Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cheryl Kujawinski, Owner of Hawthorne Acupuncture & Integrated Medicine, located in Centennial, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the proud owner of Hawthorne Acupuncture & Integrated Medicine. We are an alternative healthcare office that utilizes acupuncture, herbal medicine, microneedling, and injection therapy to achieve a variety of health goals. Although our patient profile varies widely and is welcome, we attract many women to the practice with goals of getting pregnant, needing help with chronic or acute pain, and wanting to freshen their skin with cosmetic acupuncture or microneedling.
Tell us about yourself
I spent much of my twenties working as an actor and making money in the bar/restaurant business. Although I worked my way up in the bar restaurant world (the acting took a backseat), I found myself an owner of a bar in 2006 and not very happy with my life and career. I spent some time reflecting on what I enjoyed and kept landing on healthcare. When I was considering different paths to take professionally, my friend suggested acupuncture as a form of treatment. After dealing with asthma symptoms all my life and not really understanding why they kept occurring in the first place, this sounded like an interesting option. To my surprise - it worked! Five months later, I had managed to stop taking medication for asthma altogether, which opened up so many new possibilities for getting back control of good health habits. Acupuncture has made me realize that when you understand what's triggering your ailments, then keeping yourself healthy can become easier than ever before.
I'm inspired every day by my patients' lightbulb moments - watching them reclaim their power and move back into a space of connection with their bodies. It's amazing how quickly we can tire ourselves out tackling the world analytically but supporting women in regaining that body knowing ultimately brings about better health outcomes!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
At the beginning of 2020, my family relocated to sunny Colorado from Chicago, and although COVID stay-at-home orders kept me away from my work for several months, I hit the ground running when the time was right. I am so proud to be able to reflect back to my 10 years in Chicago and take all the knowledge I have gained and put it into a brand new business in an area that I was unfamiliar with. I knew that when I moved here, I could not fail. Being able to do this again from scratch with confidence, not only as a practitioner but as a business owner, is one of my proudest accomplishments.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Juggling my personal and professional life can be a struggle. For the last few months, I've been making an effort to make time for family, friends, and myself - no matter how hard it is when the creative juices start flowing! But even though most of us have big dreams we want to act on right away, sometimes slowing down is more important than getting everything done at once. It's great that those around me understand this, too, so I'm in good company with them, encouraging patience along the way.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Transform yourself into a powerful leader with your unwavering self-confidence! Each new day presents an opportunity to channel the determination and strength within you. Don't just stand still - take action, even if it means making some "mistakes" along the way
growth is essential for progress, so make sure every experience counts towards reaching success. - I believe that lasting relationships come from openness and transparency, even if it may take my clients in a different direction. While the goal is to grow my business, true success comes from guiding people on their path toward achieving meaningful outcomes. Taking risks by being authentic has reaped great rewards - not only do customers appreciate me for providing honest advice, but they also think of me when someone they know needs help!
- Take the initiative to ask for help and connect with those around you! Developing a boss mindset means learning from all kinds of people, even strangers. You never know what conversations will lead to
talk today could open doors in fields like business opportunities or patient referrals tomorrow. Start forming relationships now that can empower your journey – it might just be life-changing for your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.hawthorneacu.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawthorneacupuncture/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nO8IpT
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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