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

Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Opening my practice was both an exciting milestone and an immediate test of my strength and perseverance. Just two months after I started, my mother fell into a comatose state due to West Nile Encephalitis. She went from being an active competitor in equestrian sports to 100% incapacitated in a matter of days. I had to cancel my busiest week yet, calling 13 new patients to explain that I didn’t know when I’d return. Over the next seven months, I traveled to care for her, taking 1-2 weeks off each month. Less than a year into my practice, my mother passed away. After taking several weeks to grieve, I returned to Utah and rebuilt my full-time practice. It’s a testament to the loyalty of my patients and the foundation I had laid that my business survived. I still treat some of the patients I had to cancel during that difficult time.

Three years later, the COVID-19 pandemic brought another set of challenges, particularly the financial strain of running a small business during unprecedented times. Like many others, I hesitated to apply for financial support, assuming I’d reopen quickly as an essential worker. However, the uncertainty and extended closures took a significant toll. Statistically, over 200,000 small businesses in the U.S. permanently closed during the first year of the pandemic, highlighting just how vulnerable small businesses were during that time. Despite the odds, my practice survived, which is something I am incredibly grateful for.

For anyone considering starting their own practice, my advice is this: Build a strong community to lean on. In my early days, I devoted significant time and energy to creating a network of women-owned businesses and fostering relationships within my local community. Supporting other businesses and cultivating a strong referral network not only strengthened my practice but also created a foundation of mutual support. Unexpected challenges are inevitable, but resilience, adaptability, and a solid support system—both personal and professional—are key to long-term success.

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 journey into acupuncture began in 2010 when I sprained my neck. While receiving physical therapy, I was referred to an acupuncturist in the same office to complement my treatment. At the time, I was also grappling with a profound personal loss that left me in a deep depression. Certain something physiological was wrong, I sought answers through medical testing, convinced it had to be more than grief. Multiple doctors diagnosed me with depression and recommended medication, but I hesitated.

I was months away from starting nursing school and had spent significant time in the Western medical field, yet I struggled with the idea of taking antidepressants. I worried that if I didn’t allow myself to fully grieve, stopping the medication later might bring all that unprocessed emotion back. When I shared this concern with my acupuncturist, her response surprised me: “We can work on that here.”

I had no idea acupuncture could address emotional well-being, but within weeks—and with the help of Chinese herbal formulas and consistent acupuncture—I started to feel like myself again. My energy returned, and so did my passion for life. This experience changed everything for me. I began researching acupuncture schools and was accepted into a graduate program in San Diego. From that point forward, my life shifted toward helping others heal in ways I had experienced firsthand.

I chose an integrative program because I deeply value the strengths of both Western medicine and Chinese medicine. I believe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to healing, and my goal has always been to give my patients options—whether it’s natural alternatives, complementary treatments, or a combination of both.

At Valenti Acupuncture, we specialize in mental health, women’s health, pain management, sports medicine, fertility, and more. Over the years, I’ve grown from a solo practitioner to running a thriving team practice, which has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. Managing a team has challenged me to grow as a leader and foster an environment where both patients and staff feel supported and valued.

One of the achievements I’m most proud of is obtaining an H1B visa for an employee, allowing us to retain a talented team member and support their path toward U.S. citizenship. It’s deeply meaningful to me to have built a business that not only sustains me but also uplifts my team and contributes to my community.

What sets Valenti Acupuncture apart is our commitment to creating a healing environment that addresses the whole person, not just their symptoms. Our patients often describe feeling truly seen and supported, which is the foundation of what we do. I’m proud of the culture we’ve cultivated—one rooted in compassion, empowerment, and the belief that healing is a collaborative journey. Together with our patients, we work toward their vision of true wellness, uplifting and supporting them every step of the way.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made as a practice. It’s been a journey of growth and learning, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’m passionate about expanding in ways that stay true to our mission of making holistic, healing care accessible to everyone who walks through our door.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I’ve been managing a team since 2021, and it’s been a journey of learning and growth. In the last year, the most important investment I’ve made is in myself as a leader. I’ve focused on growth through books, courses, studying business management, and taking advantage of free mentorship opportunities through my state and city. I’ve realized that in order to foster a healthy culture for my team, I need to be the best leader I can be.

Through this process, I’ve learned the importance of consistent team meetings, check-ins, and open, honest communication. It’s crucial to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Regular feedback helps to identify and address potential issues before they grow, and it shows the team that their voices are heard and valued.

I also believe in the power of recognition. Celebrating small wins and acknowledging hard work can go a long way in boosting morale and motivation. Team members want to feel like their contributions matter, and a little appreciation can make a huge difference.

Lastly, a key factor in maintaining high morale is leading by example when it comes to work-life balance. As a leader, I make it a priority to encourage my team to take care of themselves, take breaks, and avoid burnout. When your team sees you value your own well-being, they’re more likely to do the same.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my career was transitioning from being an acupuncturist to becoming an entrepreneur. Acupuncture school prepares you to be a skilled practitioner, but it doesn’t prepare you for the complexities of running a business. Early on, I was deeply focused on providing excellent care to my patients, but as my practice grew, I quickly realized that in order to scale, I needed to shift my mindset from practitioner to business owner.

In 2018, I co-founded Terra Care SLC with four other women. Over time, the responsibilities of managing the wellness center grew, and I eventually became the sole owner. Today, I run my acupuncture practice out of Terra and manage the wellness center, which offers a range of holistic services such as pilates, nutritional wellness, personalized coaching, bodywork, and acupuncture. I also oversee events, manage tenants, and create opportunities for community engagement through workshops, art shows, and wellness-focused gatherings.

This transition from practitioner to business owner was a significant shift. I had to learn to balance clinical work with the demands of running a business. I quickly realized that to create a thriving, sustainable practice, I had to adopt a more entrepreneurial mindset. This meant learning new skills in finance, marketing, and team leadership, which was challenging given that acupuncture school didn’t provide any formal business training.

As I continue to develop both Valenti Acupuncture and Terra Care SLC, I am dedicated to fostering an environment where holistic health and community connection can thrive. At Valenti Acupuncture, my focus is on providing personalized care that supports each individual’s path to wellness. Meanwhile, Terra serves as a hub for integrative health services, offering a reliable referral base and a variety of services under one roof. Both businesses are aligned in their mission to make holistic care accessible and empowering, and I am excited to keep growing and evolving in ways that benefit both my patients and the broader community.

Contact Info:

• Website: valentiacupuncture.com & terracareslc.com
• Instagram: @valentiacu @terracareslc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-valenti-82532016/

Image Credits

Samantha Franks & Rachel Galipo