Dahlia Fahmy of Sports & Ortho: How Passion and Persistence Built 9 Clinics Competing with Industry Giants
Dahlia Fahmy is the founder of Sports & Ortho Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, a thriving network of nine clinics in the Chicago area. A physical therapist with a sharp business mind and a personal mission to raise the standard of care, Dahlia turned her vision into reality—creating a patient-first practice competing against some of the biggest players in the industry. Her story is proof that staying hands-on and relentlessly improving your craft can lead to remarkable success.
Key Takeaways:
- Owner involvement matters: Dahlia still treats patients daily, giving her insight into what they truly need—and showing her staff and customers that she cares.
- Solve a personal problem, build a business: Her pediatric therapy center, Imagine, was inspired by her search for the best care for her son with Down syndrome.
- Quality over quantity wins: Sports & Ortho focuses on exceptional patient care instead of becoming a "factory" clinic chasing volume.
- Train and expect the best: She invests in her team’s continuing education, setting high expectations while providing the tools to succeed.
- Balance working in vs. on the business: Dahlia stresses the importance of staying connected to the frontlines while carving out time to steer the bigger vision.
Catch the full conversation on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsURj9VmMfc
Memorable Quote:
Sometimes you just have to jump in. If you wait for the perfect moment, it’ll never come.