We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Erin Hallahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Erin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
If you told me a few years ago that I would start my own Chiropractic practice right after graduating, I would have told you you were crazy! So, slight backstory… I am Canadian and in order for me to get the work visa I wanted, I needed to start a business! There are other options for visas to work in the United States, but that would require me to be employed and rely heavily on someone else’s business to keep me in the country. So I took matters into my own hands, right away! But, besides the immigration logistics, I ultimately left the corporate world to pursue a career and job where I had control over my schedule, and life! I always imagined a life where I got to choose how much time off I had, my hours, my schedule, how much or how little I wanted to work. Owning my own business and having complete control seemed like the best option. There are so many challenges that come along with starting a business, especially by yourself, however, at the end of the day, the control of everything is still in my hands, and I find that so empowering. Especially as female, I also feel empowered to take on the challenge of starting a successful business in a world that makes it so challenging.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In it’s infancy, my business is me! I am not your average Chiropractor. My passion is soft tissue therapy and rehab and corrective exercise. I spend more time with my patients than a “typical” Chiropractor and I put a strong emphasis on active care. I put quotes around “typical” because one could argue it doesn’t exist in the Chiropractic profession. There is truly so many different kinds of chiros.

I prefer to get to know my patients really well, form a relationship with them and help them find the root cause of their pain and stressors, and work together to get them feeling and moving their best. There’s been many challenges along the way. I moved to San Diego shortly before graduating from Chiropractic school, not knowing a soul. I’ve essentially begun a life and business venture here from scratch! Which is exciting and daunting all at the same time. Not only have I faced challenges with not being a US citizen, but challenges with many business matters that I have no experience in, like marketing, budgeting, finances, investing, etc etc. I am a Type A perfectionist but the best thing I have learnt is that money is very well spent on utilizing people who are experts in their field. Hiring people for consulting, marketing, accounting, legal and web design have been absolute life and business savers.

I want people to know that I see myself as one small part of revolutionizing how we see healthcare today. Eventually my small, solo business, is going to grow into a collective, where people can come and get the most valuable care for their bodies. A place where clinicians will listen to them, see and hear them, validate their concerns and care for them without the fear of large impending bills.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d have to hit all the spots! Catch some sun at Solana Beach, Pacific Beach and Coronado beach. Enjoy a very overpriced but tasty Margarita at the Hotel Del. Eat delicious grilled octopus at Ironside in Little Italy. Have breakfast burritos at Panchita’s in North Park before going and walking it off around the San Diego Zoo. Catch a sunset at Kate Sessions and of course, Sunset Cliffs as well, wine in hand. Have brunch at Trust (and eat the chilaquiles of course). Wander the Hillcrest Farmer’s market on a Sunday morning. Scuba dive in La Jolla cove. Golf a twilight round at Torrey Pines. Have lunch at Second Nature in PB. Catch a Padre’s game at Petco. Watch planes land at sunset at Mister A’s. Wander the main street in Encinitas. And of course, get an adjustment from the best Chiropractor in town, Dr. Erin Hallahan 😊

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my Mom! She is the rock behind everything that I do. She has unwavering support for me and everything I take on. No questions asked. Even from a country away, she has always been there cheering me on in the background. Secondly, Dr. Liz Farrell. She was my mentor & preceptor through my last bit of school. She helped shaped me into the Chiro I wanted to be and held my hand through a lot of business-related things! And last, but certainly not least, my partner Donnie. Not only does he lend a hand with anything business related, he also single-handedly keeps me sane through all the ups and downs of starting and running a business, and never ever complains when I am insanely busy…all. The. Time!

 

Website: Www.drerinchiro.com

Instagram: Dr.erinhalchiro

Facebook: Dr. Erin Hallahan- Chiropractor

Image Credits
Carina Fleckner Photography Slands Creative

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