Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Have you looked at the CAN Google Map lately?(A million thanks to MichelleF for creating this beautiful thing).It’s amazing.Every week there are more pins on the map, and more actual pins on the physical map hanging on my waiting room wall.So many new pins, in fact, that I actually need to buy some more pins!How cool is that?
Now look at the map again.Notice something?There are vast stretches of this great land where there’s nary a pin in sight.And this is what I want to talk about for my very first blog.Are you thinking about opening a community acupuncture clinic?Do you have a friend who’s interested in opening a CA clinic?Are you a newly-minted acupuncture school graduate (or do you know one) who is terrified and clueless about how to build a practice, make a living, pay off student loans, and make your way in this world practicing the medicine you love?Are you up for an adventure?
Here’s my advice: find a blank spot on the map, move there, and open up a community acupuncture clinic.
Here’s my story (short version):I graduated from acupuncture school 5 years ago.I loved my school so much that I worked there for three years after graduating.After having enough of the City of Angels, I moved back to my hometown to work in a group acupuncture practice.It all added up to 4+ years of private room practice.I liked treating patients, but I wasn’t happy.I looked around at my colleagues, and realized that the ones who were happy were the ones who had taken risks.So I took at risk.I moved a few hours down the interstate to Nashville, TN, where I knew less than 5 people.It was scary.But here’s the deal: a few months later, I just wrapped up my 11th week of business, and I provided over 100 treatments this week.I REALLY don’t think this is due to any marketing genius on my part.One of my new patients said it best: “We’re obviously hungry for this.” It’s true.People everywhere need acupuncture.They need you.
There are entire states of the Union, states with lots of electoral votes, that don’t have a CA clinic!Virginia, Ohio, Nevada, Indiana, Georgia (the Olympics were there, for God’s sake!).Let’s spread out!Small towns, big urban centers, there are literally millions of people who need affordable acupuncture!Just move there!Seriously, call me if you need a pep talk.It’s scary, I know.But it’s also amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful.You won’t be sorry.
“If you don’t risk anything you risk even more.”-Erica Jong
Author: Alexa Hulsey
Hey y'all! I opened my CA clinic here in beautiful Music City, USA, in January 2010. I love hanging out with other community acupuncturists, so come visit!
Yay!
One of my favorite topics. Thanks, Alexa for the great, encouraging post, and congratulations on helping so many Nashvillians already! (I can just see it: millions of Nashvillians, chillin’ like villains!)
Auntie Nora is also available for those pep talks, or asskicks if necessary. 313-831-3222
Living in a vicinity where you simply drive your car
Living in a vicinity where you simply drive your car and cross borders, is such a gift.
Ohio will hopefully have a
Ohio will hopefully have a pin on it by August! 3 of us are opening a clinic in central Columbus. It’s taking longer than we’d like because the owner of the building is renovating the entire inside of the building for us, it should be fabulous!
Miami
is begging for one, even! All those FLA clinics and none in Miami, I am stumped. Just had a couple of patients from there visiting Philly, and nowhere to refer to…
Miami is getting a CAP soon…
I spoke with a motivated student last week who has a partner and a plan….
Picture this…
This time last year, Utah had one CA. There are at least three now, one of which is mine, and within two months, if all goes according to the plans I’ve heard, there will be five. If that’s indicative of the general growth trend across the country, your map is going to be getting rather stuffed, rather quickly! Keep up the good work.
I have a regular
in a band doing a month’s residency in NYC – they didn’t have time to duck in to see the CANNERs in Asheville en route there, but have the locate a clinic list and expect to use it at some point in NYC and the NE this month. and possibly en route back to Denver as well.
that makes me very happy.
@ Jenn
It’s great to have patients tell their familes in other places about CA. One of my patients told her nephew in Boulder about CA, and he is now a patient at a CA there. Her neice was in town from NYC. She had 1 expensive treatment and now she and all of her professional dancer friends are looking into the clinics in NYC and Brooklyn.
Grow Grow Grow
huge thank you!
This is awesome!
I look forward to watching Canada Grow!
Michael Victoria, BC
“sing’in rooty toot toot for the moon!”
http://www.hemma.ca
Ohio, really?
I’m interested in finding out how you 3 will accomplish this feat. I’m studying outside of my home state and hoped to return home to do CA but the laws require one to “perform acupuncture for a patient only if the patient has received a physician’s written referral or prescription for acupuncture.” And no herbal prescriptions. Please share your insight on this as I am beginning to look elsewhere although I’d prefer to go home. Thank you!
We’re in Miami
We are in Miami.
http://www.MiamiCommunityAcupuncture.com
Right now, we are located beside Baptist Hospital in a medical office complex. however, we are actively searching for a larger retail space.
~ Evan Haas
I apologize for the delayed
I apologize for the delayed response, I haven’t been to skilled on navagating this website. Regarding the physician referrals, legislation passed about a year ago that if you have been out of school for a year, you no longer need a referral. Big step for us. Currently only doctors can prescribe herbs, but that will probably change here soon too. Will keep you posted.