The power of connection in healthcare: Veri talks business growth with Sharon Armstrong

When Sharon Armstrong co-founded Embrace Life 16 years ago, her goal was simple: to create a family-focused health practice that truly listened.

A child health nurse by background, Sharon was inspired after her son broke his leg and she experienced first-hand how fragmented care could feel. “The chiropractor we saw just listened,” she recalls. “She saw him as a little person, not a case. That really stayed with me.”

That encounter sparked an idea to build a practice that brought together different health professionals under one roof. “We wanted to support families, especially mothers, who often feel judged or unheard,” Sharon says.

What began as a two-person chiropractic business evolved into a multidisciplinary practice offering physiotherapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, massage and more. At its peak, Embrace Life saw around 600 clients a week and employed 38 practitioners and staff, alongside educators hiring rooms.

The power of community

For Sharon, the business grew not because of luck, but because of connection. “The very first thing I did when we started was join the local chamber of commerce,” she says. “From there, I met people from the bank, consultants, HR advisors and accountants. I asked questions and built relationships.”

That network became the backbone of Embrace Life’s success. Through chamber events, Sharon met a business consultant who helped refine their systems and strategy. “Once we started working with him, we grew by 30 per cent every year for five years,” she says.

Her approach was grounded in humility and curiosity. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” she says. “But if you build the right relationships, you can always find someone who does.”

Building on values

While growth was important, values remained central. Sharon describes Embrace Life as “a social enterprise before the term was popular.” The team ran free community drop-in clinics and focused on long-term relationships with families, often prioritising people over profit.

“There were times the bank balance looked terrible,” she admits. “But we cared more about the experience our clients had. We wanted people to feel supported, not processed.”

Partnership was also key. Sharon credits her 16-year business partnership with co-founder Kathryn Bishop to one thing: open communication. “We’re total opposites,” she laughs. “I’m the people person, she’s the numbers brain. We had tough conversations, but we always picked up the phone.”

A new chapter

After selling the business earlier this year, Sharon has shifted her focus to consulting, mentoring childcare centres and continuing her work as a lactation consultant. “I’ve stayed close to what I love – supporting children, families and educators,” she says.

Her advice for healthcare founders is direct: “Join your local chamber. Build relationships before you need them. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Your network really is your net worth.”

Because in healthcare, as in business, connection is what makes growth sustainable.