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

Alright, Shelby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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.

Choosing acupuncture in my college years was a step towards self-care and a career that promised growth and diverse healing practices. It was a path lit by hope, diverging from the shadows of a challenging childhood. I wanted a career that would promote my evolution and keep me from sinking into the dark of night. With that being said, going into the medical field was not a far cry from what should have been my destiny. My family’s roots run deep in medicine, with ancestors who were deeply connected to health and the earth. My father was an optometrist and my sister a surgical tech. Blending these legacies, I ventured into the realm of alternative medicine, merging the wisdom of the past with my own aspirations.⁠ ⁠
Upon finding acupuncture, I was excited about its potential as a new and ‘ground level’ career option and was convinced I could make very good money, especially in underserved communities where alternative health options are limited. Embarking on this journey, I was unaware of the challenges ahead. A startling truth in the world of acupuncture is the high number of graduates who leave the practice within five years, many struggling under the weight of student debt, in a profession where financial rewards are often modest compared to our extensive training.⁠ This would all come to light after graduating from a four year Master’s program in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

I am known for being driven, productive, and to deal with life head on. So I started interviewing for acupuncture positions months before I graduated. Because of this, I had a ‘job’ lined up right away, so I hit the ground running. I put ‘job’ in quotations becuase there are very few W-2 positions available in my field. Most of us are small business owners or Independant Contractors, which I was not aware of before diving in. I started my first business “Full Circle Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic” by renting space in an integrative clinic for a pretty penny every month but received many in house referrals that quickly supported me. I was fortunate to have great tech support via my best friend, and eventually my husband, that provided me with beautiful branding, a website, and all the promotional materials I needed to get started quickly.

I watched many of my schoolmates struggle to find viable employment during those first few years. I was one of the few that had consistent work and thus a paycheck. But I do think there is good reason behind it: putting yourself in a position where you are receiving referrals (and moral support) from your coworkers, coupled with a good online presence, plus business networking gave me an advantage that I firmly believe is reproducible. I was able to sell my first business after a few years of practice when my husband got offered a ‘once in a lifetime’ career move that took us out of state.

When I started my second practice, I knew exactly what to do and right away spent good money on getting my website optimized and making sure my online presence surpassed my competitors (which was much easier to do then than it is now). I sent referral letters to doctors so they would develop name recognition as well. But I think the real kicker was when I decided to specialize in the treatment of fertility concerns, as this niche set me apart from general practitioners as a specialist, which not only makes you more sought after but also commands a higher fee. I would recommend specializing to anyone. It doesn’t mean I don’t see other concerns, because I do. But my lens of detail is sharper as I have honed my skillset.
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In my years as a healer and a business owner, wisdom has been my harvest. I’ve navigated the intricacies of running a business without losing myself. It took a decade to learn the art of balance – treating just enough patients without compromising care. I’ve embraced the responsibility of being present for my patients, just as I yearn for someone to be there for me, and learned the importance of honesty and setting realistic expectations.⁠
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In our space, every person is listened to, respected, and cared for with utmost compassion and skill. I often say, half in jest, that staying with us can transform your life. This I believe with all my heart.⁠

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As Clinical Director at Common Ground Wellness, I am honored to offer Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as amazing tools with centuries of empirical evidence for healing and self-development to my community in Louisville and beyond. My training in Functional Medicine provides a modern lens that further deepens the resources available for real transformation and self-empowerment. Using the combination of thorough health history, diagnostic assessment, and compassionate touch I guide patients on their path to wellness and coach them on ways to live more aligned, intentional, and ease-filled lives.

I was fortunate enough to find Chinese Medicine at a young age. I began meditating at age fifteen, started doing yoga at eighteen, and delved into Eastern philosophy with the intention to become an acupuncturist at age twenty. This early exposure to alternative health endowed me with a discerning mind and breadth of experience that I now offer to my patients as they seek true wellness. My undergraduate studies in Eastern philosophy, Western Medicine, and nutrition at Indiana University paved the way for my Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, one of the leading acupuncture schools in the county with research funding through the National Institute of Health.

My Fellowship with the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine brings fertility expertise to my patients seeking assistance with getting pregnant and maintaining healthy pregnancies, an issue I am incredibly passionate about. As a Holistic Fertility Specialist and Certified Women’s Integrative Medicine Institute Practitioner, I offer highly customized and effective solutions to hormonal, digestive, and emotional struggles via one on one coaching.

I currently reside in The Highlands neighborhood of Louisville Kentucky with my tech-savvy husband, my soon-to-be engineering college student son, my extroverted creative elementary school daughter, Timber the One-eyed Dog, and Juniper the Adventure Kitty. We own a travel trailer and camp all over the country as often as we can because communing with nature has always been the way I nourish myself most deeply. I am also a vegetable and herb gardener, an avid supporter of local farmer’s markets, a fairly good cook, a voracious reader of fiction, and prioritize authentic communication and deep conversation.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life and career, however, depending on which state you practice in, there are limitations to an acupuncture license. For many, this is not an issue. But for my speciality in fertility and my functional medicine training, not being able to order labwork that can be billed under insurance is an issue I deal with every single day. To that end, I would have gone to nursing school prior to acupuncture school instead. But I did not know my long term plan upon entering college, so I cannot beat myself up for it. I have considered going back to school for a nursing degree, which I could do in two years, but after eight years of post-secondary education, I am not very excited about more formal education! Instead, I have considered moving to a state that offers acupuncturists primary care status (California, New Mexico, and Florida)

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

I think a good business coach and mentor is the key to success. They will inspire you, push you out of your comfort zone, and call you on your bull$#!%. My coach has kept me honest and refuses to let me play small. Another great asset is a business group. I started my own here in Louisville with other women owned healing arts businesses and it has been a wonderful addition to my business growth mindset. We support each other, share ideas, act as sounding boards for difficult situations, share resources, and laugh at ourselves and each other. It has been such a great tool that I wish I would have started it sooner!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.commongroundlouisville.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbyvancleve
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAcupuncture
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@commongroundwellness
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/common-ground-wellness-louisville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Image Credits
Jessie Kriech-Higdon photo