from the lens of sports and why are women tearing their ACL during a certain phase of their menstrual cycle.
00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:38.000
And that just kind of segued into this hormonal women's health shift and looking into hormones and then the interest of motherhood and all that.
00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:50.160
And so then I really started to look into like pelvic floor therapy and I thought, oh, like that's really, really sounds weird, but like it it seems like a very needed service.
00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:58.480
And as my time through U of M when I graduated U of M, I by the time I got to grad school, I went to Baylor in Texas.
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.079
I was a hundred percent, I was like, I know what I want to do.
00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:06.800
I want to be a physical therapist and I want to specialize in women's health and pelvic floor therapy.
00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:08.639
So I am a nerd.
00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:20.079
So of course I enrolled in additional courses in addition to grad school to really pour myself into pelvic floor therapy and pre and postnatal therapy and exercise specialists.
00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:22.079
And I just was enamored by it.
00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.279
I mean, I loved it.
00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:29.040
It felt not like work, it didn't feel like schoolwork, it just felt like a calling.
00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:36.720
So when I graduated PT school, I started working at a private practice.
00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:41.039
And, you know, I really saw myself working there forever.
00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:43.200
I thought it was my dream job.
00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:47.279
I was going to be able to do women's health and public floor therapy.
00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:51.360
Um, and at the time I was also working at a fitness studio part-time.
00:08:51.360 --> 00:09:05.919
So as things kind of went on, I started to realize that this wasn't the space that I felt that I could help people in the way that I felt called to do, which was really to like bridge this gap between fitness and physical therapy.
00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:15.679
Because I think all too often people are sent to PT and then they usually it's their insurance company that says, hey, you don't need PT anymore.
00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:17.200
We're not covering it.
00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.360
And you kind of get kicked out.
00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:26.720
And a lot of times then you're you're passed off to fitness that you're not really ready for.
00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:29.039
You're kind of told, oh, just go to the gym.
00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:31.120
And there's a huge gap.
00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:49.039
And I felt like that was an area that I really, really wanted to bridge that gap because that's what helps people and that's what keeps people out of PT in the long run, is having that fitness backbone, staying active, staying movement, moving, but then also having the support when needed.
00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:52.720
So really, there aren't many places doing that.
00:09:52.720 --> 00:10:03.600
And my solution to the problem was honestly just creating it, creating a place and not to get into all the details, I guess, of leaving my last job.
00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:10.720
But I had an entrepreneur really close to me who's a good friend now, just kind of in the back of my ear, being like, Hannah, you can do this.
00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:13.919
Like never it, there's never right time.
00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:18.720
People are gonna doubt you, people are gonna question you, but like you should at least try.
00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:21.519
And I was so scared.
00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:31.679
I talked to my boss about switching to part-time, and I started seeing patients on the side actually out of another local wind-up business called Haven Wellness.
00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:42.639
From there, I started to build a caseload and like really notice the need that downriver has for women's health and pelvic floor therapy.
00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:50.000
I mean, we are a desert, and I was working in the Ann Arbor area before, which has a lot more resources.
00:10:50.000 --> 00:11:00.559
Still, we need more, but downriver, I just felt this especial callback, and my patient caseload really started to increase quickly.
00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:04.159
And that's when I kind of started to go down that fitness rabbit hole.
00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:10.320
So, a couple months later, about six months later, I signed a lease for my own full-time space.
00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:16.240
And when I signed that lease in Windot, I fully intended on doing this by myself.
00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:23.440
I was gonna run fitness classes, I was gonna see personal training clients still here, and then I was also gonna see PT clients.
00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:26.000
And I will never forget this day.
00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:33.200
I sat down, I wrote out what is the perfect gym schedule with classes and when am I gonna put in patients?
00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:36.960
And I looked at it and I was like, when am I gonna sleep?
00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.240
Because that was just not going to happen.
00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:45.279
I kind of threw out a shot in the dark and started a social media page for the mill.
00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:57.440
I knew that's what I wanted to call it right off the bat, and um kind of just threw out there like, hey, if you want to be a part of this, like here's a job application.
