We recently sat down with Mikayla Milanovic, founder of Peak Wellness Osteopathy, to ask her about her journey. From starting as a solo practitioner at SuiteWorks to growing a thriving team and moving into her own facility here in Barrie, Mikayla shares the milestones and lessons that shaped her business along the way.
1. What inspired you to start Peak Wellness Osteopathy, and what were your goals in the earliest stages of your business?
I founded Peak Wellness Osteopathy shortly after graduating as a personal challenge—to see whether I could successfully run and operate an osteopathy clinic independently. At the outset, I was the sole practitioner and had no immediate plans for expansion. My primary goal was simple: to provide meaningful care and make a genuine difference in people’s lives, even if that meant seeing only five to ten patients per week.
I found fulfillment in witnessing improvements in my patients’ pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life. As the clinic grew, it became clear how many individuals were benefiting from the care being provided. This realization inspired me to expand the practice and bring in skilled subcontractors who could support patients in areas beyond my own scope. This included services such as genetic testing, fertility and hormonal health, diet and nutrition, and massage therapy.
That evolution allowed Peak Wellness Osteopathy to grow into a more comprehensive, collaborative wellness clinic focused on truly individualized care.
2. You began your practice at SuiteWorks before expanding into your own dedicated space. What made SuiteWorks the right place to launch your business?
SuiteWorks was recommended to me through my mother, who works in the area and whose company had previously used the space. After touring the facility and meeting the staff, I immediately felt confident that it would be a supportive and professional environment to launch my practice.
The flexibility of the month-to-month contract was a major factor, as it allowed me to grow at my own pace without long-term commitments. I was also drawn to the opportunity to connect with other professionals and build relationships within the community. The ability to come and go freely, combined with the safe and secure environment, made it an especially comfortable choice—particularly as a woman operating her business independently, even during times when there was no on-site reception.
SuiteWorks provided the flexibility, security, and professional atmosphere I needed in the early stages of building my practice.
3. Many people don’t associate osteopathy or hands-on wellness care with coworking environments. What was your experience working with clients out of a private office at SuiteWorks?
My experience was very positive. In many healthcare settings, patients typically wait in a shared reception area, so waiting at SuiteWorks felt familiar rather than unusual. The primary difference was that they were sharing the space with clients from other professional services such as legal offices, notaries, physiotherapy, and other practices.
Rather than detracting from the experience, this often broadened clients’ awareness of the range of services available within their own community. It exposed them to professionals and resources they may not have realized were located so close to their home or workplace. Overall, the environment remained professional and comfortable while offering a unique opportunity for clients to discover additional services that could support other areas of their lives.
4. As a female entrepreneur, what unique challenges did you face in the early stages of your business, and how did you navigate them?
One of the primary challenges I faced early on was being taken seriously as a professional business owner rather than having my work perceived as a side venture or a temporary pursuit. There were assumptions that my practice was something I would do “in the meantime” until starting a family, or that it was secondary to a spouse’s career rather than a legitimate business of my own.
Navigating these perceptions required both personal growth and resilience. Connecting with other female entrepreneurs—particularly those who had built successful businesses while balancing family life—helped reshape my perspective and reinforced that success does not follow a single path. Their examples showed me that it is entirely possible to build a thriving practice while also making space for future life goals.
I also learned the importance of confidently communicating facts, setting clear boundaries, and addressing doubts professionally when they arose. Over time, this strengthened my confidence and reinforced my belief in my work. Adopting the mindset that not everyone needs to understand or support my journey was equally empowering. I came to accept that I may not be everyone’s choice—and that’s okay.
Focusing on the people who aligned with my values and vision allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
5. What were your biggest challenges or obstacles when starting Peak Wellness — and how did your workspace help you stay focused and grow?
One of the biggest challenges I faced when starting Peak Wellness was finding the right professional support. Identifying trustworthy advisors—such as a lawyer and an accountant—who understood my goals and acted in my best interest was critical. I invested time attending BNI networking meetings and carefully reviewing recommendations and online reviews to ensure I was building the right team around my business.
