Q:

I have recently started my own practice in VA, and am still working as a waitress to keep the darn thing going.   I graduated in 
June of 97, and got my license in July of 97.   I am one of the "lucky" ones, because I have several friends who are looking 
into bankruptcy as a solution to their failed practices.  I say I am one of the "lucky" ones, because I have realized that this is 
not the "80's", and that I will need to keep my day job or sink.   My other friends are claiming that they are tired, and can only 
do one job at a time.  I am wondering where I am going to come up with my impending student loan payments, which start 
soon.  I hear that the payments will be around $1000 or more per month, after consolidating.   No one seems to be addressing 
this major problem.  All I hear is how bad chiropractors are because we lead the nation in defaulting on our loans. 

Speaking of which, if you hear of other types of help for us new graduates, please let me know.  I am still waitressing and 
see many of the students still at school, who are looking at me working double time, and they are not liking what they see.   It 
hurts my feelings when they say they won't do what I am doing, because obviously I am doing something wrong.  I can't say 
anything, because my peers said the same about me when I was in school with them.  We are all "barely surviving.   
Thank you for your time.  Thank you for the "updates".  

A:

Sorry to take so long to respond to your important e-mail .. I will repeat it below as often we delete what we write and then 
try to recreate in our mind what was said. Unfortunately .. I get many of these type e-mails .. new or established DC's who 
have a time making it happen in this competitive market. My response is also usually the same .. it is a competitive market 
only if you think it is .. what we create in our mind usually has the ability to materialize. So .. and work with me on this .. 
this is not a lecture .. just me talking to you through the internet .. take a peek outside your office or home .. how many cars 
drive by and how many people do you think are going to chiropractors? .. very little. We presently take care of less that 10% 
of Americans on a regular basis .. therefore the potential to cross over any barriers to establish a healthy practice .. and 
whatever pace one wants .. is very possible. Budget is not an issue as word of mouth is free .. shaking hands is free .. using 
your mind to create a vision is free .. and following through with a good idea and being available to deliver the goods is also 
free. 

You already work with the public. You have active chiropractic students that you cut hair for that can use your and their 
visions to assist in making it happen. There are some steps that must be taken and the first is to accept there is a possibility to 
be successful .. accepting the fact that $1000 a month for loan repayments is a non issue if you do the proper things now .. 
that the potential to be profitable and helping your community in wellness care is not only possible but probable. If you don't 
believe this .. then we must work on your level of chiropractic philosophy and enthusiasm .. it is real whether you subscribe 
to it or not!

Okay .. let's get going. First a few tips. Visit my webpage:
http://www.mindspring.com/~chirosmart and go to cyberconsulting. Have a few hours to spend on this webpage and have 
your printer ready and full of paper. Scroll down the questions that are found on this portion of my webpage. There are some 
that address getting started and how to overcome obstacles concerning greeting and meeting your public. 

Next .. keep scrolling down on the cyberconsulting page and you'll find a title called class notes .. these are the handouts I 
provide my students at Life University (unfortunately .. ill advised individuals will prevent me from teaching after the next 
two weeks .. but that's another story) and print out each chapter's notes .. there also may be a page called getting started .. 
etc. 

Next .. go back to the home page and click on Practice Tips .. look these over .. many of these ideas are perfect places to start 
with.

I also would like to send you a complimentary copy of my textbook called Smart Start .. if you promise to make an attempt to 
slowly implement some of the ideas in this book I'll pitch in with the advice .. just send me your address and it's on its way.

In conclusion .. it hurts me to see folks like you trying to make the transition from student to professional chiropractor. Be 
assured that you are not alone. If you make the active moves to  create a successful practice .. the things you do such as 
cutting hair .. that you must do to survive will be a memory of paying of your dues that makes you stronger as you grow.

I am as close as your keyboard .. keep your chin up and keep in touch

Have a Great Day

Dr. M