00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:06.159
And I brought in like the best human beings, several of them who are still with me since our very first day.
00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:10.799
And now we have a team of 19 women all working with me.
00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:13.360
Yeah, so we've grown very, very quickly.
00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.840
We're about to hit two years in October.
00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:19.120
So yes, it was it's been a while.
00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:23.759
So I know that's a long, long story, but it kind of was a lot of steps to get here.
00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:26.399
And and then New Boston happened by fate.
00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:31.120
So 19 team members in two years, yes, yes.
00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:34.000
So I have that's not all full-time.
00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:41.759
Um, myself, and then two other of my girls are full-time, and then we have a lot of part-time.
00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:51.039
Some of them teach or work, you know, up to I would say 30 hours a week, and then there's some who work four hours a week, you know, a couple classes a week.
00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.159
So it really does depend.
00:12:52.159 --> 00:13:01.519
But yeah, I have an amazing, amazing crew of people, and I feel like every day I get uh someone else who's like, let me know when a spot opens.
00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:11.519
And people want to be a part of this, and from not only a client perspective, but from a team perspective, and like that in of itself is just warms my heart.
00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:18.080
Like I've now had two people quit their full-time jobs to jump on to come on with me full-time.
00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.200
That just warms my heart.
00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:22.320
That's one of those aha moments where you're just like, this is why I do it.
00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:25.759
Like, people actually want to do this with me, and that is so cool.
00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:33.360
I am guessing that part of the reason they want to do it with you is you have a um, I like this is the first time I've met you.
00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:41.600
This is the first time we've chatted, but you give off your love for what you're doing, your love for helping people, and you have a beautiful personality.
00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:45.039
And I bet that that is part of why people want to work with you.
00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.159
That's so sweet.
00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.960
I hope so.
00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:53.200
I I think too, it it comes back to being a human first, like being a therapist first.
00:13:53.200 --> 00:14:01.360
And that's the way I try to lead my team is like, what do I, what didn't I get as a as a prior employee?
00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:06.480
Because I had plenty of jobs, not necessarily PT jobs, but I had lots of jobs before starting this.
00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:08.480
What did I want out of my boss?
00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:17.600
And I just try to lead them in that way and provide opportunities of like those opportunities that I wished for, I craved.
00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:20.080
Like that is what I want to give back.
00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:25.919
And that has been by far one of the coolest things about growing the mill is that piece.
00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:32.720
And that's been so unexpected, I think, for me, because I never really knew what this could evolve into.
00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:35.519
That's just amazing to me that you've grown so much.
00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:41.919
Do you are you at capacity or are you still able to grow and increase attendance?
00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:48.399
Yeah, so in Windat, we opened our Windat studio in October of 2024.
00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:54.080
And since then, we've definitely had a steady, inclined growth since the very beginning.
00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:57.519
I feel like we've just gained such a such a following here.
00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.120
I wouldn't say we are at capacity yet.
00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:14.960
I would say we're approaching capacity, but I'm the type of person where I will find a way because I don't want this to feel I I don't believe in the places where it's like, oh, there's a wait list.
00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:19.679
You gotta this exclusive type club feel.
00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:21.759
I never want the mill to feel like that.
00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:26.240
I want it to feel like an open door and a new friend.
00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:29.440
And so I will find a way to fit those in.
00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:32.080
I mean, that's that's how I am as a therapist too.
00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:41.840
Even when I say I'm full, I can't see anyone, I can't take on another person, someone who's in need who calls me, I will find a way.
00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:43.360
I will find a way to get them in.
00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:46.799
If someone's in pain, hurting, whatever, our doors are always open.
00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:52.559
But kind of being more realistic here, yes, we are we are growing quickly in Windot.
00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:55.840
And I foresee needing a larger space eventually.
00:15:55.840 --> 00:16:01.120
Like I said, when I signed my lease in Windot, I didn't expect it to be anyone other than me.
00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.720
And now we've grown so much.
00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.159
So definitely there.
00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:07.360
But New Boston opening was such a blessing.
