Humble Beginnings
When my youngest son was 2, I started to see patients in my home in Escondido. It was a very part-time practice, where I scheduled patients around school pick-ups, naps, dinner times, and the typical day-to-day business of running a family. The patients who came to be adjusted were definitely very kind and understanding as there would be interruptions from dogs barking and a 2-year-old asking for snacks and other more private matters. Deija, our beloved shepherd mix, loved lying under the adjusting table while I worked. I believe she was part of the treatment.
When the moment came that all 3 of my kids were in full-time elementary school, it was apparent that it was time to open up a real office outside of the home. I started my official Escondido practice in 2007 and was grateful to bring in new patients through word of mouth. Having kids is a great marketing strategy! I met so many wonderful teachers and parents, and little by little, they found out I was a chiropractor, some of who became long-time patients.
New Adventures
In 2008 I moved to the 1900 Sunset Drive location after my divorce. This is where my practice really grew and where I was able to develop the vision for my practice. In 2012 I expanded my office to include massage therapy. As I became more secure and confident in myself as a business owner, I then started dreaming up bigger goals for myself and my practice. I knew I wanted to create a wellness center. I expanded my office to include a studio for yoga, Qi Gong, small group classes, and meditation, as well as bringing in a Naturopath, Acupuncturist, and Massage Therapist. This was the birth of Sunset Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Sunset was because of the street name, and I just like the word as well.
2020
Then Covid happened. This shut down the Wellness Center. Everyone had to stop what they were working so hard to create. I was sad about the loss of the center where the community could come for healing, wellness education, and self-care. This was a vision I had thought about for many years, and in one moment, the work and collaborative efforts had evaporated.
Life goes on. I found out one week after the mandatory lockdown that chiropractors could keep seeing patients on an urgent basis. I closed my practice for one week at the end of March, and reopened it one week later, on April 6, 2020.
Community and Love of the Practice
It’s been a blessing to remain open and serve my patients during this difficult time. Once I determined I wasn’t able to continue the wellness center, I looked into moving to a smaller space. I found a property near downtown Escondido. This location has been a much-needed change, and it has been fortuitous that I am now the landlord too!
My practice is continuing to grow and evolve. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community through chiropractic care. I love what I do, and I hope to continue for many years to come.