We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Valenti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Reflecting on the beginning, it seems like a lifetime ago. I was young, eager and naive – the perfect recipe for diving head first into the abyss. Naivety being the main ingredient. Starting a private practice with one semester of business class was eventful, to say the least. If I were to give any advice to a young professional it would be to either find mentors or take a few classes. In the last year I’ve been lucky enough to attend a free business mentorship program led by the Women’s Business Center here in Utah. I was also just accepted into the Goldman Sachs SB10k, a 12-week business coaching program. These are all free resources available to small business owners and I highly recommend finding programs in your city!

In the last seven years of business entrepreneurship, I’ve learned so much. The first thing is trusting and believing wholeheartedly in what it is you’re selling. If you don’t believe in your business, how will others? Secondly, recognize when it’s time to delegate jobs. Running a small business is a full time endeavor and it’s not realistic to do it all alone! Try to calculate the value of your time and if hiring an accountant, social media manager, booking manager, etc, allows you to build your business in other ways, it’s time to hire out!

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 back background and context?

My connection to acupuncture began in 2010 when I sprained my neck. I started working regularly with a physical therapist and she referred me to an acupuncturist in their office.

At the time, I was months away from starting nursing school and had spent a lot of time in the western medical field. My acupuncturist spent two hours explaining the basics of eastern medicine. I was mesmerized and immediately googled acupuncture schools. Shortly after, I applied to the graduate program in San Diego and the rest of my life started right then and there. I chose an integrative program because I highly value western medicine and didn’t believe there was a one-size-fits-all approach to healing.

When I started Valenti Acupuncture my goal was to create a place where people could feel truly safe. I wanted my patients to know that my goal is not to sell you on my practice but to help you feel better. Sometimes I have the tools to accomplish that, and other times I recognize there may be other modalities that better suit you.

To assure my patients have access to other services, I have invested a lot of time networking to create a web of reliable practitioners for my patients to lean on. An overall “care team” where you feel that I’m working in your best interest and not in competition with other therapies.

I have a unique perspective on my “competitors” in that I don’t view them as such. I believe the more we support others, the more support we receive. I believe in the wellness industry the goal is support people on their healing journey. The more we lift each other up, the closer we get to achieving our goals as a community.

This year I became the sole owner of Terra Care SLC. An alternative health care clinic that was founded in 2018 by myself and four incredible practitioners. Terra is more than an office space, but a place within the community that brings people together. It’s a venue, a healing space and a place many can call “home”. I’m most proud of being a space holder for creatives, healers and passion driven people in our community.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Becoming a member of your community is key in building a strong reputation. Showing up for others and being present in places where you can build relationships and network is so important. It takes more than paying for google ads or posting on instagram to be a valid member of a community. Meet for coffee, show up to others events, and promote those around you to build that foundation as a reliable business/brand within your city.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Two months after I opened my doors, my mom fell into a comatose state from West Nile Encephalitis. She was on life support within two days of being in the hospital. I had to cancel my busiest week to date, I reluctantly called 13 new patients and told them I didn’t know when I’d be back.

For seven months I left Utah every month for 1-2 weeks to go help caretake. Not even one year into my new practice my mom passed away. I took about two weeks off, flew back to Utah, and began my full-time practice again. It is truly a miracle my business survived and I still treat some of those same patients I had to cancel way back when.

Fast forward three years later, Covid-19 arrives and for some reason, I did not apply for financial support. I kept thinking “I’m an essential worker, we will probably open up next week” but had so many internal fears around viruses because that’s what killed my immunocompromised mother. It was a finically and emotionally trying time to say the least. Again, I am very thankful to have been one of the small businesses that have survived this challenging time.

It’s incredible to reflect on how far I’ve come as a business. The last three years I have been voted best acupuncturist in the state, I have built a group practice with three other acupuncturists, hired an assistant and recently a social media manager! It hasn’t been easy but I’m thankful I didn’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: valentiacupuncture.com & terracareslc.com
• Instagram: @valentiacu @terracareslc

Image Credits
Rachael Galipo Jasper Gibson Moe Lauchert