00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.679
Like I said, it was total fate.
00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:13.600
I mean, it was a lot of things that fell into place in front of me.
00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:18.639
And I'm just such a believer that, you know, everything happens for a reason.
00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:25.919
And the building that we are at in New Boston is owned by one of my yoga instructors and her husband.
00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:31.519
And it was just a complete perfect opportunity that fell into my lap.
00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:37.600
And with that space, I did have more of the foresight of like what we could grow into.
00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:47.679
So that space I'm not so concerned about with capacity right now because there's still much more we can create there and grow because I had that foresight.
00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.480
But why not?
00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.639
It definitely is a little different.
00:16:50.960 --> 00:17:04.480
So when you realized there was a gap and you decided that I'm gonna fill the gap, how did you get word out that you were offering something different that didn't exist downriver?
00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.720
And how did people find you?
00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.359
Yeah.
00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:13.039
So one of my first Instagram posts on the Mills page was we're not run of the mill.
00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.599
And it's a total play on words.
00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:23.039
And our name, I think to kind of get into that, our name really everyone assumes it's because of my last name.
00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.880
It really is something a lot deeper.
00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:38.559
It's actually an oxymoron or a contradiction to this system that we've created in healthcare and also in the fitness space of these like mill-like places where it's like, how many people can we get in?
00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:41.759
It's all about quantity, not quality.
00:17:41.759 --> 00:18:05.599
And so I wanted to take this idea that in the PT world, like PTs always can spot a PT mill, which is like your classic insurance-driven space where your therapist might spend five to 10 minutes saying hi to you during your visit, and you're kind of tossed off to the to attack and not getting real individualized personalized care.
00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:09.519
That's a term we use in PT a lot, is these PT mills.
00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:12.880
And I wanted to take that and kind of just flip it upside down.
00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:21.440
So we are like the anti-male mill in the sense that like our PT and our fitness, it's individualized to you.
00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:27.839
Our class sizes are intentionally small, our care is intentionally holistic.
00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:36.000
We look at everything, we try to find a root cause, like functional medicine from a PT lens because that's what's missing.
00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:46.480
So the name of the mill kind of kick started people being like, Yeah, I did notice that my PT experience was like that.
00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:53.519
And I don't want to seek out that type of care, or and also I don't want to work for a place like that.
00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:58.079
And so all of our trainers here are intentionally picked.
00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:06.000
I think some people might think that my like interview process or my background check is a little bit extra.
00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:15.440
I just take so much intense, I put so much intention into that because that's people's lives, that's their health, and that's their longevity.
00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:22.880
And I want my team to be rock solid and amazing, and I want to feel so confident that they're the right fit.
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:32.000
So I like to say all of our trainers, all of them, as part of their very first question I ask them is like, what makes you not run of the mill?
00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.920
Like, what makes you different?
00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.359
How are you different?
00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:40.319
That's where we thrive, and that's where I want our team to forever thrive.
00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:45.359
That's such a great first question for your particular business.
00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.079
I love it.
00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:52.559
You know who you remind me of, and I think you guys might have ties, Emily of the Therapy Collective of Michigan.
00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.480
Yes, I love Emily.
00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:57.359
Yes, I I don't know if you heard her interview.
00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.480
I interviewed her.
00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:08.000
Um, I think she was number one for season two, and you're really reminding me of how she picked her team and how she does things different with her team.
00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:11.920
That's kind of the impression that I'm getting from you as well.
00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.200
I love Emily.
00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:15.279
So I met Emily actually through the mill.
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.759
She started coming to classes here, and we like instantly clicked.
00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.799
But she has now launched her consulting, business consulting and coaching program.
00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:32.400
And um, even though you know that's more geared for mental health therapists, I jokingly am always saying to her, she's like, You can call me your business mentor, Hannah.
00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:34.799
I'm like, no, but you're my business big sister.
00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:39.920
Like, I think that she is just incredible and um so so amazing.
00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.240
So that is the sweetest compliment that I could get.
00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.279
I'm very honored.
00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:45.039
It's genuine, Emily.
