Tracy Honour practices at EastWind Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine Clinic in Bothell with other Bastyr grads.
Briefly describe your practice (business model):
I am a sole proprietor working in a group practice with another acupuncturist, an ND and a massage therapist.
How is natural medicine accepted in your region?
Very well. I am close to Bastyr and Seattle but in a semi-conservative town. It is becoming more and more accepted in my area, partly because I've been here for four years and medical practitioners are becoming more aware of how acupuncture is helping their patients.
What do you find to be the most interesting aspect of practicing?
Continuing to learn the medicine. It is an on-going process of learning from my patients through practicing.
What are your overall marketing strategies?
Everything! Keep doing and trying everything because each thing you do has a trickle effect which builds to a stream and then a river and then a sea (just like the acupuncture meridians!). I've done advertising in the yellow pages and newspapers, direct marketing with ValPak, I've gone around my town and met business owners and residents face to face, offered free treatments to all medical providers in my town, done various speaking engagements and health fairs, given seminars at the local retirement home, and then gone around again to the same people, bringing more business cards and brochures. I write thank-you notes to each person who refers a patient and to each new patient, send out regular mailings to current and old patients, etc. I am now developing a website and getting published on the internet.
What keeps you motivated to practice?
Helping people become healthier is very motivating. Making a living is also very motivating
What's next for you? Where would you like to place your energies?
Keep growing the practice. I'm starting to feel very comfortable with where I am. I balance my practice with taking care of my 9-month old son so I am able to work part time and make a good living. It's taken a long time to get here but it's great now!
What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of healing?
My 9-month old son Bryce, my husband, bicycling, hiking, running, walking, bird-watching, traveling, my two dogs.
Tracy Honour, MS, LAc 