Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Alladin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Karen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.
My husband and I opened our practice in 2012. We took out a small business loan just to get the main buildout of our space ready, but we decided early on that we would not pay ourselves until we paid off our loan completely. He and I both worked part-time jobs, while any money we earned at our practice went toward aggressively paying off our loan and investing in other items we needed in our clinic. My husband grew up in Louisville, but I was new to this city, so I made sure my part-time jobs also provided an opportunity for me to meet new people and network within my target demographic. Being in the health and wellness industry, I found that continuing to teach yoga part-time was a perfect way for me to meet a community of like-minded people who would also be interested in learning more about my acupuncture practice. I also got a part-time job at Trader Joe’s which was excellent practice for me to talk to a high volume of customers, and practice my customer service skills in a fast-paced environment. I also made an effort to become a good customer and client to other local businesses. I would encourage anyone opening their own practice in the health and wellness industry to make a genuine effort to explore and support other local businesses that might have similar target demographics. As a woman business owner, I have found some of the best resources to me are fellow female entrepreneurs. I have established wonderful relationships with other woman-owned businesses that are also wellness practitioners like chiropractors, massage therapists, yoga and fitness instructors and studio owners, estheticians, physical therapists, and mental health professionals; and the mutual support from these women has been invaluable.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I own Meridian Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. I am a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes the modalities of acupuncture, cupping therapy, gua sha, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine. I see patients by appointment, and in an acupuncture session I use any combination of these treatment modalities, depending on each patient’s individual symptoms or health concerns. On any given day, I address a variety of health issues such as acute and chronic pain, anxiety and depression, stress management, digestive problems, neuropathy, allergies and sinus problems, and the whole spectrum of women’s health, including infertility, menstrual irregularities, and menopausal symptoms, to name a few. The clinical aspect of running an acupuncture practice includes administering acupuncture treatments, writing, modifying, and cooking their herbal formulas, and designing short- and long-term plans with my patients for their sustainable health and well-being. A lot of my job is about educating and empowering my patients about their health. Since 2012, my husband and I have run our practice helping people understand and embrace a holistic approach to their health, emphasizing the impact of dietary and lifestyle changes on their overall health and well-being. In 2018 we purchased the building where our practice is located and have since filled the offices with other holistically-minded practitioners to provide a more complete network of holistic health. Our building houses easily accessible resources to support one’s physical and mental health, which includes Yoga Baum, a yoga studio that provides studio classes, meditation workshops, as well as private instruction for clients needing specific attention for issues like pain and rehabilitation; and Mental Health Louisville, a group of therapists and counselors with a variety of specialties to address all aspects of mental health. It is invaluable being able to collaborate with talented practitioners, teachers, and other clinicians to provide our community with a full spectrum of health and healing.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Being clear about my mission. For me, it’s important to reach people who are motivated to take control of their health and well-being, and in order to find those people, I had to be clear about my mission and my target clientele. I have had great success collaborating with other women who are clinicians and business owners that also run holistically-driven practices. Sometimes these may look like entirely different professions and industries, so my reach grew exponentially when I began to widen my view of what the healthcare industry encompasses. Over the years I have built strong relationships with other woman business owners who are chiropractors, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, massage therapists, midwives, lactation consultants, doulas, yoga instructors, meditation teachers, chefs, and estheticians. If you have a clear idea about the community you are seeking to help, and connect with other practitioners or business leaders with a similar mission, you will help even more people along the way. The healthcare industry should be utilized as a widespread, supportive network that covers a myriad of facets of physical, mental, and emotional health, and connecting with others who share the same mission and passion will only fuel success.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I couldn’t imagine my life without Chinese Medicine. Not only have I found it so valuable for my own health and journey to aging gracefully, it has given me such a deep understanding of what it means to be living a life of balance. I view nearly everything through the lens of Chinese Medicine, which has influenced how I strive to live in harmony with nature, to eat appropriately with the Seasons, how to create a balanced and harmonious living space, and even how to adjust my parenting styles to my kids according to their different elemental constitutions. It permeates every aspect of my life, and I love being able to share this knowledge with people every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meridianlouisville.com
- Instagram: meridian_louisville
Image Credits
Headshot Photos of Karen by Danielle Martin, Chapter 25 Photo