Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christy Flick, co-owner of HealthWorks Family Chiropractic, located in Plano, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I help people regain their lives from pain and poor function! As a family chiropractor, I see patients from newborn to golden age. I am extremely passionate about family health and wellness. Our mission statement starts with, "HealthWorks creates a community of health and wellness." It is my firm belief that our families deserve a level of health that allows them to live a life full of potential and growth.
Tell us about yourself
My health journey started with the birth of my oldest son. It was a hot July day in 1997 when Taylor was born. He was exactly 8 pounds with white-blonde hair and the chubbiest little cheeks. Grandmas would stop us in the grocery store to coo over Taylor and tell us he looked like the Gerber baby.
Taylor was healthy by all standards, I knew, he had no major illnesses, and we spent the first year experiencing milestones and growing together. And then things changed. In 1998, Taylor began to experience ear infections, a snotty nose, and "allergies" that just never went away. Month after month, we visited the pediatrician, Taylor's chubby little baby hands pulling at his ears and his eyes full of tears. Month after month, we were sent home with yet another prescription for antibiotics and no other options.
As a mother who wanted the very best for my baby, I was frustrated, and my gut told me there was a better way. We were not solving any problems. Meanwhile, long-term dangers of antibiotic use were starting to come to light in the media. With the then-new technology of Google, I was able to begin researching other options. We stopped milk products and started to use garlic oil ear drops; we ate organic and even started switching to non-toxic cleaners and detergents. It did make some difference, but the ear infections persisted. That's when I found a research article about chiropractic care and ear infections. This article explained how subluxation – inflammation in the nerve system – can cause ill health, and it's quite common to find this among children with chronic ear infections.
A short week later, Taylor and I made our first trip to the chiropractor.
She did find that Taylor had nerve inflammation at a critical area of the spine called Atlas/ C1. And, moments later, a miracle happened for our small family – Taylor had his first adjustment. Following that first adjustment, Taylor never had another ear infection, his "allergies" resolved, and I rarely saw another snotty nose.
In the years that followed, I came to know more about subluxation and health – it's not just about ear infections or children; it affects all age groups and can cause dysfunction in any part of the body. The nerve system controls all of our body's health and healing, and when the nerves are compromised, ill health follows.
Three years after Taylor's first adjustment, I was enrolled at Parker College of Chiropractic here in Dallas, Texas.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my biggest accomplishments is the world-class team that I've put together to help me serve our HealthWorks Patient Family. Team building can be challenging, but I have one of the most dedicated and loving teams out there. They truly care for each of our patients and help the doctors to see more patients who need their care. It's truly a delight to know and work with each of them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges as a business owner is learning to juggle the many demands that a small business requires to be successful. When the business is new, the owner may perform most, if not all, of those tasks. Then, over time, it's just as important to find the right people to accomplish those tasks so that the owner can focus on the most important things to make the business grow.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you're brand new to a field, my first tip would be to visit as many businesses like the one you'd like to open as possible. This will allow you to find out what you like and what you don't like and come up with a solid plan for your own place. In that same vein, I recommend that you talk to as many of those business owners as you can. Hear what their advice is and what's been challenging for them in that field. You'll find that many successful small business owners love to talk about what they do and offer advice! Finally, surround yourself with success. This means reading books about entrepreneurship, listing to podcasts from your industry and about small businesses, and making friends with other successful small business owners.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Building a business over time is one of the most rewarding experiences. Seeing your vision come to life is a pleasure and incredibly fulfilling. At one point, all that you've created was just a thought in your head- and now it's become a reality! Whether, like me, you're helping your community to find health or, like others, you're serving in a different way, you will not regret pouring your time, attention, and energy into building your dream.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.healthworkstx.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthWorksTX/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthworkstx/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-flick-bb57017/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.