When I graduated as a physiotherapist, I never imagined I’d one day be balancing outpatient appointments and team meetings with material suppliers. 

I certainly didn’t think I’d be running a side business from my kitchen table but that’s exactly where I’ve found myself—a young woman, still deeply connected to public health, now dipping my toes into the world of entrepreneurship. 

Like many physiotherapists, my career began in the public sector. 

I’ve worked for several years in a large metropolitan hospital, across women’s health, musculoskeletal outpatients and the antenatal ward. 

It’s an area I’ve grown incredibly passionate about— particularly the care and support offered to pregnant women. 

But over time, I started noticing something that didn’t sit right with me. 

Many of the people referred to physio during pregnancy came to us late—often when their pain had become debilitating. 

They experienced pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain and difficulty walking or sleeping. Some even presented to emergency, unable to cope. 

They’d been told that it was just ‘part of the experience’, something to push through. 

But as physiotherapists, we are aware that there is so much we can do. 

Connie Wells

Early intervention, education, targeted exercises and sometimes simple support garments can make all the difference. 

My growing frustration turned into an idea—a solution that would combine evidence-based education, a simple exercise program and physical support in a way that was accessible and preventive. 

It took a few years (and a lot of trial and error) but that idea eventually became the BUMPBELT. 

I never set out to develop a product. 

In fact, I didn’t even think of myself as particularly entrepreneurial. 

I grew up playing netball and basketball and initially thought I’d end up working with sporting teams. 

The closest I came to product design was probably a Year 10 art project. 

But the more women I saw struggling through pregnancy, the more motivated I became to do something practical—and creative—about it. 

The BUMPBELT didn’t come to life overnight. 

I went through three main prototypes over a few years. 

One version used velcro that wasn’t strong enough. 

Some materials wore out too quickly after use. Each iteration came with its own lessons in design, function and practicality. 

It was like learning a new language—one that had nothing to do with anatomy or biomechanics and everything to do with fabrics, fit and durability. 

There were certainly days when I wondered whether I’d made the right decision. 

I once discovered a printing error across an entire batch of packaging, which meant I had to reorder the lot—an expensive mistake that hurt more because I knew it was avoidable. 

I’ve spent late nights updating websites, answering customer emails and packing boxes while trying not to neglect my day job. 

And let’s be honest—balancing any side project while working in the public system isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to establish yourself professionally. 

But there’s also something incredibly fulfilling about it. Working in public health, I love the team environment and the complex clinical reasoning that comes with the territory. 

But working on a product like this has tapped into a completely different part of me. 

I’ve always had a creative streak—drawing, crafting, designing—and this allowed me to bring that side into my professional life in a tangible way. 

I’ve also had to learn a whole new skill set. 

From supply chain logistics to the ins and outs of Therapeutic Goods Administration registration, it’s been a steep learning curve. 

I’ve become more comfortable with ambiguity, more confident speaking up and more resilient when things don’t go to plan. 

Most importantly, I’ve become more aware of my own value as a physio. 

That lesson was driven home when I had a conversation with a mentor, APA Business group chair Antony Hirst APAM, who told me something simple but powerful: 

‘Make sure you’re paid for the value you provide.’ 

As physiotherapists—especially in public health—it’s easy to downplay our skills, to give our time freely because we genuinely want to help, but if we want our work to be sustainable, we need to advocate for ourselves. 

Right now, the business is still something I do part-time. 

I’m not ready to walk away from public health—I love my colleagues, my patients and the sense of purpose I get from my work. 

However, I do see potential for the BUMPBELT to grow. 

In five years, I’d love for it to be in more hands (or rather, around more hips) of Australian women. 

I’d like to see pelvic girdle pain taken seriously—early and preventively—instead of just being accepted as the cost of pregnancy. 

I have a few other ideas quietly brewing, too—they’re not quite ready to share but the creative spark is still burning. 

I think a lot about how this kind of work changes the way we see ourselves. 

When I first started the BUMPBELT, I saw it as a one-off side project. 

Yet over time I’ve come to realise that this is a form of advocacy. 

It’s another way of supporting the women I care about—just through a different medium. 

As a young woman in physiotherapy, I also hope it’s a small example of what’s possible when we back ourselves and our ideas. 

Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to mean giving up clinical work or turning your whole life upside down. 

For me, it’s been about asking: what’s missing in the system and can I help fill that gap? Sometimes the answer is yes—and with the right support, even a small belt can make a big difference. 

The path to product development isn’t always easy or glamorous and there will be times when you feel like giving up. 

But it’s all about passion and finding your reason why, even when the going gets tough.

Connie Wells APAM holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Deakin University and a Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne. With more than 10 years of experience in the public hospital setting, Connie has a special passion for musculoskeletal outpatients and women’s health. She is the founder and director of Baby Body.