What a nice long weekend to end Midterm Week - and actually the
week wasn't as bad as I expected because a few of my exams were
postponed to another week. Midterms were midterms and a little
hectic. Luckily, I work for the Office of Admissions and they allow
me to take off work for tests or quizzes, which allowed for more
study time. I still have three midterms but being spaced out makes
it more manageable.
Happy Birthday Nation!
I had the opportunity to see two town's fireworks this year.
Wheaton had theirs on Saturday and my husband and I got the
opportunity to see them from the top of a parking garage in
downtown Wheaton probably five miles away from the actual site.
Others had the same idea and were camped out up there. We were able
to see the higher ones and the grand finale. On Sunday, we went to
visit family in Elgin for a barbecue and see the fireworks in St.
Charles, a family tradition. We were able to get front row seating
and man was it great! The fireworks were practically on top of us.
It was a spectacular show with what seemed like three grand
finales! Great job, St. Charles!
Down to Business…
My husband is in business class and he has been completing our
business plan throughout the trimester. We only have a year left to
go and it's kind of scary once you start crunching numbers and
realize how much it is going to cost to start up a business.
Completing a business and marketing plan has been a grueling
process for him and me, when I have time to help him.
Banks require a precise business plan with everything from what
your marketing strategy is to whom your target population is, as
well as growth and much more. The business class consists of
different speakers weekly or bi-weekly. They each have different
areas of expertise and advice to help navigate you in a positive
direction. However, some students in the past have said it needs to
be updated. I am not quite sure what that means, but my husband has
benefitted much from the class. I will most likely take the class
next trimester and I will be more able to describe what we
learn.
The business plan is very consuming and on my husband's mind
non-stop, which can be very stressful. That's probably one of the
reasons that graduates join other practices, because it is an
easier and maybe a safer route. I believe that opening a business
is the right pathway for us, but there are other options such as
teaching, working in hospitals or other clinics, working for
resorts or in spas. Either way, there is something out there for
everyone.
Illinois is pretty flooded with chiropractors but not as many
acupuncturists. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. Good,
because the public is more aware of what chiropractors do and have
to offer, but detrimental because it can be difficult to bring in
new business. There are many marketing strategies but you need to
find the one that will best depict your practice and who you are as
a doctor.
Tidbit: Americans spent over $34 million in CAM therapies
in 2007 and the number is growing. Americans want other options and
are seeking them out.