Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jinman Kim, Founder of Peace Oriental Clinic, located in Winnipeg, MB, CA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a Traditional Chinese medicine physician and acupuncturist. I help treat those experiencing all kinds of pain, chronic illnesses, or diseases, as well as those struggling with mental health.

Tell us about yourself

I used to work in an office, but I started studying Traditional Chinese medicine at 45. I have completed a five-year M.D coursework at the Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine. Then, I finished a one-year internship at Longhua Hospital in Shanghai and completed a residency caring for cancer patients. Consequently, I received a medical professional qualification at Minhang District Hospital in Shanghai. At the same time, for more than three years, every Saturday and Sunday, I treated about 70 patients a day with Ma Jiping, who was known to be the best acupuncturist in Shanghai at the time, who was 87 years old. Then, I moved to Winnipeg, Canada, where I became a member of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada (2017-19) and a member of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Manitoba (AC170317) C.M.D. And it has now been six years since I have been running my clinic. My greatest motivation comes from seeing my patients experience pain relief or complete recovery immediately after my acupuncture sessions which I am grateful that has been the case most of the time.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It is my greatest reward and pleasure, as well as my mission, to see my patients' pain reduced and, or eliminated and their diseases improved.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

It is generally less than 10%, but one of the hardest things that come with being a clinic owner, for me, would be when my patient does not see a significant treatment effect in a state where the cause cannot be clearly identified.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

First, I believe it is important to mention that acupuncture is not an alternative medicine in Korea and China but one of the equivalent medicines in cooperation with Western medicine. Therefore, my first and foremost tip for starting an acupuncture clinic is to have a doctor's ability, and the second tip is to have the mindset to care for the patients more than one's own body. Last but not least, my third tip is to cultivate an environment where the patients are not seen as a means of economics.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to end this interview by stating that acupuncture should not only be known as the theory of meridians. Rather, an acupuncturist should first establish a firm philosophy on life and death and have knowledge of oriental medicine in general and abundant clinical experience. In addition, acupuncture is based on meridian theory and is a field of medicine that treats Qi based on Yin and Yang theory and Qi theory. To treat Qi, some prerequisites include accurate diagnosis through pulse rate, a thorough questionnaire, and tongue diagnosis. Ashi point acupuncture method, which simply puts acupuncture in painful spots according to meridians, is totally different from the original purpose of acupuncture.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://peaceorientalclinic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaceorientaldoctor

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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