Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness treatment but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Adele Pelteret, Naturopath, owner of Natural Medicine Centre, located in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a Naturopath - registered with The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPCSA) and with the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa. I am currently the Chairperson of the South African Naturopathy Association. I also sit on the Anti-Microbial Resistance Committee for the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), and I am an active allied member of the South African Society of Integrative Medicine (SASIM).
I am passionate about helping patients get their health back on track and being as preventative as possible. I work in a unique way in that I focus on the CAUSES and not just the symptoms. I do various clinical examinations and tests but treat them as functionally and as naturally as possible - but I am also open to a complementary and integrative approach for patients already taking medication.
I am a GP of natural medicine - so I see patients of all ages and stages with various health ailments and dis-ease, from a common cold - to digestive disorders and musculoskeletal issues - to autoimmune conditions - to cancer. I work in a very personalized way with each unique and individual patient - because they deserve the best medical and health care that echos that!
Tell us about yourself
After high school, I attended a local Teachers' Training College and completed a four-year Higher Diploma in Education. I then traveled to Europe, where I worked and studied for two years before finally returning home to teach at a coastal school.
I left teaching to continue my studies in computer programming and IT training and worked in a corporate IT training department for many years, supporting and training a wide variety of computer software programs. I continued to study and completed an International Diploma in Clinical Nutrition, and then I worked as a Nutritional Therapist in our local area for over ten years. During this time, I felt that I was 'called' to go back to university to study full-time in a registered diagnostic profession. I've been studying most of my life and, through divine guidance, ended up in my forties, spending another five years studying at the University of the Western Cape's School of Natural Medicine. I completed my final degree Summa cum laude and qualified as a Naturopathic doctor at the end of 2015.
I am passionate about helping patients get their health back on track and being as preventative as possible - I feel it is my calling to be of service and support to people with various health needs.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Starting a health practice and keeping it going ;-) No, I actually think it is the many patients I have assisted with various health issues and concerns! My joy (and I suppose we can call that accomplishment) comes from them getting healthier and feeling better - both physically and mentally and, in many cases, spiritually as well!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not everyone realizes that a Doctor starting a practice from scratch and working for themselves without any admin staff spends ~60% of their time doing administrative tasks that are non-income generating. It is tough running a practice on your own and only having 40% of one's time to generate an income. If it wasn't for my husband helping with the admin and accounts - I would not have managed! He's a HUGE blessing and an avid supporter and cheerleader of mine (and I love him to bits!) :-)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Plan your systems really well and get those sorted and running before anything else! Visit many people in your profession - see how they do things - ask questions, and get input on what they would have done differently if starting from scratch again! I'm talking about your invoicing and accounts, backups of data, your stock, and systems to keep track of who/when/what, etc. Bad habits often creep in early (faster is not always better long-term), and systems are often very difficult to change once you are knee-deep in them!
- Get a basic website up and running - even if it is a landing page - and start your social media promotions or 'adverts' or info sharing - ASAP!
- Great service, good communication, and a personal touch - go a long way to keep your customers/clients/patients.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
What does Dr. Adele, the Naturopath, do?
- Full clinical physical examinations, tests, and diagnosis.
- Individualized natural medicine treatments include:
◦ Nutritional medicine and individual Nutritional Therapy programs.
◦ Targeted, individualized supplementation, nutraceuticals, botanicals, and functional foods.
◦ Acupressure & Acupuncture (TCM meridians).
◦ Dry-needling (muscular trigger points).
◦ Therapeutic medical massage, including magnesium and essential oils.
◦ Cranio-sacral treatment.
◦ Hydrotherapy (incl. gentle ear stringing).
◦ Light and Laser therapy (selective).
◦ Bach Flower remedies.
◦ Tissue salts etc. - Nutrigenetic and Epigenetic testing and counseling.
- Corporate Health & Wellness.
- Clinical assessments & reports.
- Ergonomic assessments & reports.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://dradelepelteret.wixsite.com/dradele
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrPelteret
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradelep/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAdeleP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adele-pelteret-9b59699/
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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