Announcements, and Walking in Three Worlds

Stretch. Crack my knuckles to prepare them for some serious typing. Exhale. Here comes my blog entry for the month. Scratch my head -- what the Hell do I have to write about?

Ever since my last post announcing my licensing, I've been a dried-up well when it comes time to post a new blog entry. Upon receiving the peice of paper from the California Acupuncture Board, I've been in soak-it-up-and-learn-mode, and I haven't had time for opinions or insights. Well, that has recently changed, so watch out -- here's a blog-thingy from moi.

First, the announcement: WE HAVE A SPACE!!!

("we" = Circle Community Acupuncture, in San Francisco)

That's right, after months of looking, rejecting, being lied to, being rejected, etc we signed a lease. We have 1100 sqft of empty space that we a frantically racing around to fill up and prepare for a September opening. We got our first Lafuma today -- $45 on Craigslist!

Walking in three worlds:

I discovered CA about a year before I graduated from TCM-school, and quickly became committed to opening a CA clinic. Upon graduating, I immediately set out to make my dreams come true (with my wonderful partners) but in the interim I needed cash and I needed it fast!

I became a private Acupunk. Twice.

First, I am able to rent a very small room once a week for a very cheap fee. I put the word out that I was charging $35-$50 for acupuncture, and I soon filled up with patients. I've been pretty busy, and have developed a nice clientelle; unfortunately, I can only work in this space one day a week, so, obviously, I can only see patients once a week at best. I've had some success with patient's recovering, and quite a few frustrations when patients could not come often enough for long-lasting results.

Second, I work at a downtown massage studio as the staff acupuncturist. $90 a treatment. Lots of talking. I work there three days a week, so theoretically, I can see patients more frequently, but no one wants to drop $90 several times a week. Hell, most of them only come once a month. I don't blame them.

So, I've been walking in two worlds. I've got a relatively affordable private practice, but it's only a hobby if I'm doing it once a week. On the other hand, I've got a boutique space where I mostly treat stressed-out lawyers and law students (I've become a master of Tan's ShaoYang/JueYin balance), once a month, and charge prices that I couldn't afford myself.

Now, I'm entering my third world. The one I want to be in. One where I can quote my prices and look the prospective patient in the eye, one where I can tell patients to come often as needed, instead of often as finances allow.

Community Acupuncture, here I come!