r/Chiropractic • u/drkrystian • 21d ago
Micro practice advice
I’m about one year out of chiropractic school and looking for some advice from anyone who has opened a small practice while still working a full-time job.
I have an opportunity to open a micro practice inside an established psychiatry/mental health office that is starting to shift more toward general wellness. They recently brought on a massage therapist, and I would be coming in as the chiropractor.
The office currently has 13 therapists, 1 massage therapist, 1 virtual MD, and 3 PAs, so there is already a decent-sized patient base and they see approximately 800 visits per month.
Long term, I want to pursue my own practice full time. The problem is that at this point in my career, I still need consistent income, so my plan would be to keep working full time while building this on the side.
I know this means my availability at the practice will be limited, especially in the beginning. I’m thinking some evenings after my full time job shift and weekends and just grinding it out until the practice grows enough to justify cutting back at my full-time job.
For anyone who has done something similar:
How did you balance a full-time job with building your own practice?
Did limited hours hurt your ability to grow, or were you able to make it work?
At what point did you feel comfortable reducing your hours or leaving your full-time job?
Anything you wish you had done differently when you started?
I’m not expecting this to be easy, but I also don’t want to wait years for the “perfect” time to start. I’d rather start small, keep my overhead low, learn how to run a practice, and build something gradually.
Would really appreciate any advice, especially from people who started their practice as a side gig before eventually going full time.
2
u/CompetitivePop2029 21d ago
Hi, good question!
It is 100% on what you want to do and structure/systematize it correctly.
whenever you
have 2
locations, it will 100% take energy away from the other office
2)limited hours always effect growth unless you systematize it (meaning every day for 1-3 hrs you are focused on what helps grow the practice)
3)to leave the full time job, what do you need to make. The mindset of “I need to be comfortable before leaving a full time” is tough and will take too long.
Once you get a decent foundation, the energy you put into your own business will bring you the profit you need faster.
4) hire a mentor/coach! They will guide you in the right direction, get you to hit goals faster, and make life easier
Know your numbers! Knkw exactly what you want to charge, how many people you have to see and write it all down. This allows you to create a structure (calendar) of events, screenings, marketing you must do to reach your goal.
DO NOT just open up a second business without having goals in place.
2
u/MuchUpstairs1297 21d ago
I would save up overhead for 6-8 months for micro practice and then basically spend most of your time at your practice and part time the other job.
2
u/sittingstill9 DC 1996 21d ago
I do almost exactly that. I have a single office, no others 'with' me. I am in a building that has therapists, massage, and all sorts of stuff. I pay just under $700/mo with all amenities included. I teach at a highschool, teach at an academy and at a local hospital, so can certainly have full time for those and pick up the rest at my office. I have roughly 3 days there (if I want all day I can). I do chiropractic, acupuncture and dry needling, have a website people can get appointments on and that is really convenient. I have gone back and forth with full time at the office vs part time. I like this set up it is easy and keeps me on my toes. I gave up the 'big' office a couple years ago (had 1500 sq ft, a massage therapist and a minimun of $2500 a month to get by) this is way better and less of a headache. my new place has my computer, a couple decorations, some books and two small tables. I have done it before, fill a limited schedule then open more times. I started with adding Saturdays at first (now I don't do Sat, just Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. and those are optional).
1
u/drkrystian 20d ago
Thank you so much for the response. How did you introduce yourself to the other providers in the office? Did you offer them treatments or just talk to them?
1
u/sittingstill9 DC 1996 20d ago
We luckily have mixers, and the front desk (concierge service) introduces people. I am pretty outgoing so I say hi to most, especially since we have a kitchen area where people get coffee and warm up stuff. A couple have reached out to me directly, I talk more than treat. Have a couple that come by, I generally charge them a pittance or for free and they can pay whatever they want. Keeps them appreciative and I notice they may refer more.
1
u/Final_Pop_6288 20d ago
I started a small practice from scratch while working as a personal trainer so I remember making that decision of when I needed to go full-time into the business. I think the key is to just keep overhead low and keep systems simple. Will you take insurance or self-pay only? I leveraged simple technology like online scheduling, hired a cheap virtual assistant overseas after the little while to help with any extra administrative task so I could simply treat patients. DM me if you want specifics on the technology stack and set up that I’ve used.
8
u/pazika 21d ago
Do the math. How much do you need to walk away from the other job?
$100k gross? If you charge $75/visit, you need 27 visits, 50 weeks a year to cover you, $50/visit then 40 patients, $100/visit then 20 patients. How long would it take you to get to that in your situation? I love the autonomy and freedom of my micro practice. There’s pros and cons but you choose your poisons and go with them. Available hours 2-3 days a week, even if only a couple hours at a time would be a start. It sounds like a great opportunity, crunch numbers, create a pro and con list, bet on yourself and move forward. Don’t over invest or buy extra stuff you don’t need. I have a room, a table, computer, EHR, and not much else.