Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hilary Patzer, Founder of JADA Studios, located in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
JADA Studios is an elite sports medicine-focused acupuncture, massage, and health + life coaching studio located in the Twin Cities. We tailor each treatment to the individual, maximizing the patient’s ability to fully recover and reach their life and health goals. In short, we help people Uncover their Potential and Express their Power.
JADA Studios stands out because of our unmatched knowledge, passion, and dedication to truly helping our patients exceed their goals. We are teammates and cheerleaders as we watch our patient’s positive transformations. We are the official Sports Acupuncturist for the Minnesota Vikings, but we also work with elite, college, and high school athletes as well as weekend warriors and activity enthusiasts.
From your first interaction with us, you will feel heard, understood, appreciated, and catered to. Our practitioners exude professionalism, enthusiasm, knowledge, and compassion. You can read all of our glowing reviews here. Because of our one-on-one treatment style, you will leave feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally! We utilize acupuncture, dry needling, cupping, electro-stimulation, scraping, massage, and coaching in a seamless, cohesive, and elevated way.
Tell us about yourself
I am a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and Certified Health Coach living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am driven by empowerment through growth, health, authenticity, and movement. Along with coaching, she currently serves as the Sports Acupuncturist for the Minnesota Vikings and treats professional, elite, college, and high school athletes from various sports.
I had a very successful college athletic career and raced with the U.S. cross-country Ski Team for three years. I continue to compete in ski races, marathons, and triathlons. I competed in the Ironman World Championship and the Boston Marathon. My competitive experience provides me with a unique understanding of what pushing the body to its limit means and how acupuncture and coaching can assist.
As a competitive skier, I over-trained, and acupuncture and coaching were the two things that brought me back to a whole, healthy person and athlete. I pushed too hard, too often, and for too long, and my body paid the price. The hardest thing to do as a peak performer is to take a step back, breathe, relax, and be patient. Mentally I was watching my dreams, goals, and passions evaporate. I knew there was something profound happening. I just needed to pause, be intentional, and be receptive. Little did I know that this experience was setting the stage for my exceptional professional career. I know what it takes to find and live in alignment with my authentic journey, and I can help others do the same!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As I reflect on my biggest accomplishments as a business owner, many things come to mind. Being successful enough to hire employees, being a compassionate, respectful, and understanding boss, working with professional athletes for the past decade, being the Official Sports Acupuncturist for the Minnesota Vikings for seven seasons and counting, opening multiple locations, being self-made in a city which I was new to but I think what I keep coming back to, and what makes everything else possible, is that my dedication, determination, motivation, and hard work allowed me to open JADA Studios during the recession and keep it alive during the pandemic.
While it was easy to go virtual with coaching, acupuncture and massage are both hands-on modalities, which made lockdown incredibly difficult financially. And while some of our patients and clients view us as a necessity in their mental and physical journey, many people had to cut back when their finances were tight with both the recession and COVID. I know many people would have thrown in the towel because it was hard, terrifying, and lonely, but I knew my employees and our clients were counting on me to keep our doors open!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is keeping an open and honest perspective when challenges or conflicts arise. Being a small business owner can feel so lonely at times. Balancing work and life can seem impossible, and feeling like you can never step away is exhausting. And when you’re in the throes of confusion, disappointment, disenchantment, and fear, it is nearly impossible not to shut down, close off, and function from fear. But fear isn’t where the magic happens. Fear isn’t conducive to creativity and manifestation. Living in fear and lack is a sure way to invite failure and burnout. But when the going gets tough, it takes an immense amount of self-awareness and positive self-talk to stay optimistic, hopeful, open, accepting, and confident. Not getting in our own way when things aren’t going our way is one of the hardest things that come with being a small business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top three tips I would give anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today would be to use a daily planner to track their income and journal about their successes and challenges all in one place. I would also suggest they start a mindfulness practice so they can lean on their parasympathetic nervous system when their sympathetic nervous system is screaming for attention! And lastly, I would provide them with a truthful and transparent conversation where they can ask any question they like, and I would be brutally honest about my experience. Believing that one can succeed and have a plan to get there is priceless, but so is authenticity and candidness from someone who’s been in their shoes before. Why reinvent the wheel and relive the same mistakes?
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jadastudios.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JADAstudios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadastudios/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JadaStudios1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadastudios/
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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