why did you start Shine Chiropractic?
When I graduated from chiropractic school, I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to start my own practice. But I’ve always had a mindset of wanting to do things my own way. I’ve spent a good portion of my life ignoring my intuition and pushing what was right for me deep down, and this was just one of those things I knew I was supposed to do. I needed to follow what I was feeling, step into the light and practice chiropractic the way I wanted to.
With my business, the primary focus is all about helping the body release emotional stress it’s holding onto. We all have many stressors in our lives, or even traumatic experiences that have occurred past or present that we hold onto and store within our bodies. Some of those stressors manifest as physical pain, and some of those stressors manifest with fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, or even depression.
I firmly believe in taking the time with each patient, honoring their time and space to be with me. They are worthy of healing. They are worthy of feeling seen and heard. I firmly believe in incorporating self-care into your lifestyle, and not just using it as an excuse to “do something nice for yourself sometimes.” The more we take care of our bodies and listen to what they are telling us, the healthier and happier we can become.
how do you market your chiropractic practice?
When I first started out, I spent a lot of time networking and meeting people in my community. The only intention I had in mind was meeting someone new and learning about what they brought to this community. I was relatively new to Des Moines, and wanted to learn about the people who made this city so vibrant.
I also spent a lot of time working on my website and blogging. I spent a lot of time blogging about self-care in the first year because it’s what I truly identified with my own personal and professional life. I felt like the more small business owners I met, the more they conveyed to me how difficult it was to manage their self-care and stress.
I also invest a lot of time in FemCity, sponsoring Coffee Connections, and doing my best to support other women in small business.
You can also find me posting on my Facebook and Instagram pretty regularly. Social media gives me a place to showcase how I live my life in and out of my office, but I also love to support and uplift some of my favorite businesses this way, too.
which of these has ways been most successful for you?
This may sound odd, but it’s entirely true for me: the more time I spent on taking care of myself and taking action on only what served my mental well-being, my energy, and my time, the more my business grew. I think this is why I encourage so many to really take care of themselves. That way they can show up fully with what they do, and be able to hold space not only for themselves but for those who they are serving.
name 3 unique things about your practice that differentiate you.
- I listen. I want to make sure my patients feel cared for and that they are being heard when it comes to their health concerns. I feel that is lacking so much in the healthcare field right now. Countless times I’ve had patients come in to see me, and said they felt like their doctor didn’t really listen to them, and didn’t get to the root cause of what could be happening with them.
- I focus on the emotional components that cause disease within the body. I believe that we have all had huge or small traumas in our lives that get stored within our bodies. They can manifest emotionally, physically, and mentally. What we think, put in our bodies, or the traumas that we face can cause nervous system interference or misalignments of the spine. Most chiropractors focus on treating the root physical cause of the pain, but what about if trauma or emotions are stored within?
- I recently started offering reiki + chiropractic together for patients. I feel the more we can align the nervous system and release any energy blockages in one session, the better.
what has been the hardest part of owning your own practice?
You are your own worst enemy, and whatever flaws you think you have will surface. Mine certainly did. Seek help when you need it and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Find a tribe that supports you. Do whatever work on yourself, and don’t hesitate to take a mental health day. You will grow from it.
how do you embed your business into the community?
My practice embeds itself into the community through my personal brand. I am so much more than just what I do. I am outward and passionate about the things I love in this community. I talk about it. I post on social media about it. By outwardly supporting the small businesses that I love, I trust that support comes back to me tenfold.
what advice do you have for others who want to open their own business?
If you aren’t sure if you should go for it or not, go for it. It is terrifying. It is scary. But it is so rewarding to do what you love doing. Do not let fear dictate your ability to grow and evolve more than you know personally and professionally. You deserve to live the life you want, and you truly can do it. Opening my practice was the best decision I ever made because I’m able to honor my time and energy in such a positive way while helping others. It truly brings me so much joy.
where can people find Shine Chiropractic?
Visit my practice inside Inner Space:
1251 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA 50309
Or find me online:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ShineChiroDSM
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShineChiroDSM
Website: www.shinechiropracticdsm.com
