"Definitely do some planning but ultimately, just go for it" with Leslie Murphy

Amy Murgatroyd Portraits and Films

Leslie Murphy, Lic.Ac. knows she has the best job ever. She is an acupuncturist whose passion is to help people reclaim their health so that they can live their best lives doing the things they love. Using acupuncture and phototherapy, she tackles the root cause of an illness so that the body can heal itself. Running her own business that helps people on a daily basis - Leslie couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I always had a drive to “help people” and after graduating college with a political science degree, I thought the best place to make that happen was to work in the nonprofit sector. For a few years, I did research on corporate citizenship best practices, looking at how corporations used their money and influence to “give back” but then veered into the area of social work and community organizing. It wasn’t until I was hit hard with chronic pain that I turned my sights to acupuncture.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was working a desk job and basically developed a repetitive strain in my forearms that made typing on a computer, driving, even cutting an onion extremely difficult and painful. I was bounced from doctor to doctor who either suggested surgery for no known cause or told me I was fine and should return to work. It wasn’t until I started a course of acupuncture that I eventually felt like I got my life back. So, having always been intrigued by medicine and seeing first-hand what it could do for me, I decided to pursue it as a career. I always say that I’m actually quite grateful for that period in my life because I wouldn’t have changed career paths if I hadn’t had that struggle.

Once out of acupuncture school, I knew that I wanted to start my own practice and be my own boss. I was also a new mom at the time so being able to control my schedule and hours was a god-send so that I could manage to pursue what I loved while also being the mom I wanted to be.

Where is your business based?

My acupuncture practice is located in Cornelius, North Carolina but I also have programs and products available to those who can’t get to my office.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Acupuncture school is great at preparing you to be an acupuncturist, but it still has a way to go in preparing its students to be entrepreneurs. My first steps were to find an ideal office space and set up a website. From there I had to establish what type of business I wanted to be (sole proprietorship or corporation, etc.) and figure out Quickbooks! I also reached out to the local newspapers for a feature article for initial promotion and marketing.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Marketing can be a tough nut to crack. Besides patient referrals which are gold, most of my patients find me through a simple Google search. This makes having an effective website that actually speaks to what a prospective patient is looking for, so key.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenges have come whenever I’ve had to move my office space, either because of the pandemic or because of a personal move. It’s essentially starting all over again in a way because you’re in a new community where people don’t know you or how you can help them. At these times I just have to trust that I’ve built up my practice in the past, so I know that I can do it again. I also just hit the pavement and network with like-minded health professionals who may refer patients to me and vice versa.

How do you stay focused?

I’m a big list person so you’ll always find me with a check list of “to dos” to keep me focused on the immediate tasks at hand. I juggle my own practice as well as an online book blog and of course mom life, so compartmentalizing my time is key.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I try to convey on my web site that I understand where people are with their health struggles (because I’ve been there!) and explain how I can help them. When I meet with patients, it’s all about giving people the time to share their story and just listening. I’m also big on empowering people in a positive way to take ownership of their health. I get that people are busy and juggle many buckets so I research and share the easiest and most effective ways they can work on their health between treatments and lately that’s in sharing about phototherapy patches.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

I’d say it all centers on giving someone the best experience because then that person becomes my biggest champion and refers me to all their friends and family. It’s truly the greatest honor when I receive referrals from patients. Getting people to post reviews on my Google Business page is so helpful, though I’ve had to work through the uncomfortableness of asking someone for a review! Google reviews help you stand out in a local search but it’s also important to make sure my SEO is on point for my web site so that I appear on page one of local search results.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Definitely do some planning but ultimately, just go for it. I had people who thought I was nuts taking a big risk by changing careers and starting my own business but if the passion is there, the success follows. I truly believe that.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Goodreads or the Libby app because I LOVE to read. Goodreads help me track my reading, stay organized and connect with fellow readers. I can check out eBooks from my local library with the Libby app which is amazing. I also use the Chopra app because I love Deepak Chopra’s voice and listen to his meditations regularly.

My favorite blog at the moment is my own – She Reads Romance Books, where I catalog all my favorite books in fun book lists. Reading romance books is another passion of mine because they make me happy. Working on the blog is a lot of fun too and a completely different venue for me to express my creativity. I used to be embarrassed about it but now I just own it and have turned this passion into a successful online blog and community. There’s enough to depress you in this world on the news and in general, that I like to focus on love stories instead.

One of my favorite books that I often reread is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It just helps me get into the right mindset to remember to be impeccable with my word and not take things personally!

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Right now, I’m loving my online scheduling and charting tool, Jane App. I fought it for so long, going digital with my scheduling and charting, but it has been such a great move. Now everything is in one place and I no longer have to store paper charts! Scheduling, charting and taking payments is now at the click of a button.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Such a good question! I’m in awe of women who really came into their own and found success later in life. I’m talking about the likes of Julia Child and Louise Hay who became famous in their 50s and 60s. I just love that. Who says that you’re done or can’t pivot and find success at any stage in life? That is what motivates me to continually explore new aspects of my business and work.

How do you balance work and life?

At the moment I’m balancing running my acupuncture practice, running an online book blog, and being a mother of two and a wife to name a few 😊 Some days I feel like I’m doing great and other times not so much. It’s always a work in progress. Balance for me typically means frequent check-ins about what really is important to me. Do I really need to write that email or craft that blog post at 7 pm or do I want to play a game or snuggle with my kiddos? My kids take first priority and everything else just falls after that which means I’m gentle with myself about deadlines.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I honestly love to take baths at night with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil. They give me a chance to just have some peace and quiet to decompress from the day, relax, and get grounded again. It’s also a type of meditation time where I reflect on all that I’m grateful for as I believe mindset and your thoughts play a HUGE role in what you manifest in your life. I’m also never without a book – particularly a romance book. I love to immerse myself into a story and new characters who are always guaranteed a happily-ever-after!

What do you have planned for the next six months?

Since I recently moved to a new state, I’m focusing on networking to help build my local clientele but I’m also focusing on my online offerings as well. It’s been on my “to do” list for some time to write an eBook on phototherapy that guides people on how to use it for their own health and for their families. I plan to finish this book and have it up on my web site for sale this quarter!

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can learn about my acupuncture practice and my 21 Day RESET program which you can do from home by visiting: https://www.balancedhealthacu.com/

I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalancedHealthAcupuncture

For those who love reading romance like me, they can visit: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/