We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandy Root a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sandy , 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.
I decided to start my own practice after trying a couple different jobs working with others soon after graduating from school for Oriental Medicine. The first one I didn’t like the model at all. The second one, although it helped me learn more about acupuncture in practice in the real world, after not getting paid on time several times, I finally decided I didn’t want to rely on someone else to create my career, that it could be in my hands. And I then started the journey to creating my own practice, first and foremost finding a space to run my practice, business name, and all the things that come up as you set up your own business. I don’t know that I would have done anything differently, even though there are always challenges and growth opportunities, it all is part of the process. The best advice I’d give is to collaborate with other practitioners who run their own practices. I always learn when speaking with others and they learn from me.
Sandy , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Many think I’ve always been an acupuncturist, but I originally wanted to go for music. I played guitar, viola, drums. I ended up receiving my undergrad in psychology which I went on to waitress and bartend with for a few years, then tried the corporate world for a few years and that’s when I realized not for me at all, then I started delving again into what do I really want to do.
I had always been a lover of natural medicines, natural healing and food as medicine. When I was a kid, I told people to pull their headaches out; that’s how I always got rid of any I had. I can probably count the amount of meds I’ve taken in my life on one hand.
After flipping thru a magazine at my fave health food/herbal shop, I picked acupuncture sort of on a whim, every cell in my body was tingling, and I said yep that’s it that’s what I’m doing. This was about 15 years ago when I and most had still never heard of acupuncture much. Within 2 months I quit my job and was full time in the program.
I am currently in my ✨11th✨year of practicing. I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College in NYC in 2009.
After that, I worked in a no fault clinic, then a holistic center. When neither of those options resonated and with a problem getting paid from the second one, I decided I didn’t want to work for anyone anymore, and started my own practice. I was renting a space in Union Square, and practiced there for a few years, but at the time was also dabbling in some other online opportunities.
It wasn’t until I moved to Miami Beach 7 years ago that I finally went full on into building my practice here 5 years ago and happy to say that this past year, it has grown exactly to where I envisioned it to be.
I am so grateful to be here today supporting our community with this amazing medicine.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I think education has been very helpful for succeeding. Many people don’t know all the benefits that acupuncture has, so by sharing on social media or at speaking engagements, it gives people the opportunity to know how acupuncture can help them.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Instagram! I was surprised when this became one of the top 3 ways that new patients came into my practice. But over time as I shared about acupuncture and its benefits, I received more inquiries and new patients coming in to give it a go.
Contact Info:
- Website: Root-Acupuncture.com
- Instagram: @acupunctureroot