We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alessandra Colon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alessandra below.
Hi Alessandra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
A recent graduate and doctor, I took a job opportunity in Margate, New Jersey. Soon after Hurricane Sandy had left my area in devastation. That said, I decided to hop in my car and drive to sunny Florida. I asked a friend if I could crash on his couch promising I’d find a job to help out. Within 48 hours I found a job listed on craigslist working as a chiropractic assistant, with a doctoral degree making $9 an hour to make ends meet. Within 6 months, I quickly realized as much as I was learning, my potential and creativity was being wasted. My bosses at the time left me feeling undervalued despite all my hardwork and above satisfactory performance. It was then I decided to take matters into my own hands. I was able to find a job as a “partner,” making $900 a week and in desperation I made the number one mistake in business. I signed on the dotted line without reading the contract. I had been taken advantage of but with $23 to my name, it became a game of sink or swim. So I swam. I took the company from 150 to 700 patients a month. I learned the ins and outs of business they don’t teach in school: marketing plans, billing, finances, overhead, payroll and accountability. All without any compensation for 2.5 years. The grind however, taught me an even bigger lesson. That I was a worthy leader capable of anything I put my mind to. Eventually, I moved on to work along with Papa Chiropractic, bringing almost 90% of my clients with me and opened two other companies where I could be my own boss without limitations. What a testament it was to all the hard work I put in. My biggest advice for anyone looking to go out on their own: 1. Don’t have expectations of earnings and be ready to sacrifice. If you want more, then go get it, but keep your ego aside. Hard work does not equate entitlement and no one is going to do it for you 2. Seek out a mentor who has your best interest at heart or put yourself in a room where others have already succeeded. Learn to take criticism and GROW at all costs. 3. Be ready to fail, but get back up . It is part of the journey. While you’re at it, drown out all the negative noise. People will feel the need to give you advice, take what you can get but remember no one will want it like you. 4. Always read the fine print 5. Don’t stop, keep pushing and know your worth.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
There was no doubt I always wanted to be a doctor. My mother worked in healthcare, and many times I would tag along with her when she did not have childcare. Pretending to play doctor. In later years, I was diagnosed with cancer and this furthered my interest, as the medical world saved my life. However, there were lots of complications to follow after receiving chemo and radiation. A friend of mine then introduced me to chiropractic care. It was then I first learned about wellness and the power of body healing through natural remedy and spinal alignment. I was blown away as most people negated chiropractic at the mention of it. Boy was I wrong. I have now been in practice for 10 years, serving the Palm Beach community in sports injury, auto accidents, pre/post natal care, pediatric, non-surgical spinal decompression, extremities and any pains you can think of. In combination with physical therapy from minor issues to post-surgical rehabilitation, optimal results are achieved. Proud to be one of the best in our area.
I am most proud of the education we are spreading in regards to what chiropractic care is. We are breaking all the connotations surrounding our profession. Leaving clients knowledgeable of our scope of practice and the supporting science behind it. Most have listened to the old medical indoctrinations and are starting to awaken to new healing processes and straying from over medication. With pharmaceutical distrust on the rise, people are seeking other avenues. This is where we play a key role in human function. In the end, there is a time and place for both and I truly believe in working alongside other healthcare providers to achieve the best results and overall patient care.We simply do it ALL!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Passion. Love of patient care. Customer service. As cliche as it is, if you love what you do you will have never worked a day in your life. I am blessed to say that 90% of my clients are from internal marketing: patients speaking to others. This is proof that the love you put into your practice is exactly what you will sow. I would like to think my clients feel positive energy from the moment they are greeted by my outstanding and friendly staff. They deserve all the credit. To the feels and education of their bodies after having sat down with me as their physician. I have three rules in my office: 1. do your work 2. Have fun 3. In that order. It is key in running a fun, balanced and well-oiled office. It makes for less monotonous days and establishes trust in the doctor-patient relationship when they feel comfortable and listened to. This drives our Google reviews, word the mouth and social media campaigns. For this reason, I don’t focus as much on external marketing saving company dollars and time. However, that is not to say the company is not heavily inundated in community activities and local sponsorships. There is certainly a balance in keeping your name out there and giving back.
Overall, keeping it real is why we shine. I would not have it any other way as patients look forward to coming in time and time again.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Respect. Upon hiring, I tell my staff the expectations I hold from day one. There is a difference between a boss and a leader. A boss uses others for the benefit of oneself. A leader benefits himself but carries with him the team. I choose to be a leader first. One of my main rules is holding accountability for yourself. So rather than focus on the mistake, make an effort to correct it or find a solution. Excuses are not an option and ultimately lead nowhere. Secondly, I always find ways to integrate laughter into my office. The healthcare profession can be very draining as it is a constant action of giving. There are times I have hid to scare my employees, play games, go out for team lunches, celebrate and verbally let them know when we have done well. I have even gotten the patients involved. Affirmation is key–and a great leader is something I continue to reflect and improve on daily.
Third, I encourage my staff to bring ideas to the table, as well as keep my door open for any conversations. It empowers them to do better and expand in their roles.
Ultimately, these tools keep morale and staff retention high. From a business perspective, it lowers time, energy and money spent on training and turn around. Everyone wins.
Contact Info:
- Website: papachiro.com
- Instagram: @misschiropractic
- Facebook: Papa Chiropractic
- Other: Tiktok: misschiropractic and papachiropractic