At the age of 11, Taitu Kunze was asked to pen an essay on her career aspirations.

In neat handwriting she wrote that she wanted to be a chiropodist and be her own boss.

The veteran podiatrist keeps that essay on a shelf at Feet First Podiatry, the clinic she started a year ago in Hamilton.

So many clients have flooded in since she established her business in January 2025, she has a two-week wait for an office appointment.

“I never expected to see so much success, so fast,” she admitted.

Earlier this month, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation named her business start-up of the year in its annual awards ceremony.

“I was definitely surprised,” Ms Kunze said. “I didn’t think I was going to win. It made all the hard work make sense. The award really made me see that people appreciate what I do.”

Businesses eligible for the start-up award had to open after September 2024. To win, the business owner had to have happy staff and clients and offer innovative products or services.

“We are the only local podiatry practice that has one day (Wednesday) dedicated entirely to home visits,” Ms Kunze said. “Home visits include seeing patients in hospitals, rest homes and private homes. There are a lot of people who cannot get into the clinic who still need podiatry services. Wednesdays are pretty busy for me and the at-home appointments are booked two months out.”

She also stocks all of the products that she advises her clients to use including inserts, foot creams and orthopaedic shoes.

“Before I formed Feet First Podiatry, I would advise patients to try something, but I did not have access to those products,” she said. “Here, I have tried to bring all the top products that I use so that when people finish with their treatments, I can advise and then they can buy it.”

Her biggest challenge has been balancing being the owner with being the sole podiatrist.

“I see every patient that comes through here,” she said. “I am also the one who makes all the business decisions. That has definitely been a challenge that I have had to overcome, but it has been great.”

She is now looking at hiring another podiatrist for the practice.

Ms Kunze became interested in podiatry from a young age, because her father had foot problems.

“One of his jobs was being a waiter and he was always on his feet,” she said. “So he ended up developing these neurovascular corns, which are very painful.”

She often went with him on podiatry visits.

Now she treats her father’s foot issues herself. “He has been my patient for a long time now,” she said.

Feet First Podiatry is located on the third floor of the Brown-Brangman Building on the corner of King Street and Reid Street.

• For more information see feetfirstbda.com or call 261-3338