Dr. Caitlin Pietrosanto is a chiropractor and small business owner. Since March 2013, she has owned and operated a chiropractic and wellness practice in Hastings-On-Hudson, New York. Her practice, “aims to create a wellness-focused mindset and incorporate the many benefits of chiropractic into the healthy lifestyles of as many people as possible.”
October is National Chiropractic Health Month and we wanted to learn more about what chiropractic practitioners experience when running their businesses. We asked Dr. Pietrosanto to share what she’s learned from her journey with her practice, Hasting on Hudson Chiropractic and Wellness.
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Q: How did you get into in this type of care?
Dr. Pietrosanto: Chiropractic was a huge part of my life growing up. I suffered from severe migraines and thought that there was nothing that could help my pain. Then, I found chiropractic and I was relieved of my pain and knew that I wanted to help other people find the care they need to relieve their own pain.
Q: What do you like most about what you do?
Dr. Pietrosanto: I love helping people; it makes me so happy when patients leave my office feeling better than when they walked in. I love to use my hands as tools and truly be able to help people become more in tune with their bodies.
Q: How did you decide to take the leap into owning your own practice?
Dr. Pietrosanto: I have always wanted to be a small business owner. Throughout chiropractic school, we were told that there are many ways that a chiropractor can choose to practice: as an associate in another practice, as a partner, conducting research, or starting your own practice. I never took the other options seriously; there was only one option for me. Even though I knew it was going to be hard (and boy did I face obstacles), I have always wanted to be my own boss.
Q: Looking back, what were the important things you did when you were just starting up?
Dr. Pietrosanto: I put my ego aside and took advice. While I didn’t want to hear what anyone said about finances, overhead, and practice models, I had to listen and take advice or I would not have even gotten off the ground.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge of owning your own practice?
Dr. Pietrosanto: The business and financial side is difficult for someone like me with no business background. I find myself constantly saying, “I just want to be the Chiropractor!” As I grow, I look forward to the day that I can hire more people to properly take on the roles that I need filled.
Q: What kinds of things are you doing today to help your practice grow?
Dr. Pietrosanto: I am currently offering referral incentives. Chiropractic is a very hands on and personal service, so it’s important that people feel comfortable. There is no better way for a person to know they will be comfortable than when a family member or friend recommends me.
Q: What is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started your own practice?
Dr. Pietrosanto: To always stay positive and keep pushing forward.
3 Important Things Every New Practice Should Do
Q: What are the three most important things a new practice can do to set themselves up for success?
Dr. Pietrosanto:
- Start with capital.
- Obtain advisers with different areas of expertise (finance, business, marketing, etc.).
- Recognize that it won’t always be easy! Owning a business is a struggle and can be downright exhausting! Prepare for the hard work and effort that you will need to put into your business.
Q: What is the one thing you wish people knew about Chiropractic care?
Dr. Pietrosanto: Chiropractic care is for everyone! You don’t have to be hurting to come in and see me; I actually prefer that you are not! It is important to get your spine checked so that you can function at 100%.
Dr. Pietrosanto has been a PaySimple customer since 2014
“It is a good fit for my practice because I wear all of the hats. When there is something as seamless as PaySimple that I can use to quickly collect payments and move onto the next patient, it helps me move my day along.”
