Local Talent: The Entrepreneur’s Handbook Podcast - Episode 18
The guest on this episode of Local Talent: The Entrepreneur’s Handbook is a
ballsy entrepreneur who’s running two businesses at once. Derek Sanchez is a qualified
physical therapist with his own clinic, and he’s also in the process of setting up a
pizzeria that’s going to serve some of the world’s best pizza.
Derek tells Jason his life story, which combines a passion for both excellent pizza and
high quality physical therapy. He explains why he got interested in physical therapy and
how he built up his clinic to where it is today. He also dives into some of the threats that
PT clinics face today, from big pharma interference to newly qualified therapists who are
loaded with student debt.
You’ll also learn a lot about pizza from this episode, including Derek’s dough
fermentation technique and how he won awards for the Best Pizza in the World three
times! Stay tuned to hear some of Derek’s secret pizza techniques and exactly what the
deal is with gluten these days.
There aren’t so many pizza-making physical therapists out there so make sure to tune
into this episode! If you enjoyed it, subscribe to or follow Local Talent wherever you get
your podcasts.
Timestamps
[0:18] Dr. Derek gives his elevator pitch
[1:23] “I got beat up a lot”: Why Derek got interested in physical therapy
[4:11] Derek’s first PT job
[5:10] Learning to let go of your business and hand it over to someone else
[7:16] A dark development in the physical therapy business
[9:15] Derek’s long-term goal for Biomotion
[11:08] The story behind Mia Marco’s Pizza
[17:10] How Derek’s science education helped him to develop the best pizza recipe in
the world
[18:36] The politics of pizza culture
[19:28] Fermenting the dough, getting the right tomatoes: What it takes to nail the pizza
recipe
[22:16] A tap on the window and an emotional chance meeting
[23:45] Growing Mia Marco’s Pizza from the garage to a food truck
[24:36] The Best Pizza in the World competition
[28:36] Derek’s award-winning pizzas and moving from a food truck to a pizzeria
[30:23] Do you have to be a hardcore pizza fan to appreciate Derek’s pizza?
[32:11] How do you price a pizza in this economy?
[32:52] Crust consistency: What Derek looks for in a good slice of pizza
[35:30] Opening up the pizzeria - how much of a risk is it?
[37:17] Derek’s amazing support network and his upcoming trip to Buenos Aires
[39:52] What role does passion play in running a business?
[40:57] Balancing out running a pizzeria and a physical therapy clinic
[42:06] The problem with gluten
[45:08] Lightning round!!
[47:52] What do you wish you’d have known before starting your businesses?
[49:18] Is having a business partner a mistake?
[50:00] The best business advice that Derek’s ever received
[51:36] What Derek does to relax, and busting the biggest myths in physical therapy and
pizza making
[54:34] Derek’s 15-year business plan
[55:50] “Be tough:” Derek’s parting words of wisdom for would-be entrepreneurs
Links
Mia Marco’s Pizza
Mia Marco’s Pizza on Facebook
Mia Marco’s Pizza on Instagram
Mia Marco’s Pizza on Twitter
Biomotion Physical Therapy
Biomotion on Facebook
Local Talent
Local Talent on Facebook
Local Talent on YouTube
Local Talent on Spotify