00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.759
We love you.
00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:48.319
Yeah, we'll just throw that out there for her surpriser.
00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:53.359
Well, I think this is pretty exciting that you've accomplished all this in two years.
00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:56.880
And how long has it been since you graduated from grad school?
00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.880
So I graduated in 2022.
00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:01.599
So very done this really quickly, yeah.
00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.640
Yes, yeah.
00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.680
That's fantastic.
00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:06.880
Do you feel like people ever look down at you for being young?
00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.079
Absolutely.
00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:10.799
I think I think it has its pros and cons.
00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:18.799
I think that there's an aspect of like, um, oh, she's young, she is as a therapist, I guess more specifically.
00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:26.480
Oh, she's young, she has the most up-to-date evidence, she has the cutting-edge, you know, knowledge that we're teaching students.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:32.799
But then also, like, there's the other end of like experience, which is so important.
00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:35.599
But I think I really just own it.
00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:39.440
I'm always honest, and I'm 27 years old.
00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:42.799
Like, I'm a baby business owner, I'm still a baby therapist.
00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:49.920
I think what I may lack in experience, I make up for in resilience and grit.
00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:55.759
And like I'm the type of therapist that I get irritated if I can't figure something out.
00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.599
And that's how I am in business too.
00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:59.759
If I can't figure something out, I'm going to.
00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:11.039
Obsess and find a way, I think my dedication there might make up for experience because if I don't know the answer, I will find an answer.
00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.880
I can tell that about you just by the way you've been talking about your business.
00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:19.839
It's it's difficult being a young female entrepreneur, especially.
00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:33.039
I've talked a lot about this like in my own therapy, just with like being at a different stage of like, I don't necessarily fit into these tables that I often sit at with other business owners, being the youngest at the table.
00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:45.519
Yeah, also I can find myself with my friends and stuff just being in a different state of, well, I'm getting calls when I'm out with friends because someone forgot their key and teaches class in 15 minutes and I have to find a way.
00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.400
You know what I mean?
00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:54.160
So I definitely get pulled in between both often, but I still like wouldn't change a thing for the world.
00:22:54.160 --> 00:23:06.880
And I love being able to represent like in young people in business, but then also like encourage other people that are my age that like you don't have to wait for the right time.
00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:14.480
Like there never will be a right time if you have passion and purpose, like and want to do this, like you can absolutely do it.
00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.880
I hope someone listening takes that to heart.
00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.920
Yes, me too.
00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.680
What kind of classes do you offer?
00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:25.440
I know you have your physical therapy side, and then you have your you call it functional fitness, I think, on your website.
00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.640
So what kind of classes?
00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:29.119
Yeah, so we have um strength training.
00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:36.720
So we have a full weight room and we do a lot of like free weights, functional movements, just meaning um movements that you do in day-to-day life.
00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:44.799
So squats, presses, um, hinges, all those movements that we need to be strong in to live a strong, long, and healthy life.
00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:50.400
We also offer bar classes, Pilates classes, yoga.
00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:55.519
Um, we do um a special class that is called Hero Board classes.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:58.079
It's kind of like a pocket reformer.
00:23:58.079 --> 00:24:05.359
Um, we're one of the first studios actually in the country to offer hero board Pilates as a um certified studio.
00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.640
So that's really cool.
00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:10.559
And then we offer a lot of like perinatal classes.
00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.319
So prenatal yoga.
00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:17.200
We have a pre and postnatal strength class called Bumps Babies and Barbells.
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.480
That is just my love.
00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:26.160
It's a bring your baby to class workout, which is amazing, and connect with other moms in that similar season.
00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:35.200
And then I would say our class that really, really makes us stand out and that is kind of an accident that it even hit our schedule is called Pelvicor.
00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.119
It's been my passion project.
00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:51.359
It's basically a strength class meets Matt Pilates, meets Matt Yoga, meets PT, and it's all geared towards pelvic floor, deep core, and all the muscles around it.
