Cindy Skiles on Building a Business from the Ground Up

I got to speak with Cindy Skiles. She started her physical therapy business in 1990 in a 500-square-foot room. She built her own treatment tables using wood from body boxes that came through the local airport. Her mom helped at the front desk, and Cindy handled everything else—cleaning, repairs, even picking up cigarette butts in the parking lot.

That hands-on attitude carried her forward. Over the years, she grew the business into a 28,000-square-foot facility in Teays Valley. She bought an old Lowe’s prototype building, renovated 10,000 square feet for her clinic, and turned the rest into an 18,000-square-foot fitness gym that still operates today.

We talk about what hustle really means. Some people think it’s just working around the clock. But to me, it’s about doing whatever needs done—whether that’s building your own tables or cleaning the toilets. Cindy agrees. She says she was the best person to do all of it because she cared the most.

She sold the business in 2018. Since then, she’s focused on things she didn’t have time for before. She became a master gardener, worked as a substitute teacher, and even gave school tours at Gritts Farm. Her son teaches at Rock Branch Elementary, so she’s gotten involved there too. She and her husband travel now and look for new ways to stay active.

These days, she’s diving into functional nutrition. She’s reading, listening to podcasts, speaking to groups, and leading exercise classes for seniors. She says she’s not making much money from it, but that’s not the goal. She worked hard before, and now she’s spending time on what matters most.

When I ask what advice she’d give to new business owners, she keeps it simple: show up early, stay late, never stop learning, and always stay curious. Cindy says the key is to know your craft and know how to promote it. Keep innovating and pay attention to what’s working.