Charlton Woodly, DPM

Be willing and able to learn from your past mistakes.

 

Dr. Charlton Woodly is a highly-trained, board-certified podiatrist who brings over 14 years
of experience in providing conservative and surgical treatments to patients at Woodly Foot & Ankle in both Weatherford and Richland Hills, Texas.

A specialist in minimally-invasive procedures and a Hyprocure Master Surgeon, Dr. Woodly is an expert in treating the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions and injuries, including sports injuries, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, and toenail fungus. Committed to providing his patients with the most advanced treatment options, he utilizes platelet-rich plasma therapy to remedy heel and ankle pain and dermal fillers to replace natural foot cushioning that has worn down.

Dr. Woodly earned his medical degree at New York College of Podiatric Medicine, followed by an internship and residency at Gouverneur Healthcare Services in Manhattan and Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. In addition to treating patients in his private practice, Dr. Woodly is on staff at Weatherford Regional Medical Center. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Texas Podiatric Medical Association.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

The idea for Woodly Foot and Ankle came to me while I was in medical school. When I learned more about the field of podiatry and developed a passion for it, I decided that I wanted to become a solo practitioner. Now, we have two locations and three doctors.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My typical day starts around 8am, when the clinic opens. Throughout the day, I see a variety of patients; most include either foot pain or regular foot care. The majority of patients are children with ingrown toenails or pain, middle-age adults, and people with heel pain. I also do minimally invasive procedures as well. I make my day productive by waking up early and scheduling my patients efficiently. If my day is not scheduled properly, I can become easily over-booked.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I bring my ideas to life by doing plenty of research. Before launching an idea, I need to make sure that it is viable and that there is demand for it. Without those elements, an idea cannot succeed. I also consider the cost of my ideas and make sure that I will get enough return on investment so that my idea will make sense from a business standpoint. If I end up losing money on my idea, then there is no point. Finally, I make sure that my idea will help people and the people who I am targeting will be able to use my product and that it is accessible to them.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that excites me is the rise in minimally invasive surgery. More and more doctors and patients today are educating themselves on the benefits of this type of surgery. MIS is becoming popular because it is cost effective and requires less down time than a surgically open procedure. Also, the rise in stem cell therapy is exciting because this type of procedure allows the body to use its own stem cells to heal injuries so there is no need for surgical intervention.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit that makes me more productive as an entrepreneur is reading. I read and like to keep up-to-date on the latest scientific journals, as well as the news that relates to healthcare and insurance. It is so important to stay current on news and trends that are impacting your industry. Things are changing so quickly that as an entrepreneur it is imperative to know what is happening in your field.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy equipment when you are first starting out. It is not worth it to be in debt. When I first opened my practice, I spent money on technology that I did not need and I collected a lot of debt. If I could do it over, I would say that it is not worth it.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

One thing that I do that I recommend is to learn from your past mistakes. I think that entrepreneurs should think back and be able to learn from their mistakes to help their business grow. I am constantly doing my best to learn from past failures and I think that it has helped my practice thrive.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

One strategy that has helped my practice thrive is giving personal attention to each of my patients. Running a healthcare practice is just like running any other type of business. Great customer service is key. When patients arrive at my clinic I want them to feel like they are my only patient. A good strategy is to really listen to what your patients are saying and then relay it back to them. Let them know that you understand your problem and that you will guide through that problem.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I think one of my biggest failures when I was just starting out was that I purchased a medical device that was expensive and out of my budget. It forced me to go into debt. I did not do the proper research on the type of client who needs this service.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

One software that I use for my practice is Kareo. It is how we store our electronic medical records. The software allows us coordinate patient schedules, write prescriptions and order labs. I think that anyone with a medical-based business should consider this software.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I think that a great book is the autobiography of Colin Powell, called My American Journey. This book tells a great story about self-determination and perseverance that I think would be great for any entrepreneur.

What is your favorite quote?

I took the old saying, “if you build it they will come” and adjusted it more for my practice. So, the quote that I say around the office is “Treat them right, give them the services that they need, and they will come”.

Key Learnings:

● Be willing and able to learn from your past mistakes
● Be wise about your business costs when first starting out
● Research and reading are the keys to making a business thrive

Connect:

www.twitter.com/woodlyfanda