00:24:51.359 --> 00:25:10.400
So I say it's the class that every woman should take because it really gives you such a stronger foundation, and it's a way that I've been able to make pelvic floor therapy or pieces of pelvic floor therapy more accessible to our community for those who can't maybe participate one-on-one in therapy.
00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:18.160
That we have this class offering, and it's been so cool because I mean I've had clients like tell me, like, oh, I stopped leaking urine as much.
00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:25.519
Um, I'm not wearing as many pads because I'm not having as many episodes of incontinence simply after taking that class.
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.680
Um, and I just think that is so cool.
00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:30.559
That one's led by our pelvic floor therapist only, though.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:47.680
You mentioned earlier that you're very intentional, and I can hear it in all of the things that you just talked about and how you put a lot of thought into them before I'm imagining you put a lot of thought into them before you presented them and let it let people start joining the classes.
00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.960
Yeah, yeah.
00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:54.480
I just sat down and this was before I even knew Chat GPT existed.
00:25:54.480 --> 00:26:10.160
So, like, truly, these these names and these foundational classes that we offer, like those came from my heart and came from my heart from a standpoint of I'm a PT, what keeps people healthy, what keeps people moving, but also what's fun.
00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:15.839
Because what's fun is what keeps people doing it, and what keeps people doing it keeps people out of therapy.
00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.359
So it's like this cycle.
00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.480
I love that.
00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.480
So I'm 53.
00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:31.759
So I'm in that space of seeing things online about the increase in awareness of strength training for women during perimenopause and after menopause.
00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:36.480
Have you noticed that over your two years of being in business?
00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:40.559
Do you have a large population of women that age that are coming to you for help?
00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.000
A hundred percent.
00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:50.160
Um, we have women here who range in age from their teens all the way to their late 70s.
00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:53.119
Like our clients are all different ages.
00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:58.240
I would say our most of our clients are in that like 30 to 60 age range.
00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:10.640
But I definitely think there's been a huge boom of this strength training versus Pilates movement because Pilates has really gained a ton of attention, which is amazing.
00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:23.279
I think anything to get women in fitness spaces in the gym is what is needed because for so long women didn't feel comfortable in gyms, which is really, you know, it's amazing that we have these things.
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:29.680
But also, like there is nothing that can replace traditional strength training benefits.
00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:38.319
Science continuously proves over and over again that women not only should be in the weight room, they need to be for their bone health.
00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:52.000
Um, and and that's kind of where it all comes to a uh a point is this hormone, bone, and perimenopause, menopause area of, I guess, trends on on social media is really where it starts.
00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:55.200
But I'm really excited because it it is a trending topic.
00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:59.759
And I think more and more people are seeking out spaces like this.
00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:15.039
And even in creating our physical space, that was one thing when I was designing, like what or envisioning, I guess, what I wanted this space to look like was like I didn't want it to feel like a gym because for so long women didn't feel comfortable in gyms.
00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:21.359
I wanted it to feel like this boutique fancy, like you, you're like spa-like experience.
00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:24.960
And I think even, and that's goes for our PT and our fitness.
00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:35.839
Our our weight room is like so aesthetically beautiful, but it's because like I want you to feel welcome right from day one because of the health benefits of strength training.
00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:41.920
We're not doing like all the, we don't need all the chalk everywhere and the super loud heavy metal music.
00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.960
Like we could, we can have it be our little girly spot too.
00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.759
I love that.
00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:50.319
Hannah, do you have something coming down the road for the mill that you're excited about?
00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:56.319
We are going to have our second birthday officially in October.
00:28:56.319 --> 00:29:06.960
I don't have a date yet, but last year for our birthday, I wanted to start something really special to do every year on our birthday of the mill, not just the mill windup, but just like of the mill.
00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:20.079
And what we do is we well, I come up with a word that speaks to that year prior and then find some type of nonprofit to give back to.
00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:22.079
And I created merch last year.
00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:35.920
So last year our word was unbreakable because we had so many clients at the studio and myself and my personal life to just going through some pretty difficult, unimaginable things, yet still showing up, still being unbreakable.
