In today’s “How to Rally” interview, Kris talks with clients Laura Patrick, Jennifer Hood and Kira DeRito about what it’s been like for them to negotiate the challenges that COVID has presented to their businesses and to them as female founders.
LAURA PATRICK
Laura Patrick was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC Canada. She is the founder and owner of Kids Physio Group – Canada’s largest chain of private pediatric physical therapy clinics.
With a passion for sports, she first graduated from UBC’s Human Kinetics (Exercise Science) program in 2001 before continuing on to receive her Masters in Physiotherapy from McMaster University in 2003.
Laura founded Kids Physio Group in 2006 in the humblest of surroundings.
After 3 years working in the public system with school-aged kids, she recognized a need for all children to have access to trained pediatric physiotherapists in clinic space designed just for them.
JENNIFER HOOD
Jennifer Hood has over 25 years experience working in gymnastics organizations across Canada and is a certified teacher, specializing in primary education.
She is passionate about developing active programming for young children. In 2008, Jen opened Jump Gymnastics and it quickly became a destination for parents from across Vancouver. In 2014, Jen opened Jump’s second location in North Van and partnered with Kids Physio Group. Today Jump programs reach more than 1000 preschool kids a week.
Jen is currently using her unique skill-set in Physical Literacy development to consult for organizations such as Gymnastics Canada and Sport For Life as well as growing a volunteer program to get the next generation excited about building active communities.
KIRA DERITO
Kira DeRito and her husband, Tony, created Olympia Seafood in 1999. In the early days, they only offered live crab out the back door, but after a remodel of the building, the front door opened officially in August of 2000.
Tony and Kira have been there from the beginning, and their daughter, Sailor, joined the family business when she was born in 2002. Sailor’s Grandpa and her Uncles are commercial fishermen with over 40 years of experience in Dungeness crab and wild salmon harvesting and often supply directly to Olympia Seafood.
The DeRitos pride themselves on serving Olympia and the surrounding areas with the absolute best quality local and exotic seafood available. Their eye is always on sustainable, healthy seafood options so patrons can feel confident making a choice to shop with them. Friendly, knowledgeable service is their goal, and they work hard to make sure everyone’s seafood experience is an outstanding one.
What you’ll find in this episode:
- What each business owner’s thoughts were when all of the COVID stuff started.
- Things that they have done for themselves to help navigate the moment.
- What unexpected benefits or by-products resulted from the whole thing.
- How each business owner pivoted and what adaptations they made to their business models that helped.
- Advice for the woman who is listening, who’s still in it and needs some wisdom about how to rally and what to do next.
Featured on the Show and Other Notes:
- Laura Patrick, founder of Kids Physio Group
- Jennifer Hood, owner and director of Jump Gymnastics
- Kira DeRito, owner of Olympia Seafood
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