Tell Me, What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
Who or what inspired you to start your business?
My dad and my friend Nicole inspired me to open my business. My dad was a local business owner, and alway 100% behind anything I chose to take on. My friend Nicole was also an acupuncturist. She introduced me to acupuncture, and inspired me to take the leap and go to acupuncture school.
What has having your own business meant to your family? (the good, the bad, the ugly)
I remember one day when my daughter was about 9, we were loading up my car after working at at festival. An acquaintance walked by and complimented my daughter on how well she was helping without complaint. My daughter looked at her incredulously, and said, “Ummm, this is our life.” Like, hellooo, lady, I have no choice because my mom owns a business. I busted out laughing, because it was so true.
I’m a single mom of two kids. They supported me through 4 years of graduate school and then 5 years of building a business. My kids have learned to be flexible, to work hard, to sleep on the floor as their mama finishes inventory, or painting a new office room, or whatever it is that I’ve got going on.
Owning a business has been the best and the worst. My kids have a stake in my business. They feel ownership of what we’ve built, but they also are affected by the stress of business ownership. Sometimes they feel deprived because I work so much. They feel the burden of my worry if money is tight, or if things are stressful at work. They also take pride in the successes of the business with me.
If you had to choose one strength that you possess that has helped you be the most successful- what would it be and why?
I’m tenacious. I do not give up, and I don’t fear failure. I think that these have allowed me to take risks in business that have (for the most part) paid off. I also trust my gut. My business is something I created, that was born from me, because of that I listen to what others say, but I chose what I know to be the right choice for my business.
What are you passionate about?
I love seeing people take control of their health and becoming empowered to make positive decisions about their healthcare. It is also so satisfying to see people re-engage with their bodies when they see how much healing they can do with just a small push.
What piece of advice would you give yourself if you were just starting your business again today
Rome wasn’t built in a day and a business can’t be either. Building a successful business takes time and lots of effort. I also would have built a network of trusted business owners sooner. Owning a business can be very lonely when you don’t have people to share the successes and failures with, but especially the failures! It’s so important to have people around who can say, “Been there, done that, and see, I lived to tell the tale!” Also, find someone you can talk real numbers too. Some of my best, “Aha” business moments have been when I was going over the books with someone, or comparing my stats to theirs.
In what ways can your business help another mom?
I can help a mama feel great. My business is all about stress relief and feeling good. Come see us for some acupuncture, herbal medicine, and/or herbal foot soaks.
What has been your favorite local resource to support you in your business
It is a great time to own a business in Roanoke. I love being a member of FemCity Roanoke because of the great women business owners, who really come out and support you. I was at an event for another member the other night and saw at least four FemCity members there too. I also use the Small Business Development center A LOT. It’s free and full of amazing information.
Learn more about Katie in our business directory.
Licensed acupuncturist, Katie Clifton is the Queen Executive Officer of Queenpin Family Wellness. Born in Roanoke, she is a mountain mama at heart who enjoys practicing acupuncture and creating wellness programs that blend her Southern heritage with her background in Chinese Medicine.
After teaching for 11 years, Katie began researching acupuncture and found that Chinese Medicine is a wonderful way to blend her love of working with people, her creative spark, and her passion for community education. Though she became interested in Chinese Medicine for pediatrics, she has enjoyed working in family medicine for the past 5 years.
Katie received her degree in acupuncture from Jung Tao School of Chinese Medicine. She is certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) A NADA certified practitioner.
Katie specializes in supporting breast cancer patients during and post treatment, pediatrics, and fibromyalgia. You can contact her through her website www.queenpinroanoke.com
