Thrive85 clinic

How do you turn a doctor's vision for preventive medicine into a thriving practice that - quite literally - changes lives? This is the story of how a powerful new narrative in Belgian healthcare emerged. Meaningful Marketing transformed a complex medical topic into a purpose-driven brand story that resonates deeply with patients who prioritise their long-term health.

The Doctor with a Vision

Professor Dr. Katrien De Vusser approached us with a powerful vision: to shift from treating illness to nurturing health. She had been working as a nefrologist and lecturer at the university hospital Gasthuisberg, one of the leading hospitals in the world. From her work with lifestyle diseases, and her doctorate research on aging as a curable disease, emerged the idea to create a private clinic focused on preventive and longevity medicine. But the path to translating her medical expertise into a compelling brand narrative wasn't clear.

"When we started, there was no business! There was an idea, but the execution was 1 big black box to me..." - Dr. De Vusser

From Medical Practice to Meaningful Brand

Our collaboration unfolded through the four steps of the F.L.O.W. method, each phase building upon the last:

Focus: Clarifying the Intention

Together, we dove deep into Dr. De Vusser's intuition and vision:

• The people she felt called to help
• The transformation she wanted to create
• The role that she would play in patient's transformation

Look & Listen: Clarifying the Context

With a clear intention, we immersed ourselves in understanding the clients and competitive landscape:

• In-depth interviews with potential patients
• Analyzed the competitive environment and potential partners
• Mapped the existing narratives around preventive and longevity medicine

This thorough analysis formed the foundation for a Meaningful Marketing approach that would connect Dr. De Vusser's services with her target audience's needs.

Outline: Clarifying the Strategic Narrative

The first part of the brand that fell into place was a meaningful name: Thrive85 clinic. Because the goal is not to extend your life to 100. The promise of this brand is to help you thrive, well into later years. The brand story naturally aligned with Dr. De Vusser's mission while resonating deeply with patient's challenges and hopes.

We crafted a strategic narrative around this promise. As the brand and value propositions took shape, we identified the values, key words, tagline and positioning statement in a Brand Story Book that told the full story of Thrive85 clinic. A story that became an answer to the needs observed in customer research.

Write: Bringing the story to life

In the last phase of the project, we transformed the narrative into tangible elements:

• Developed the full distinctive brand identity
• Created a high-quality intuitive website in collaboration with JK21 studio
• Designed patient materials to educate, empower and inspire
• Developed branded graphics and visual aids to support the story
• Built a Meaningful Marketing plan focused on thought leadership through content marketing, public speaking and partnerships

A Vision for Health Realized

Today, Thrive85 clinic hasn't just launched – it's thriving. The clinic is operating at capacity, serving exactly the kind of clients Prof. Dr. De Vusser hoped to reach. Her vision of preventive medicine has found its audience, proving that when a vision for bold change meets authentic storytelling, transformation happens.

"Working with Julie on the launch of Thrive85 clinic felt like having a partner who was working toward the same goal. She not only helped me get my story and my client very clear but also with implementing my story in my clinic. I think that without Julie's help, Thrive85 clinic would never be where it is now." - Dr. De Vusser

Key Insights

• Authentic Alignment: The success of Thrive85 clinic demonstrates how a strategic story can bring vision, clients and expertise into alignment.
• Simple Strategy: A focused brand and marketing approach (PR, public speaking, light social media) proved perfect for this premium medical brand
• Lasting Impact: The initial project has evolved into an ongoing collaboration, with regular strategy discussions ensuring the brand continues to evolve
• Meaningful Marketing: Honest, targeted communication creates stronger connections with patients than traditional medical marketing approaches.

The Path Forward

The relationship continues to thrive, with regular brainstorming sessions and strategic discussions helping Thrive85 clinic adapt and grow while staying true to its core mission of helping people live healthier, longer lives.‍

‍If you're a healthcare professional or service provider looking to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, let's explore how we can bring your vision to life.