Episode 39: Chiropractic Practice Owner and Single-Mom To Author

This week we have Dr. Andrea Luise, owner of Lakeway Spine Center and author. Andrea has been a practicing chiropractor for 17 years and for the past 8 years has been the sole owner of her practice and a single mom. An insightful question from her daughter two years ago sent her down the path of becoming a published author.

The Start

School focused on the science of chiropractic even though they were told 60% of chiropractors fail in business…there was no business aspect of their educationPracticed for 2 years in Virginia before moving to TexasFell into entrepreneurship after she and her then husband (also a chiropractor) weren't happy with jobs or prospects

The Shift

Single mom and sole business owner was never on her radarAll her eggs are in one basket, pandemic has made it nerve-wrackingA lot of pivoting during the pandemic, changed protocols completelyA major part of the business, massage therapy, was shut down for 2 months, chiropractic was limited (just acute patients)Down about 80% for 2 1/2 monthsTwo years ago, daughter asked her, 'Mom, what would you be if you could be anything?' and 'Author' flew out of her mouth, surprising them bothConcept for book evolved over the pandemic with all the extra time

The Strategy

Narrative driven non-fiction style book - inter weaving personal experiences/life with life in her practice and themes that keep coming up with the patients that she treatsStarted by getting used to writing, sitting down and writing to strengthen that muscleTook a class called Author School, led by literary agent Rachele Gardner (Jen Hatmaker's literary agent) 8-week course taught you to go from typing on your laptop by yourself to being on the shelves at a book store. Learned how important building your platform is, learning how to connect, meet other writers, find her people.

The Action

At first, hiring was on craigslist to find a massage therapist, front desk help, office coordinators but now it's Indeed and local Facebook pagesTo get chiropractic clients: Mostly word of mouth Weekly post on social media for local Facebook sites, and Instagram post on Small Business Tuesday Some print work (hit or miss, people not reading as much mail as they used to) Local neighborhood newsletters Great group of doctors that refer patients to her regularly To build audience and community around her upcoming book, having a strong following if trying to publish traditionally is expected. Focused on building that following Huge underground community of bookstagrammers that support each other 

The Mindset

Up at 5 or 5:30am to work outLunch break to decompress, reading and breathing Compartmentalize loose ends at work so the can be present at homePrayers and gratitude at bedtimeGoals and Vision For the practice - maintain a good team, keep the practice moving forward For writing - start the query process, become represented and published 

The Wrap-Up

If you could listen to one music artist for the rest of your life, who would it be? U2

Where can people find you online?

WebsiteInstagram - ChiropracticFacebook - ChiropracticInstagram - Author