Ginna Ellis
Boulder Acusport
Photo credit: Vertucci Visual
How did you become interested in acupuncture?
I was injured a lot running through high school and college. I would get really fit and then immediately get injured and be out of it for 4 to 6 months. Acupuncture was really the first thing that turned things around for me. I was really excited about learning how something so simple could be so incredibly affective.
What makes you passionate about it?
I really empathize with people who are injured. Whether it's from running or doing something else they love, it's terrible not being able to get out. Being able to have a skill that could be so potentially influential or life-changing seemed like a really fulfilling career.
Why did you choose to start your own business and not just work for an established business when first beginning?
There was no one really practicing acupuncture the way I wanted to. I've developed my own style based on treating as many athletes as I possibly could (and myself.) What I do and how I practice is what has worked on me and other athletes; runners and triathletes in particular. I didn't want to be told what to do and how to treat people. I wanted to do what I thought would be the most effective for my clients.
Being a new practitioner, were you scared going out on your own?
It was difficult. I mean, it was nerve-wracking. Just hoping people would trust a new practitioner, come in the door and trust me to stick needles in them. You're asking people to trust you a lot. Beyond that, just learning a lot about the other side of being an acupuncturist, which is actually running a business, is scary. It's a lot more than sticking needles in people. You have to pay taxes, pay rent, track everything and keep everything HIPA compliant.
I was injured a lot running through high school and college. I would get really fit and then immediately get injured and be out of it for 4 to 6 months. Acupuncture was really the first thing that turned things around for me. I was really excited about learning how something so simple could be so incredibly affective.
What makes you passionate about it?
I really empathize with people who are injured. Whether it's from running or doing something else they love, it's terrible not being able to get out. Being able to have a skill that could be so potentially influential or life-changing seemed like a really fulfilling career.
Why did you choose to start your own business and not just work for an established business when first beginning?
There was no one really practicing acupuncture the way I wanted to. I've developed my own style based on treating as many athletes as I possibly could (and myself.) What I do and how I practice is what has worked on me and other athletes; runners and triathletes in particular. I didn't want to be told what to do and how to treat people. I wanted to do what I thought would be the most effective for my clients.
Being a new practitioner, were you scared going out on your own?
It was difficult. I mean, it was nerve-wracking. Just hoping people would trust a new practitioner, come in the door and trust me to stick needles in them. You're asking people to trust you a lot. Beyond that, just learning a lot about the other side of being an acupuncturist, which is actually running a business, is scary. It's a lot more than sticking needles in people. You have to pay taxes, pay rent, track everything and keep everything HIPA compliant.
"I feel like if you're passionate about what you do and if you do a good enough job, you can make it anywhere."
How did you break through those initial fears?
Getting good results. At first I would only be treating a couple people a week. You know, it's like: Oh! I want to be totally busy. But, just having one person and they're just so thrilled with the results. Every time that happens, it's like wow! It makes it easier to do the mundane tasks. You know you're doing something right in those moments.
How does it feel to be a female acupuncturist and business owner?
I just do the best job I can. I don't really worry about it too much. When I was in school everyone was telling me, "Whatever you do don't start a practice in Boulder. Get the heck out of Boulder! You're not going to be able to make any money." That's more intimidating than being a female. I feel like if you're passionate about what you do and if you do a good enough job you can make it anywhere.
Getting good results. At first I would only be treating a couple people a week. You know, it's like: Oh! I want to be totally busy. But, just having one person and they're just so thrilled with the results. Every time that happens, it's like wow! It makes it easier to do the mundane tasks. You know you're doing something right in those moments.
How does it feel to be a female acupuncturist and business owner?
I just do the best job I can. I don't really worry about it too much. When I was in school everyone was telling me, "Whatever you do don't start a practice in Boulder. Get the heck out of Boulder! You're not going to be able to make any money." That's more intimidating than being a female. I feel like if you're passionate about what you do and if you do a good enough job you can make it anywhere.
Photo credit: Vertucci Visual
How does your passion for running help with your business?
I was a pretty neurotic competitive runner. I can relate to people who are injured and, maybe, even more of a neurotic runner. For me, running is about pushing myself and setting some goals, but I don't even run with a watch. I don't care how many miles I get in in a week. It's more about balance and it makes me happy. I can run and get out into amazing places that might take someone 3 days to hike and I can run it in a few hours. That's why I do it. Running is always the highlight of my day.
What advice would you share with other females wanting to start a business?
You have to be realistic about whatever it is you're trying to get into. It was a big question whether I'd be able to make a practice in Boulder work. Almost everyone I know has failed miserably. 95% of acupuncturists are not practicing within 5 years. The odds are terrible. I've definitely put a ton of work into my business. I've been very intentional as to who I want my market to be. I'm not just following my passion blindly. I've put the work in. At the end of the day, I was just taking this big leap and hoping to god that it would work out. And, it has. It has to be a good bit of doing your research, knowing what you can do and the guts to go for it.
I was a pretty neurotic competitive runner. I can relate to people who are injured and, maybe, even more of a neurotic runner. For me, running is about pushing myself and setting some goals, but I don't even run with a watch. I don't care how many miles I get in in a week. It's more about balance and it makes me happy. I can run and get out into amazing places that might take someone 3 days to hike and I can run it in a few hours. That's why I do it. Running is always the highlight of my day.
What advice would you share with other females wanting to start a business?
You have to be realistic about whatever it is you're trying to get into. It was a big question whether I'd be able to make a practice in Boulder work. Almost everyone I know has failed miserably. 95% of acupuncturists are not practicing within 5 years. The odds are terrible. I've definitely put a ton of work into my business. I've been very intentional as to who I want my market to be. I'm not just following my passion blindly. I've put the work in. At the end of the day, I was just taking this big leap and hoping to god that it would work out. And, it has. It has to be a good bit of doing your research, knowing what you can do and the guts to go for it.