Meet Riann Taylor | Reflexology and Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Riann Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Riann, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I started my career as a Physical Therapist in a large hospital system in Columbus, Ohio in the Acute Care setting. There were plenty of weeks when I had started that I would work 12 days in a row to make money to support our family as my husband was in grad school at the time. I was young and didn’t have kids at the time, so it just made sense to work. As time went on, we had kids and my husband was busy with work and often traveled for work, I knew that I wanted be able to be home more with my kids. When my son was born in 2006, I went to working part-time after my son was born with a rare heart defect and had multiple doctor’s appointments after his open-heart surgery. My perspective on life certainly changed with this event and working was necessary to maintain benefits. However, the medical system continued to change and while I loved the patient population I worked with, there was honestly too much red tape to deal with. I became a number and no longer a name and I knew it was time to make a big change. I slowly exited the hospital setting while working part-time on building my business. By 2018 I had left the hospital and started working full-time for myself. This change allowed me to work when it was convenient for my family. When my husband would travel for work, I would work less so that I could make sure the kids got to extracurricular activities, keep the household running, and have time to do things I loved. I eventually stopped working weekends for the business because I wanted to be home, and I didn’t have to work weekends anymore. Now I take plenty of time off to travel with my family, for example if my husband is traveling for business I will join him on the trip. My kids are older now (20 and 17) but we still enjoying time together. My summer schedule looks different than the other 9 months out of the year. My son plays travel baseball and tournaments run from Thursday- Sunday. My clients know that I am only open Monday-Wednesday starting in June and scheduled themselves appropriately. I love my current work-life balance but know that I had to put in my dues to get here.

What should our readers know about your business?
In 2000, I started working at Ohio State University Medical Center in the acute care hospital. I loved working with critical patients and their families. By 2014, I knew that I was looking for more or a work life balance and wanted to add another skill under my belt. I considered going to massage or acupuncture school but ultimately ended up going to reflexology school. I have always been connected to people via touch and this seemed like the best fit.

Most people know about massage therapy but very few people know about reflexology. Because I have a medical degree and have been practicing physical therapy since 2000, many clients who are skeptical about reflexology feel more comfortable working with me. When new clients complete their initial intake form I always ask how people have found my business. The answer is either, “I have heard great stuff about you from a friend, or You have 5stars in your google reviews.” Either way, I am grateful for my clients who continue to share my business with others.

I have never taken a business class which is probably one of the reasons I hesitated in starting. I wanted my office to stay close to home. I looked around and found a literal broom closet. I felt that if my business did not success, I would not be our much money since my rent was so cheap. Never in a million years did I think I would own my own business. With the support of other small businesses owners in my network, I was able to make the transition to being my own boss. I knew that I could not make everything perfect (such as my website) but I wanted to get started. With time, my website and business have improved.

I was finally really starting to build my business into what felt consistent and successful then Covid hit. We are a high-risk family, so it was really important to limit any exposure and I shut down my business for about 6 months, then began working on clients outside on my porch. This seemed like a good transition but in all honesty, it felt like my business and clientele numbers were back to the first year. I continued to remind myself that no matter what, my business had survived covid which I could not say for all small businesses. With time and patience, I have been able to grow my business back.

I feel like I have learned a few lessons in regard to owning a business that I try to share with others who are wanting to start a business. Start small to keep your overhead low until you can grow into spending more money. Nothing will ever be perfect to allow for you to jump into a business. Just jump. Things can always be adjusted as you go. Know the type of business you want to offer. For me, I did not want to work evenings or weekends so I created a business where I don’t.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Columbus is such a wonderful city with wonderful quaint neighborhoods and businesses around. Columbus is certainly know for wonderful food options as well.
Resale shopping: Grandview has great clothing shopping at Second Chance as well as fresco furnishings and Grandview Mercantile for home goods.
Hiking: We love to enjoy a good hike either at High Banks Metro Park, Tall Pines, Hocking Hills, Slate Run and anything along the olentangy river.
Food: Sobourban near Worthington, Bonifacio in Grandview, North Star- many locations, J. Gilberts for happy hour.
Little Ladies Soft serve has some of the best ice cream around. Sushi factory is a must if you enjoy sushi rolls and Chili Verde for mexican (and the best owners around), and Joyas with the owner being a Top Chef participant and who beat Bobby Flay.
There are some wonderful small shops in downtown Worthington including Worthing Candle Works which is a small business female owned.
The Franklin Park Botanical Gardens is wonderful for being around all types of plants locally. For a fun drive, Groovy Plant Ranch which is about 40 minutes from Worthington can allow for an entire day spending time with beautiful plants.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is to my friend and co-worker Lesley Cross MacLaren. We met each other early on because her oldest and my youngest are the same grade. She is a connector in the community. She knew I was looking for a space to open my new business and let me know when a very small office (actually a broom closet) was available across the hall from her office. It was the perfect starter room. She helped me see that despite the idea of starting a business was scary, I was surrounded by SO MANY small businesses owners that could help mentor me. I have never taken a business class and really had no idea what I was doing but thought I should at least try. Within 6 months, I needed a bigger office and left the building that we were in together but knew that we would eventually be back together again. After covid, a room opened up in her private office and I had the opportunity to be back with her. She has helped foster my business and I am in my 9th year of working. I am grateful for her friendship, connection and mentorship.

Website: https://www.balancedtreereflexology.com

Instagram: Balancedtree

Linkedin: Riann Taylor

Facebook: Balanced Tree Reflexology

Other: scheduling: www.tinyurl.com/BTRappt

Image Credits
Amanda Parmo Photography for the professional headshot