From $15K Startup to 27 Clinics: How Shafiq Built a Multi-Million Dollar Empire

In this episode of The Clinic Boss Show, host Rick Lau sits down with Shafiq Bhanji, CEO of Athletes Care, one of Canada’s most recognized healthcare clinic brands with 27 locations and an 8-figure valuation. Shafiq shares how he launched his first clinic with just $15K and a credit card, why buying clinics often beats building from scratch, and how long it actually takes to break even. He breaks down his step-by-step process for taking over clinics without killing the culture, what’s in his tech stack (including Jane and CallHero), and how he negotiated to cut his personal lease guarantee in half.. You’ll also hear what he looks for in managing partners, how he mentors clinic directors, and what his day-to-day looks like running a company with hundreds of staff. If you’re serious about building a scalable healthcare business, this is the episode to study.

>> Free training for clinic owners: clinicowner.com

>> Follow me on IG at: @thericklau

>> Join the community: clinicaccelerator.com

>> Stop missing calls with CallHero’s advanced phone system: mycallhero.com

Chapters

(01:00) Introduction to Athletes Care

(03:45) The Journey of Starting a Clinic

(06:40) Navigating Financial Challenges

(09:29) Expanding the Business: Acquisitions vs. Startups

(11:57) Cultural Fit in Acquisitions

(14:57) Evaluating Clinic Performance

(17:42) Current Landscape of Athletes Care

(19:26) Navigating Break-Even in Business

(22:00) The Challenges of Entrepreneurship Today

(24:06) Defining Your Business Goals

(25:38) Attributes of a Good Managing Partner

(30:08) The Acquisition Process Explained

(34:17) Focus on Profit Over Revenue

(36:42) A Day in the Life of a Multi-Location Owner