Q:

My problem was obtaining funding. I have $5,000 which I figure will last 3 months.  I am 
in a town of 20,000.  Do you think the funds I have will get me started. I will lease my 
equipment from Hesso for $250 a month and $600 for rent. 

A:

$5000 is not much and may help you pay rent  and living expenses for awhile but you also 
need some breathing room so your "survival time" is less stressful. Also .. do you have a 
practice location and do you know the cost of lease etc? If you can plan your activity for the 
next 3-6 months showing specific promotional projects and how you can make it happen in 
a cost effective way it will help. This way it is helping you breathe easier as patients begin 
to pay their way and you can begin to see your way clear. 

So .. this is your project and is contingent on you having a place to call your office and 
business cards and letterheads to write letters from. If not then it is still a valid project but 
for a near future date once everything is in place.

 Okay .. take a calendar and map out the next three months beginning next month. Plan 
each day so each is a project or leading to a finished product such as 
1: will meet 20-30 people in the community today and give out business cards and ask them 
a very important question: "Hi, I am Dr. and I'm considering opening a chiropractic 
practice here in town. I decided to ask people if they think it is a good location and if they 
would consider chiropractic care for themselves and others." If they are helpful ask where 
they consider a good location to be. If they are a business take a card .. be prepared to also 
collect names and e-mail addresses and phone numbers for future mailings about an Open 
House and specific workshops. The question could begin: "Thanks for your time (only if 
they were positive) and I would like to invite you to my Open House when I finally decide 
where to open and add you to my mailing list for workshops etc. Do you mind providing 
it." 

Work with this and practice surveying some friends prior to doing it for real. 

It is important that you meet many people. Dr. Fernandez has a Practice Starters Program .. 
if you have not been to an Atlanta seminar please do so as my  guest call them at 1-800-
882-4476 and tell then you wish to attend as my guest for free .. in this program they really 
guide you from nuts to bolts but the secret to their success is making every new DC in their 
program survey 3000 people .. no short cuts .. knocking on doors and literally going door 
to door. This is a cold and cruel way to get you out of your comfort zone and also meet and 
greet potential new patients and when you open you go gang busters.

Okay .. map out what you plan to do and who you plan to call and visit .. probably not 
specific names but a potential wish list such as an attorney .. local healthcare providers .. 
health food stores and spas. The list is endless as your strategic planning should be. Map it 
out for the next 3-6 months and then implement it prior to opening up. Just a few stamps 
will begin eating from the $5000. You need more start up money or an IC to help defray 
the cost. But .. everything is possible with determination and planning!

Begin the planning and send it to me and we'll tweak it together. Also . you should 
purchase my books to get you started with some ideas. If you have limited funds I will 
send it to you for free hoping that you can repay me at a later date. No pressure we are here 
to share.

There is no rush for failure .. success takes time

Have a Great Day and Good Luck

Dr. M