Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jennifer Tom.
Dr. Tom, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, but it is not something I always knew I wanted to do since I was young. Looking back, many seeds were planted over time that led to me finding a passion for this medicine. Growing up, my grandpa made homemade Chinese herbal remedies that worked like a charm on my sprained ankles. I had a few acupuncture treatments when I was young and found it fascinating. Despite an interest in all things health and medicine during high school and college, I ultimately decided I didn’t want to go to western medical school. My first career after college was in event planning, but I hurt my back while on the job and then found acupuncture again to help heal from the injury.
All of these things added up to the realization that becoming an acupuncturist was the perfect blend of my passions in medicine, science, art, creativity and serving others in a healing profession. I dove into going to acupuncture school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Mission Valley, and haven’t looked back since. I have had my acupuncture practice in Carlsbad Village since 2015 and am grateful for the opportunity to help others every day.
Has it been a smooth road?
I actually started my practice in my hometown in Los Angeles at a high end western medical practice. I was the first acupuncturist in this office and it felt like a huge opportunity that might not come around again, so after living in San Diego for over ten years, I moved to LA for this job. However, within a few months, I realized that this was not the right situation for me at that time. Coming to this realization was hard because of expectations from others and myself about how things “were supposed to go” – to move my life to LA just to turn around and move again seven months later was not “part of the plan.” But going through this period of uncertainty really forced me to have clarity about what I wanted for my practice, my business, and really, my life. Leaving the medical practice I was at for the uncertainty of being on my own was daunting. But I knew I wasn’t happy where I was and I had to take the chance and bet on myself. All I knew for sure was that I wanted to practice in north county, with Carlsbad Village being the top choice. Call it what you want, but the universe was in motion when I came across the job posting for my current office.
These days, running my own practice has been fairly smooth so far, but there are definitely days that are harder than others, with a lot of learning moments along the way. I think it’s important to realize that when you’re the one running the show yourself, it’s all on you. For me, sometimes that can feel really empowering, and sometimes it can feel very scary, and a lot of times it’s both at the same time. You can create whatever you want, and there is no one telling you what to do, so make the most of this freedom to take a chance, try something new, fail, and try again.
My advice for other women starting out on their journey is to have clarity in what you want for your business and your day to day. Find mentors, coaches, colleagues or others who have been in the same job for longer than you, and learn as much as you can from them. Lean on those relationships for support, and remember to spend time with loved ones who aren’t in your profession too! There will always be some stress with running your own practice, and the feeling like you could always be doing more to grow your business. I have had to learn to be okay with not finishing everything on my to-do list in one day and taking time to relax and enjoy my non-work life too. Avoiding burnout and overwork is key to keeping the passion and energy for your business. Try not to get so caught up in the results, but celebrate the small and big successes along the way, and enjoy the journey!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Jennifer Tom Acupuncture story. Tell us more about the business.
Jennifer Tom Acupuncture is a neighborhood acupuncture practice built on practical, down to earth healthcare. We are proud to offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help you reach your health and wellness goals at any age and stage of life. Acupuncture is a complex medical system that has been used for thousands of years, and I am passionate about explaining how acupuncture and Chinese medicine work. I believe that demystifying the medicine, explaining what is going on from a Chinese medicine perspective, getting to the root cause of a symptom or disease, and explaining why certain points are chosen goes a long way in building trust, understanding, and empowerment that this medicine can help you recover from illness or injury.
Acupuncture is a respite for you from your busy day, where you can come as you are, relax and recharge, and feel better when you leave (the napping during the treatment is a great bonus too!) My passion is connecting with patients and their WHY for being in my office – yes to help decrease pain, increase mobility, bring their bodies into balance, but what will they be able to do in their lives that they are unable to do now? Helping others feel well and get back to doing what they love is what lights me up. I am happy to part of your support system, where you feel heard and understood, and it is an honor to be a part of your healing process.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
More than ever, women are empowered to use their voice and have a platform to make a difference. Branching out to do your own thing and not have a “conventional” job allows you the freedom to create what you want. Women have so many opportunities to lead with service, empathy, compassion, and integrity, in any field. Creating community over the competition will allow all of us to do some good in this world!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1207 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite T, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Website: www.jenntomacu.com
- Instagram: jenntom_acu
Image Credit:
Jennifer Tom, Navdeep Dhillon
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