For Drs. Dan Dotson and Kevin Kostka, starting a business required a bit of creativity and flexibility. In the face of a poor economic market, the two found a way to make their business a success. When they began in 2008, capital for new businesses was scarce. To cut costs the two UTC graduates passed on a physical space for their business and made house calls instead. By following this traditional model, and focusing on retirement communities, their start-up required minimal overhead. “During this time we were able to build relationships with the patients, referring physicians, and the community,” said Dotson and Kostka.
Now, Dotson and Kostka’s Summit Physical Therapy has two locations and their success and focus on patient care is gaining attention. This year the team was recognized for their outstanding practices, services, and success by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce when they won the Chamber’s 2015 Small Business Award in the category of local businesses who have between 21 and 50 employees.
Both Dotson and Kostka received their Doctorate degrees in 2003 from UTC. They have continued a relationship with the University by partnering with the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program as a clinical instruction site, working as adjunct faculty, and serving on the department’s board. Summit Physical Therapy is also involved in UTC’s Sports Medicine Program where they provide physical therapy to the athletic department. The business owners explained that fostering a relationship with the University was only natural for their business and individual goals,
“We understood our personal and professional purpose was to help as many individuals as we could and realized in order to fully achieve this we would need to remain active in the community and at the university level to continue mentoring the upcoming professionals in our field.” The two added, “Our relationship with UTC has been great. They have been big supporters of our practice and the culture of our clinics with the treatment philosophy that we employ.”
Choosing Chattanooga as their home-base was a no brainer.
“From a business standpoint, the most logical reason that we decided to begin operating our business in the Chattanooga area was the fact that we called Chattanooga our home. Through the many years of growing up in the Chattanooga area, we had developed and fostered many relationships.” They continued, “These relationships proved to be fruitful as we began operating and growing our business.”
Check out the Chamber’s video featuring Summit Physical Therapy, as well as Southern Honda Powersports and TransCard, finalists for the award.
