10.11.26 | 5 min

Three individuals, three visions, three startups: The path to opening their own practices, thanks to microloans

Since the summer of 2020, Julia Schmalz has been running the PhysioRoom physical therapy practice in the city of Lucerne together with her business partner, Gertjan Krijnen. What began as a shared vision is now a well-established practice. A microloan arranged by Lucerne Business played a key role in the practice’s successful launch.

What does PhysioRoom offer?

PhysioRoom is a physical therapy practice. Our strength lies in manual therapy, which is used in particular to treat musculoskeletal conditions. We also specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness, as well as in the manual therapeutic examination and treatment of conditions affecting the jaw, face, head, and neck. Myofascial treatment techniques, trigger point therapy, and dry needling, along with active exercise therapy and patient education—that is, educating and supporting patients with their conditions—round out our range of services.

How did you come up with the idea of starting your own business?

A former colleague and role model of mine, Gertjan Krijnen, brought up the idea of opening a joint practice for physical and manual therapy at a time that was very opportune for me. With him by my side, I could easily imagine taking on this adventure. His experience as a self-employed entrepreneur, his professional expertise, and the fact that we get along very well on a personal level were decisive factors for me.

Were there any stumbling blocks along the way to founding the practice? What ultimately paved the way?

There were a few challenges to overcome. I seem to recall that we probably spent the most time discussing the choice of the logo. We had to make numerous decisions in a very short time—it took less than three months from the initial idea to the opening of the practice. Many of them were compromises. I wouldn’t call them stumbling blocks; ultimately, the process leading up to the launch went remarkably smoothly.

How did you learn about the microloan option?

Our online search for financing options for starting a GmbH in the canton of Lucerne led us directly to the Economic Development Agency and the microloans they offered. Shortly after we reached out, we had our first meetings and received guidance on preparing the budget from a staff member at the Lucerne Economic Development Agency.

What was the key use of the microloan?

With the microloan, we were able to purchase the entire infrastructure from my former employer. As a result, PhysioRoom GmbH was quickly and exceptionally well-equipped.

What is PhysioRoom’s current status?

After six years, our practice now has eight employees. We’ve doubled the number of treatment rooms from two to four and created additional space. PhysioRoom has made a name for itself in the city of Lucerne as well as beyond the canton—in part due to our CRAFTA therapy program, which focuses on the assessment and treatment of conditions in the jaw, face, head, and neck regions and requires intensive training. There are only a few physical therapists in Central Switzerland with this level of expertise. Our network of referring physicians and other partners demonstrates a stable foundation that is continuously being strengthened and expanded. We consider ourselves very fortunate and are grateful that our services are so highly valued by both patients and referring physicians.

How did you feel supported by Lucerne Business?

We never lacked for anything at any point. The Economic Development Agency was there to advise us whenever we had questions, transferred the agreed-upon loan within a few days, and was accommodating when we faced liquidity issues at the beginning and were unable to repay the agreed-upon installments on time.