Some conversations never lose their relevance. This episode was originally recorded in 2018 for my previous podcast, It’s No Secret with Dr T, but after listening to it again, I knew it deserved to be shared with the Podiatry Legends audience.
My guest is marketing strategist Patrick McFadden, who built his business around helping companies think differently about marketing and strategy. His philosophy of “Rise and Grind” isn’t about working longer hours. It’s about making every hour count by focusing on meaningful work that moves your business forward.
If you’re a podiatrist looking to grow your clinic, improve your marketing or simply become a better business owner, there are plenty of practical lessons in this conversation.
Rise and Grind Means Taking Action
Patrick explains that too many people become addicted to motivation instead of execution.
Reading books, listening to podcasts and attending conferences all have value, but none of them replaces doing the actual work. Success comes from consistently taking action, even when the work isn’t exciting.
Bring Value to Every Interaction
One of Patrick’s guiding principles is simple:
Every meeting, phone call, email or conversation should leave the other person feeling their time was well spent.
Whether you’re speaking with patients, staff, referrers or suppliers, continually asking yourself, “How can I add value?” changes the quality of every interaction.
Diagnose Before You Prescribe
As podiatrists, we understand the importance of making a diagnosis before recommending treatment.
Patrick believes businesses should work exactly the same way.
Too many business owners jump straight into websites, advertising, SEO or social media without first diagnosing the real business problem.
Before spending money on marketing, ask yourself:
- What problem are we actually trying to solve?
- Has the marketplace changed?
- What outcome are we trying to achieve?
Only then should you decide on the right strategy.
Markets Change… So Must Your Business
Patrick shares a great example of helping a handyman business adapt when the property market changed.
Instead of accepting fewer jobs, they recognised that the work hadn’t disappeared. It had simply shifted from sellers to buyers.
The lesson is clear:
Successful businesses continually look for where opportunities have moved rather than assuming they’ve disappeared.
Clarity Creates Competitive Advantage
One of my favourite moments in the episode is when Patrick says:
“Clarity is a competitive advantage.”
Businesses often talk about wanting more patients or better retention, but unless those become clearly defined business goals, it’s difficult for marketing, staff and systems to all work towards the same outcome.
When everyone understands the goal, better decisions follow.
Measure What Matters
Patrick shares a valuable lesson about losing a client despite helping them double their business.
The reason? They never stopped to measure and communicate the results.
People need to see the progress they’re making.
Whether you’re treating heel pain or running a marketing campaign, measuring outcomes builds confidence, trust and long-term relationships.
Delegate Your Weaknesses
Not everyone enjoys the same parts of business.
Patrick believes your greatest growth comes from spending more time working in your strengths while delegating the tasks that drain your energy.
As your clinic grows, learning what to delegate becomes just as important as learning new skills.
Build Relationships Before You Need Them
Networking isn’t about collecting business cards; it’s about building genuine relationships long before you need help.
Patrick explains that your network becomes one of your greatest business assets because opportunities often come through trusted relationships rather than advertising.
It’s a philosophy I’ve spoken about many times: “Dig the well before you need the water”.
Although this conversation was recorded back in 2018, the lessons are timeless. Markets continue to evolve, technology keeps changing, and patient expectations never stand still.
The businesses that thrive aren’t necessarily the ones working the hardest. They’re the ones that stay curious, think strategically, adapt quickly, and consistently bring value to the people they serve.
If you can combine those qualities with clear goals and purposeful action, you’ll put yourself in a very strong position for long-term success.
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Do you want to make more money in podiatry?
If you want to make more money from your podiatry business and have more time off with your family, please visit my website at tysonfranklin.com to learn how I can help you make this a reality. Otherwise, feel free to email me any questions you may have about your business at tf@tysonfranklin.com.