Women’s business awardee says “back yourself”

3D Physiotherapy Health Group owner and director Julie Sheahan is the winner of the 2024 Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Regional Women’s Business Award.

After working as a physiotherapist in the private and public sectors for about 25 years, Ms Sheahan started her practice in 2018 because she craved the autonomy.

“I was on the orthopaedic ward at Bendigo Health and I absolutely loved working in the hospital system,” she said.

“But in public health you have to jump through so many hoops to get anything new off the ground, whereas with private, you can be really creative and give people what they need and what they want. So I love that.”

Ms Sheahan said in the beginning, despite seeking out “amazing” support and mentorship through Be.Bendigo, it was a “baptism of fire” trying to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Having a philosophy of looking after my staff has been important,” she said.

“The grounding for the business success so far has been getting the right people on the team.

“We’ve spent a lot of time working on ourselves, sharing our weak spots as well as our strengths with each other, just learning how our different personalities show up in the world and how we show up at work.

“The tribe that I’ve got now is incredible.”

She said her advice to young women who are thinking about starting their own business but are unsure is to “back yourself in.”

“Being a woman has never come into it for me in terms of running a business or having opportunities,” she said.

“It’s always scary, but do it anyway. Surround yourself with really good people and ask lots of questions of people who know.

“Help is out there. There’s so many amazing people in the Bendigo business community. It’s just a matter of asking.”