Q:

Would you start a practice in the Quad City area of Iowa?  My wife (a Davenport native) 
misses her family and would like our two young children to be closer to their grandparents.  
I spoke with two DC's, one practicing and one teaching.  I was more encouraged by the 
DC who practiced than the one who taught.  The DC who practiced actually thought that 
one of the Quad Cities was "under served" and that things were "opening up" for 
chiropractic there. My people skills are excellent, my adjusting skills are good, only our 
cash flow is inadequate.  What do you think?  I would not be opposed to buying an 
existing practice or joining a partnership.  I have been burned with an associate ship and 
would not like to travel that route again.  Any and all insight you be appreciated.

A:

Thanks for your e-mail and sorry for the delay in replying. First off .. there is no place that 
cannot be successful if you follow correct guidelines to market and make it happen. 
Davenport is the home of Palmer and therefore people in the area and surrounding cities 
have a good idea of chiropractic but it could be saturated with DC's. I would go with the 
opinion of the practicing DC who told you it may be a good idea to explore the area. But be 
careful .. under served areas doesn't have to mean that you live or work in an area that is 
uncomfortable for you or not safe. I hope that under served means new developments or 
new industry that brings in new homes and people and therefore under served with new 
DC's. So choose the location with the thought that this is where you want to plant the 
marketing and PR seeds and harvest your practice as well. You don't have to live in the 
area as well as work there. 

As far as the Quad cities area I have no opinion since I have never been there. If your wife 
will benefit from living closer to her family that solves your problem .. go and make it 
happen. I have about 40 DC's in five-ten miles from my office. Atlanta is overly saturated 
but many of my friends and myself have developed and still maintain a viable and 
successful practice. There is NO competition if you do the right things. 

I agree that associateships can be a headache and disaster at times so don't repeat the 
mistake. If you have guts purchase or start your own practice where you feel it is best. As 
you know I teach in the Fernandez Seminars and Dr. Pete has a Practice starters program 
for either a DC right out of school or those with previous experience who wish to relocate 
and want to feel better about making the right moves with a coach and guidance. There are 
so many variables prior to signing a lease or purchasing a practice. Thousands of dollars 
and loads of mistakes can be avoided if you do it right from the start. Dr. Pete asks his new 
clients to map out demographic and other useful maps prior to choosing their location. This 
is important to decide where best to plant your roots. Making the right move is very 
important and then pre-planning prior to opening up is huge. I am not convincing you to 
seek his help and for sure there are obligations you will have to meet but make it happen 
and do it right from the start. If interested with his program or wish to learn more about it 
call them at 1-800-882-4476 and request that Dr. Pete give you a personal consultation as a 
courtesy of me. I think he will and they are very easy to work with without hand wringing.

Or .. go to the Quad cities and pick and location .. possibly post your desire to purchase 
and existing practice. If you have my Smart Start Book begin to plant proper seeds by 
following chapter by chapter the PR ideas.

In conclusion .. GO FOR IT!!!!!!!