In 2011, Sherrie Krampel founded Total Health Physio, focusing on delivering personalised physiotherapy services to elderly and less mobile individuals in the comfort of their homes. Sherrie, a La Trobe University graduate since 2003, initially worked in private practice. However, her passion for making a meaningful impact on people's lives led her to establish THP with a commitment to values such as Trust, Compassion, and Care.
Driven by a desire to improve the quality of life for vulnerable individuals, Sherrie aims to foster meaningful relationships and provide exceptional care through her team at THP. Her goal is for each team member to exceed patient expectations, contributing to their functional goals and bringing smiles to their faces through dedicated rehabilitation efforts.
Beyond her professional commitments, Sherrie enjoys family time, engaging in activities like runs, bike rides, and playing football with her boys. Her dedication to Total Health Physio reflects her personal values and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Let’s get to know Sherrie more in this Member Focus feature.
Q: Could you provide a brief background about yourself, your family, and your business?
My name is Sherrie Krampel and I have a beautiful husband Simon, who is a Director at Deloitte. I am a mother to three gorgeous kids, Jacob, 9, Noah, 7, and Libby, 3. I am the founder of Total Health Physio, a Melbourne-based mobile allied health organisation specialising in aged care and disability. My passion has always been to help people and I genuinely love being able to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable community. At Total Health Physio, we provide personalised in-home services to individuals living with disabilities as well as elderly individuals, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on their lives.
Q: What inspired you to embark on the entrepreneurial journey?
My entrepreneurial journey was inspired by my desire to create a genuine and lasting difference in people's lives. I used to work in sports physiotherapy, and whilst I love sports, I didn’t feel fulfilled by my work. I made the decision to start on my own because I loved working with older people and I wanted to follow my passion and focus on working with this patient group and I wanted to do it on my terms. The idea of providing warm and personalised care for individuals, especially the elderly is the foundation of what Total Health Physio is about.
Q: What aspects of being an entrepreneur do you enjoy the most?
What I enjoy most about being an entrepreneur is the ability to lead and inspire my team to make a difference. The work we do is driven by trust, compassion, and care, which are my personal and professional values. Seeing my team go above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and put smiles on their faces is incredibly fulfilling. It's the personal connections and the positive impact we make that truly matter. I also love the personal and professional growth that comes with running your own business. I love learning and finding new opportunities for growth and development for myself and my team.
Q: What are the significant challenges you have encountered as an entrepreneur?
Like many entrepreneurs, I faced the challenge of adapting to unexpected circumstances. When COVID-19 hit, my business was predominantly based in aged care facilities, and we lost access to these facilities overnight. This shift forced us to pivot quickly, focusing on the NDIS space, and rethinking our marketing strategy. Adapting and diversifying our services was a significant challenge, but it allowed us to thrive and grow. The other challenge has been staff shortages across the industry. It has certainly been the biggest roadblock to growth but I continue to work on fostering a great culture and workplace for my team to ensure staff retention and recruitment of quality therapists. It's a constant challenge but a work in progress.
Q: What motivated you to join EO?
I joined EO because I believe in continuous personal and professional growth. Entrepreneurship is a journey, and I wanted to learn from and connect with other like-minded business owners who understand the trials and tribulations of running a business. Being part of a community that shares experiences and insights can be incredibly valuable in my ongoing growth journey.
Q: Can you share a valuable lesson you've learned from your own experience or another entrepreneur or mentor?
A valuable lesson I've learned in my entrepreneurial journey is that running a business is much like having a baby. It's a labour of love that demands unwavering dedication, countless hours of hard work, and the ability to weather the inevitable challenges that come your way. Just as parents nurture and guide their children, as business owners, we must nurture our ventures, provide them with the care and attention they need to thrive, and be prepared to invest not only our time but also our sweat and tears. Just like with parenting, it's the love and passion for what you do that keeps you going, even when the going gets tough.