We had the good fortune of connecting with Genevieve Vaillancourt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Genevieve, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

When I first got out of acupuncture school, I started working for an already established acupuncture practice. I was too burnt out and overwhelmed from grad school to consider starting my own business. I knew after only a few months of working for someone else that I wanted to become my own boss. Because they don’t teach you anything about running a business in acupuncture school, I decided to enroll in a local (and free) entrepreneurial training program that went over everything from writing a business plan, to finding an accountant, to doing financial projections.

It took me almost a year and a half after leaving my acupuncture job to start my own business. When I first opened my doors in May 2017, I didn’t know what to expect, I just knew I wanted to make my own schedule. I started with a 2-treatment room office and rented 1 room to a dietitian for a year while I was establishing my practice. I then took over the 2nd room, and after another year or so, turned my office into a 3rd treatment room.

Since first opening in May 2017, I am now in an 8-treatment room clinic, and have 2 acupuncturists and 2 support staff working for me.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

We are an acupuncture clinic based in Biddeford, Maine. Our clinic serves one of the highest number of patients each year in the Southern Maine area. We specialize in treating pain conditions, anxiety, depression, women’s health issues, fertility, and other chronic conditions including digestive issues, stress-related conditions, headaches and migraines, sleep issues, seasonal allergies, and more!

What sets us apart is our personal, individualized care. Every person comes in for a consultation first to see if we’re a good fit and if we think we can help with whatever they’re coming in for. If we think we can help, we set the patient up with a customized treatment plan based on their goals. If we don’t think we can help, we do our best to refer out to another acupuncturist, chiropractor, PT, etc. We also strive to provide the most comfortable, professional, and relaxing environment for our patients to heal in.

It hasn’t always been easy or seamless, as anyone who owns a business can attest to. I’ve really leaned into business classes and mentorships these past few years that have helped solidify my clinic’s systems and processes. Treating people and getting them better is the easy part. It’s all the behind the scenes stuff that’s hard. I recently hired a new mentor who has been instrumental in taking my clinic to the next level, including going from a one-woman-band to now having a staff of 5, including myself.

I’m most proud of the number of people we’ve been able to support on their healing journey. How many people have gotten out of chronic pain, how many healthy babies have come from our care, and our ability to care for our patients in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My BAM family who continues to push & inspire me daily to achieve goals I never even knew were possible as an acupuncturist.

  

Website: www.sacoriveracu.com

Instagram: @sacoriveracu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacoriveracu

Image Credits
Marissa Elise Photography https://marissaelisecampbell.com/

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