We recently connected with Dr. Shiopei Low and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dr. Shiopei thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

When I decided to open up my own clinic shortly after graduating, I knew it was a big risk. The conventional advice was to start small — work for someone else as an associate to gain experience, or rent a single room from another more established practitioner in order to begin building a client base slowly over time.

Initially, I did actually spent some time trying both of these things. My time working as an associate at a larger practice taught me the importance of having established systems, but I personally felt the urge to do things differently. There were some things I wanted to improve on, but didn’t have the ability to do so in that setting. Next, I decided that I would rent space from another practitioner. While grateful for the opportunity, being in someone else’s space ended being confusing for me, as I didn’t feel that I had the freedom to to set the tone I desired with my patients. All the while an inner voice kept urging me to go for my dream of having my own space, and having the freedom to run my own business as I felt inspired to.

Once my doors finally opened, I felt a great sense of accomplishment, but quickly, the fear anxiety set in — what had I just done? What made me think I could do this? Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life? I think every entrepreneur who finally follows through on their dreams feels this sense of dread. Facing an unknown and uncertain future, even though it is by choice, is terrifying in its own right.

The words “Feel the fear and do it anyway” kept repeating in my head, along with the deep knowledge that at the end of my life, I knew that I would forever regret NOT at least TRYING to do the thing. So I took it day by day. Week by week. Month by month.
Almost a year later, I can say that starting my own practice and getting the doors open was the easy part. The hard part was what came after–coming face to face with my own fears, my own feelings of inadequacy, my imposter syndrome, and learning how to love and support myself through these feelings. I have learned how to better regulate my nervous system so it doesn’t feel raw and electric with fear. I have learned how to calm myself in the present moment. I am learning more and more how to let go of outcomes, and how to cultivate a deeper sense of trust in myself. I am learning that achievements do not give true happiness, but deep and authentic relationships within my community do. I am learning that taking time to celebrate myself is essential for my own sense of well-being, and play is imperative for creativity.

While I still struggle some days, I have realized that it was never about starting my own practice. That was just the vehicle for this journey I’ve undertaken of expanding my own capacity. A journey that has been overwhelming at times, but ultimately a journey that I feel will lead me to a more whole, complete, authentic, free version of myself. Something that I wish for all beings everywhere.

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?

I’m Shiopei Low, I’m a Doctor of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. I have my own clinic located in central Maryland where I specialize in treating chronic pain and dis-ease with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other alternative therapies. My joy is helping folks find freedom in their life again, especially if they’ve been suffering from pain for a long period of time. Many of my patients come to me after having been everywhere else in the standard medical system, only for them to be told “there’s nothing we can do for you — here’s a prescription.” So when they finally come to me, they are losing hope. Because so many of my patients have not had success with conventional treatments, I have the opportunity to make the biggest impact without drugs or surgery.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effect strategy for growing my client base has been storytelling. Telling a story about one of my patients and the results and success they’ve found, and how their life has improved as a result of being in treatment with me has been by far the greatest draw. People see their experiences reflected in the stories I tell. Then, they go out and tell other people about their experience, and it helps others see the value of what I can do for them.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The book “Regenerative Business” by Sam Garcia has been paradigm-shifting. When I first started the business, I was following the gurus who were very much into the “massive intention, massive action, massive results” style of working. Looking back, while I can see how following this advice pushed me further than I would have gone before, it also was not sustainable to me as a human being. This book has helped me understand that in order to have a truly sustainable business, it requires a wildly different way of thinking, structuring, and DOING, that is not based on a model of extraction, hustle, and conquering, but one of working in harmony with our inner rhythms, wisdom, and creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.patapsco-acupuncture.com
• Instagram: okayshopay

Image Credits
Jillian Mills