An entrepreneurial journey is a path filled with lessons in resilience, sacrifice, and the power of pivoting. When my wife, Vanessa, and I transitioned from the restaurant industry to building a chiropractic franchise, we faced numerous challenges, setbacks, and moments of growth that ultimately shaped us as business leaders.
Today, with an expanding presence across the country, our success has been built on both the lessons from our restaurant days and the strategic pivot into healthcare. Along the way, we’ve distilled key insights that transcend industries—offering valuable guidance for anyone looking to create, grow, and sustain a business.
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Here are five core lessons that have shaped our journey and can serve as a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs in any field.
A Bold Career Pivot Can Lead to Unexpected Success
Before becoming chiropractors, we were deeply embedded in the restaurant business. But life has a way of forcing you to reevaluate your direction. A mix of long hours, the birth of our first child, and the sudden loss of a loved one made us realize that we needed more than just financial success—we needed purpose. So, we sold nearly everything we owned in a garage sale, packed up our lives, and moved from Denver to Iowa to attend chiropractic school. It was a huge risk, but sometimes, bold steps are exactly what you need to find your true calling.
Advice: If you feel an itch to make a change—whether it’s in your career or your business—don’t be afraid to take the leap. It’s not easy, but the rewards of pursuing something meaningful are always worth it.
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Overcome Life’s Hurdles and Stay Focused on the Goal
Life is unpredictable, and as entrepreneurs, we quickly learned that adaptability is crucial. Relocating to a new city with a young infant was one of the toughest challenges we’ve faced. We sold everything to fund our move, leaving behind our support systems, and started from scratch in an unfamiliar place. While managing the pressures of school, finances, and raising young children was overwhelming at times, we stayed focused on our ultimate goal: building a better future for our family with a career we are truly passionate about.
Advice: When you’re facing life’s inevitable challenges, always keep your vision clear. Obstacles will come, but staying focused on your goals helps you stay on course. Embrace challenges, view failures as steppingstones, and approach change with a mindset geared toward growth. This mindset not only strengthens your business but also builds your leadership skills.
Master the Art of Balancing Business and Personal Life
Running a business with your spouse or a partner is a rewarding yet complex venture. As co-founders of 100% Chiropractic, Vanessa and I had to figure out how to balance our roles as both business partners and life partners. We quickly realized that to make our relationship work—both at work and at home—we needed to establish clear boundaries, define our roles, and communicate openly. Mutual respect and transparency became essential in navigating both the challenges of entrepreneurship and marriage.
Advice: For any entrepreneur, especially those working in partnership, it’s vital to define roles and responsibilities early. Consistent, transparent communication is the foundation of both a successful business and a strong personal relationship. By supporting each other’s strengths and addressing challenges proactively, you can foster both professional and personal growth. Prioritize your relationships—whether with a spouse, business partner, or team—to sustain long-term success.
Patience Is the Secret Ingredient to Entrepreneurial Success
Our journey to success wasn’t an overnight affair. We opened our first 100% Chiropractic location in a small room of Vanessa’s family’s business. We were
living paycheck to paycheck, paying off student loans, and pouring every spare dollar into building the business. It was humbling, but we knew we had a vision that would eventually come to life. Through perseverance and patience, our small operation grew into a nationwide brand. It didn’t happen quickly, and there were many tough days, but we kept pushing forward because we believed in the long-term success we were building.
Advice: Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments when progress feels slow, but consistency and persistence will eventually pay off. Keep your vision clear, stay patient, and trust in the process. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Setbacks are inevitable, but they’re just opportunities to learn and grow. Stick with it, and over time, your efforts will build momentum.
Recognize Opportunities and Scale Thoughtfully
When we made the decision to franchise 100% Chiropractic in 2015, it wasn’t done hastily. We waited until we had a strong system in place, a proven business model, and a solid brand foundation. Today, our franchisees experience exceptional patient satisfaction and business performance because we took the time to perfect our approach before scaling. We didn’t rush the process—we expanded thoughtfully and strategically.
Advice: The key to successful scaling is recognizing when your business is ready. Scaling too early can lead to operational strain and financial challenges. Build a resilient, well-tested model, and only expand once you’re confident in your ability to deliver consistently. Thoughtful, intentional scaling positions your business for sustainable growth and equips you to weather the challenges of expansion.
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Build Your Brand Around Your Strengths
One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is the importance of building a brand that reflects who you are and what you excel at. Your brand should be an extension of your strengths and core values. When we built 100% Chiropractic, we didn’t just design clinics—we created experiences that aligned with the strengths we developed in the restaurant industry. Specifically, we applied the sensory-focused approach we learned in restaurants to make our clinics more welcoming and comfortable for our clients. This sensory experience became an integral part of our brand.
Advice: Your brand should reflect your core values and strengths. Create an experience that resonates with your customers on a sensory level—whether through design, service, or even the way you communicate. A strong brand is one that feels authentic, consistent, and inviting, making it easier for customers to connect with what you offer.
Every entrepreneurial journey is unique, but the principles we’ve followed—building a brand based on your strengths, mastering the balance between personal and professional life, being patient, and scaling thoughtfully—are universal. Our journey from restaurateurs to chiropractic leaders has been filled with unexpected lessons and deeply rewarding outcomes.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we hope these insights will serve as a guide to building a business that stands the test of time. After all, as entrepreneurs, we have the privilege of shaping not just our own futures but also the lives of our clients, employees, and communities. Stay focused, stay patient, and always keep learning.
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