Q:

I am thinking of opening a practice in a martial arts studio.  What is a fair agreement to ask 
or offer the manager.  Should compensation be rent plus a percentage of income?  Or just a 
percentage of each patient visit? The manager has agreed to handle the marketing of the 
Chiropractor being in the studio.  I didn't have an answer for the student but said I would 
look into it.  Then I saw your message and thought you might know something about this 
since you come in contact with so many D.C.'s.  Any ideas?

A:

Thanks for your e-mail. In my experince these spa relationships are often not successful. 
The adjusting areas are small and the level of practice expansion is limited as the general 
population may not particpate. Obviously .. each individual situation differs. The positve 
side of this is the access to the martial arts studio members .. but in reality how many active 
members do they have .. is it the same numbers as a regular health spa .. probably not. The 
negative side is simple .. limited numbers of new patients. If you can open close to a spa 
and work out an arrangement with a spa it always is better. In this way you have an alliance 
to do exams .. screenings .. workshops and offer your sevices in an area close by. This is 
a win win for both.

But .. if you are going to have a clinic in the martial arts studio or a gym of some type look 
at it as being an indepenent contractor. Pay a monthly rent for at least 4-6 months while a 
practice is built up and then if the owner insists a percentage above a base .. possibly 
$5000 of collections. There has to be an incentive on both parts .. a rent which pushes the 
DC to make the payment and a percentage to induce the owner to offer his/her members .. 
the start up rent only allows breathing room to grow. 

Think twice and look close by for an office to own yourself or be an IC in a DC's practice 
close by. If this is possible you should form a non-binding agreement to be a studios 
chiropractor so others do not go there and see people at the office near by. BUT .. if the 
area within the studio has p[otential for growth then go for it. Just be aware that anything 
that comes of it will eventually out grow it (hopefully) and they will have to move .. this is 
the life of an IC.

Have a Great Day

Dr. M