Welcome to the Planning for Practice Success Newsletter

Practice Startup Success
Information Advice Encouragement

March 5, 2007
ISSN 1934-3248

QUOTE: You can't change what you've done, so you might as well just take pride in it.
Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata

In this issue:

Quote: Mistakes
Tax laws by state
Local resources for startup information
Vista Ready?

Mistakes.  We all make them.  I make lots of them.  And they cost money and time (which is the same thing as money).  I spent a lot of time going down the wrong path in marketing my books and services.  While I'm not yet ready to "take pride" in my mistakes, I recognize that they are a necessary part of going into a new venture.  You too will make mistakes as you start your practice.  I talked recently with a DC who has been in practice three years or so.  He admitted he made a lot of mistakes when he was starting.  The learning curve for a new business is pretty steep - we don't know where we're going so we flounder along for a while.  Another grad I know spent thousands on marketing attempts before he found that he just needed to get out there and make himself known to prospective patients and keep in their minds.

The lesson for all of us is to keep working at it.  The best advice I can give you is one a very wise chiropractor told me:
"Don't spend all the money."  Whatever you get for startup, spend it very carefully, because your mistakes will cost you money.  My goal is to help you make fewer mistakes.  Don't hesitate to ask; I will respond quickly via email, or we can talk by phone.  Write me at jean@dcpracticesuccess.com.

Are you ready for April 16?  Although you probably haven't started your practice yet, you may want to check tax laws in the state where you're considering starting practice. Here is a list of states and links to tax forms in each.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/taxcenter/article174970.html

Local Resources for Startup Information:  As you explore possibilities in the town where you're setting up practice, here are some good local resources.

One reader suggests checking with the development office in your city or county.  Most towns and cities have such an office, which encourages businesses to locate there.  They will have lots of demographic information and can discuss which parts of the area are growing.  They can direct you to friendly bankers, too.

Many cities and counties have a central office that helps with business startup.  If there isn't one where you're going, here are other offices you might want to visit:

- The county recorder's office can help with DBA (fictitious name) forms
- The building and safety department for permits
- The assessor or treasurer can tell you about property taxes and other local taxes
- The planning and zoning board (particularly if you are going into a home office)
- The fire department can inspect the building for fire code violations
- The health department for biomedical waste (OSHA stuff)

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS CARD when you visit these offices. Civil servants need chiropractic care too!

(Next issue: Useful departments in your state)

Vista Ready?  Are you considering buying a new computer?  You probably will not be able to avoid the new Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 as your web browser.  But there are alternatives.  I use Mozilla products:
Firefox browser, Thunderbird email, and Sunbird calendar.  Download them by going to mozilla.com.  These products are "open source," which means they have been developed by independent programmers and there is no charge for these products. Honest. And they are better than IE.  This is one case in which "you get what you pay for" is not true.
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Ask Dr. Jean Murray a question: email her at jean@dcpracticesuccess.com
Order Planning for Practice Success or one of our other
products or call our toll free number at any time (24/7): 1-866-940-7526

Best wishes for your continued success,

Jean Murray
Planning for Practice Success
Online at http://www.dcpracticesuccess.com

The most absurd and reckless aspirations
have sometimes led to extraordinary success.
-- Vauvenargues

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