Pure n' Simple Family Chiropractic
This month's business blog features Dr. Matt Shifflett, owner of Pure n' Simple Family Chiropractic in Kilmarnock. I met Dr. Matt years ago at a MOPS presentation, where, as a skeptic of the practice, I inundated the poor guy with question after critical question. Several years later and still skeptical of the practice, I went to him in desperation after injuring my low back. I was doubled over in pain and he adjusted me over several weeks. I wasn't all that surprised that his adjustments helped my back pain, but I was really surprised that his adjustments to my upper back made my tennis elbow disappear, something that neither two cortisone shots nor several weeks of physical therapy could help. Dr. Matt is smart, funny, positive, and up for anything. He and his wife, Caroline, have given tirelessly to our community and have become great friends. Here's my conversation with Matt:
Tell me about Pure n' Simple.
Our mission is to help people BE AWESOME! We do this by helping them feel better, function better, be happier and more productive in every area of their lives. We have this gigantic mission to make the world a better place to live, now and for future generations.
How long has the business been there and when did you first become a part of it?
Pure n’ Simple Family Chiropractic was established February 18th, 2002. That will make 14 years in February.
What ignited your passion for this particular line of work?
I was teaching high school Earth Science and Biology and decided that after one year, I needed to do something less stressful. So, I enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming an emergency room physician. About 3 months before starting, I was in a car accident. My mom ended up dragging me into her chiropractor (I jokingly say that there are still grooves in the asphalt from where I dug in my heels!) and very quickly fell in love with first the results, and then the beautiful philosophy of life from which the chiropractic principles are deduced.
How many employees do you have?
There are four of us, who together, form an awesome team that provides care to over 300 people and pets per week.
What do you like most about your work?
What I like most about my “work” is that it is very rarely work. One of my greatest mentors, Dr. Arno Burnier, stated that when he went into practice in 1978, it was the beginning of his “endless vacation.” I love that my practice is both mental and physical. Introverted and extroverted. I work with masses of people, yet one at a time. I see hopeless regain hope. I see miracles very nearly every day.
Excluding yours, what local business/organization do you admire most and why?
Shawn Donohue is one of my local business heroes. He had the guts to really bring this town to a higher level. Passing through some very challenging economic hurtles, he was able to consolidate and re-invent himself in a pretty dynamic way. Shawn is the owner of the Kilmarnock Inn.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to start a business?
The best advice that I can give would be to KEEP YOUR OVERHEAD LOW!
What do you do in your non-work time?
The vast majority of my time is spent with my wife, Caroline and our son, Billy. We are an adventuresome family. We love kayaking, canoeing, fishing, crabbing, hiking and camping. Recently, I have developed a strong passion for bow hunting deer.
How do you manage stress?
I have found managing my peace to be more effective in creating ease in my life than managing my stress. You get more of what you think and thank about!
Please give your website address and contact details.
purechiro.weebly.com, (804) 435- CARE, facebook @ Matt Shifflett & Pure n’ Simple Family Chiropractic, Inc., and YouTube @ Matt Shifflett