Terran Gates discovered her vocational passion for prosthetics and orthotics while job shadowing at a local clinic. "I immediately fell in love with the idea that I could have a career that balanced working with my hands and working with people," Gates said.

An alumna of the U of A in kinesiology and mathematics, she obtained her master's degree in prosthetics and orthotics at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Upon completion of her residency, she earned her American Board Certification in both prosthetics and orthotics and spent the next six years at a locally owned P&O company.

"I was hungry for knowledge and expanding my skill set," Gates said.

Learning from wonderful teachers, Gates developed a skill for difficult presentations and transfemoral prosthetics, creating unique designs for challenging cases. When a turn towards mass production and digital workflow arose in the field, she decided it was time to explore opening her own clinic to focus on patient relationships and quality over quantity.

Finding the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A through a Google search, Gates began work with business consultant Stephanie Parsons from initial idea to opening the doors of the first location for Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic.

Over a span of two-plus years, Parsons helped Gates identify her top challenges with starting the business — obtaining funding, budget and finances, and business planning. Working together to complete a financial workbook and projections to address loan packaging needs, Parsons then connected her with a small business lender and private banker at Arvest Bank where they have built an ongoing, strong working relationship.

"The dedication of the ASBTDC staff to listen and encourage those that they help are the main ingredients to giving small business owners the courage to put themselves out there," according to Gates. "ASBTDC made sure I thought through every angle and scenario before taking that leap of faith."

With locations in Bentonville, Harrison and Mountain Home, the clinics offer prosthetics, orthotics, pediatrics, adaptive personal training and post-operative management. Gates also discovered a serious need among her patients. Many struggled with living a healthier lifestyle while attempting to meet the required exercise amounts faced by those with mobility impairment. She pursued and obtained a certification in exercise physiology with specialization in inclusive fitness to provide a wholistic approach to health and wellbeing.

"Being a part of this very personal journey from what is often a low point in their life, watching them make the courageous decision to go for it and helping with the work to get to their goals is why I do what I do," Gates said.