It has been incredible to have my greater chiropractic community support me in every step and encourage me to thrive in the practice of my dreams.
In my final two quarters at Life West, I didn’t have a plan for after graduation other than to make money, since the loans were going to end, and finding work somewhere in California that felt in alignment with my values – pun intended.
It was my roommate in a local “Chiro House” who referred me to her chiropractor 200 miles north of the Bay Area who was in need of an Associate. My roommate shared that she wanted someone willing to do Activator technique at her high volume family practice near Mount Shasta.
I landed a very decent base salary with fair bonus structures and additional benefits in her well-established practice, where acquiring my own patients via marketing and spinal screenings wouldn’t be necessary – much of it was overflow. I also wasn’t fixed on one particular chiropractic technique during the Life West program, and was always open to using any that provided many patients with good outcomes.
“I also wasn’t fixed on one particular chiropractic technique during the Life West program, and was always open to using any that provided many patients with good outcomes.”
I worked there as Associate for one year, where I grew into my role as Doctor, and funneled my passion into patient education. Patients regularly expressed praise and positive feedback through my whole time there, some even suggesting I could have my own practice someday. While that was nice to hear, I didn’t want to think about running a business or managing staff as it felt overwhelming for me.
That same encouragement also came from my chiropractic mentors, colleagues, and my loved ones who suggested I had everything I needed to create my dream practice.
“That same encouragement also came from my chiropractic mentors, colleagues, and my loved ones who suggested I had everything I needed to create my dream practice.”
One year later, after becoming an esteemed associate at this practice, saving up a decent chunk of change, and relishing in the success of this amazing healthcare profession, I decided to return back to the Bay Area where my heart felt rooted. Upon return, I took a hiatus for two months to recollect myself, recover from some post-grad burn out, and traveled. While visiting family in Canada, I created my chiropractic corporation, web site, business cards, and purchased EHR software. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but I felt excited with the freedom to create my practice the way I envisioned it, and staying true to myself.
I was given a wonderful opportunity by one of my many chiropractic mentors to use her clinic space and equipment for a very fair return. She allows me to be myself and do whatever I want as an independent contractor, doctor, and breathwork practitioner.
It was all feeling so good until this past winter, when the multitude of pressures of building a business – entrepreneurship – which isn’t what I originally enrolled into the program for, began to bubble up. I only wanted to see patients and help them feel better. My mind quickly turned into chaos as I attempted to sort out all the aspects of starting a solo practice: business management, scheduling, marketing, community outreach, professional networking, social media content, finances, etc.
During this process, I was also seeking a part-time associate position in an established clinic to continue my chiropractic work, see patients as a supporting doctor, further develop my skills in multiple techniques, and provide financial security while building a business.
I humbly lean on my chiropractic mentors who, to this day, offer abundant support, always sharing their experiences of their first 2-3 years in practice, and offering great suggestions on what steps I can take next. I feel grateful knowing we all exist in this small yet interwoven community of doctors, and it feels deeply comforting to know that support is available each step of the way.
Some practices have wanted me on deck as a full-time associate, and I have maintained a boundary to keep time and space for my own practice. I was offered a LOCUM position at a clinic to cover a DC’s medical leave which I took for 3 months as a side hustle one day a week. This was a great experience to continue working with patients, without the pressure of running a business and the overhead. It was of great value to see how another chiropractor practices, and it felt good to take care of his patients while he recovered, while making another paycheck.
Today, I have a comfortable variety of chiropractic practices in the San Francisco East Bay. I work part-time mornings at a chiropractic clinic in Pleasanton, while keeping my independent practice at my mentor’s clinic in Berkeley where I offer chiropractic and breathwork therapy. I am searching for another location to offer breathwork, and am open to more part-time gigs in chiropractic when opportunities present themselves to me. I enjoy the diverse range of practices, and keeping things creative, open and exciting. While moments felt incredibly easy, and others felt overwhelmingly anxious, it has been incredible to have my greater chiropractic community support me in every step and encourage me to thrive in the practice of my dreams.
Follow Dr. Katie on Instagram: @bastable.chiropractic