00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:44.960
And so we gave a portion of the proceeds to a nonprofit that helps pay for mental health services for those in need.
00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.160
So that was really cool.
00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:51.759
And actually, this past weekend, I had my aha moment of our word this year.
00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:56.240
So I'm so excited to like launch that and announce that.
00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:00.000
And it just feels like Christmas to me, I think, um, being able to do that.
00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:03.440
So I thought of our nonprofit and I'm just excited to kind of get that going.
00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:08.799
I don't know what date you're going to choose, but this is going to be September 11th.
00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.599
Oh, awesome.
00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:12.240
Yeah, I'll definitely have our date by then.
00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:14.480
Um, and I'll circle back to you too.
00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:17.119
Um, but it should be sometime in mid-October.
00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.599
All right.
00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:19.599
So it's time for our lightning round.
00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.319
Are you ready?
00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:21.039
I'm ready.
00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.240
Coffee or tea?
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.880
Coffee.
00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.880
Early bird or night owl?
00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.839
Night owl.
00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:29.200
Do you have a tool or app that helps you running your business?
00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.960
No, just a lot of caffeine.
00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.440
All right.
00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:33.279
Well, that's your tool then, right?
00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.920
Right.
00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.039
Yeah, I guess that is.
00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:38.480
Do you have a favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:42.400
Definitely a big bowl of popcorn and really bad TV.
00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.119
Alrighty.
00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:44.480
A lot of women have said that.
00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.279
Really?
00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:47.200
That's disconnect.
00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.759
Yes.
00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:52.079
And then do you have another female entrepreneur that you'd like to give a highlight to?
00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:52.799
Definitely.
00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.759
I thought about this.
00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:56.960
Um, Sarah from Haven Wellness.
00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:04.160
Um, she's a good friend of mine, but she's also who pushed me to take the leap of faith and start my own business.
00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:08.319
Um, I actually rented space from her at the very beginning.
00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:14.720
So I always like to say, like, I did this, but Sarah gave me an opportunity and gave me the push that I needed.
00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:17.920
And her story is absolutely incredible.
00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.279
She's an incredible human.
00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:21.359
So she'd be an amazing person to have on here.
00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:21.920
Awesome.
00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.359
Sounds like I need to connect with her.
00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:29.680
If someone else wanted to start their own physical location, what is one piece of advice that you'd give them?
00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.960
Do it scared.
00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.839
Just do it.
00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:34.960
I think there never is the right time.
00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:41.039
You're always gonna have someone who questions you, doubts you, makes you doubt yourself.
00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:48.799
And you have to just take that first step and be comfortable with learning how to figure things out along the way.
00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:55.599
You're not gonna have all the tools at first, but if you have a purpose and a passion, then you can do anything.
00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.400
So just start.
00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.519
That's great advice.
00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:00.640
And Hannah, where can people find the mill on social media?
00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:09.279
Yeah, so we're on Facebook as the MillMichigan, and then on Instagram, we're at the mill underscore MI.
00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:12.319
And you have an amazingly beautiful website.
00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.839
Can you give people that website?
00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.559
Of course.
00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:17.599
Our website is themillichigan.com.
00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:18.960
It's a beautiful site.
00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:23.839
So I'll be sure that all of that is in the show notes so everyone can follow the links.
00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:31.440
And speaking of show notes, you can also find the link to subscribe to the podcast's newsletter so you can eat get each conversation delivered.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:37.359
And right now, there's some really pretty quote cards that are there.
00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:41.440
10 quote cards from guests of season one and season two.
00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:43.759
So that's a gift when you sign up for the newsletter.
00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:46.559
Hannah, thank you so much for joining us today.
00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.279
Thank you.
00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:49.119
Thanks so much for having me, Jenny.
00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:50.799
I really, really appreciate it.
00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:54.880
Uh, I had a lot of fun speaking with you and I appreciate your time conversation.
00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.759
Of course.
00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:58.000
Audience, thank you so much for listening today.
00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:06.880
And if you'd like to know what Hannah and I discuss after the episode ends, you can head on over to the After the Highlight Collection on Patreon.