Interestingly, my accountant was someone I met through a BNI meeting and she also worked out of SuiteWorks one day per week, which became an unexpected but valuable advantage.
Having a flexible, managed workspace allowed me to stay focused on growing the business rather than being consumed by operational responsibilities. I didn’t need to worry about utilities, building maintenance, snow removal, or cleaning common areas. I could simply rent the space, come and go as needed, and focus my energy on patient care and business development without unnecessary stress.
The convenience of working within SuiteWorks also made collaboration and efficiency easier. Being able to meet with my accountant on a lunch break, in the same building, saved time and helped me stay organized and proactive as my business grew. Overall, the workspace provided the structure and flexibility I needed to build Peak Wellness with confidence.
6. Are there any key memories, client moments, or community interactions from your time at SuiteWorks that still stand out to you today?
There isn’t one single moment that stands out, but rather a collection of meaningful experiences that made my time at SuiteWorks so special. The staff consistently went out of their way to make me feel included in community events, thoughtfully accommodating my allergies so I could fully participate. That sense of care and inclusion truly set the tone for the environment.
The relationships I built with clients during that time are equally memorable. Many of them became more than just patients—we shared conversations about life, milestones, and personal growth, and they began to feel like family. I was fortunate to be included in some of their most meaningful moments, from engagements and the birth of children to university acceptances and graduations.
Being able to support people not only through physical healing but also through challenging or emotional periods was incredibly fulfilling. Whether it was celebrating their successes or simply being there as a listening ear during difficult times, those connections are what I value most from my time at SuiteWorks and continue to carry with me today.
7. How did your business evolve during your time at SuiteWorks, and what did the transition look like as you moved from a rented office to your own full facility?
During my time at SuiteWorks, Peak Wellness experienced significant and sustained growth. I expanded from seeing approximately 12 clients per week to nearly 85 clients per week within a two-year period, with the majority of that growth occurring in the first year and remaining consistent thereafter. SuiteWorks provided the stability and flexibility needed to scale the practice without unnecessary pressure.
While operating out of SuiteWorks, I was also able to conduct interviews and begin building a team of subcontractors. This allowed me to plan strategically for expansion so that when I was ready to move into my own storefront and full facility, my team was already in place and prepared to transition with me.
The move itself was exceptionally smooth. I was able to maintain my SuiteWorks office until I no longer needed it, without rigid move-out deadlines. The flexibility to extend my use of the space partway through the month, gradually move equipment, and transition at a manageable pace made a significant difference. Rather than feeling rushed or forced into the next step, I felt supported throughout the process.
That flexibility allowed the transition to feel less like a leap and more like a controlled, confident step forward—knowing I had a supportive environment to rely on if I needed additional time or resources.
8. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs or wellness practitioners who are thinking about starting their business in a coworking or flexible office environment?
My advice would be to move forward even if it feels challenging, uncertain, or out of reach at first. Growth rarely happens without stepping into discomfort, and you don’t need to have every piece in place from the beginning. Support systems often develop along the way if you remain open to connection and collaboration.
I would strongly encourage getting involved in the local community, as word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools for building a successful practice—especially in wellness. A coworking environment like SuiteWorks naturally fosters those relationships by placing you alongside other professionals who can become part of your referral network and support system.
Beyond the practical benefits, spaces like SuiteWorks can offer a sense of belonging. It’s more than just an office—it becomes a professional network, a resource for growth, and, in many ways, a community that feels like family. For anyone starting out, that combination of flexibility, connection, and support can make all the difference.
To learn more about Mikayla and the team at Peak Wellness Osteopathy, or to book an appointment for their range of holistic health services, visit their website at https://www.peakwellnessosteopathy.ca/. You can also find them at their new storefront at 560 Bryne Drive in Barrie or follow their journey on Instagram at @peakwellnessosteopathy