College graduation + marriage + relocation + opening a small business = SUCCESS!

Now just imagine completing all those tasks in a little more than four months. That’s just what Doctors Gabe and Linda Carroll did during 2009.

In January 2009, Gabe and Linda were both nearing the end of their schooling at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. They started discussing where they might live and gain employment following college graduation. Gabe, who is originally from Creston, said after looking into employment possibilities, such as working with other doctors or taking over a practice, they just couldn’t find a good fit. At that point, they decided to move to Creston and begin looking at the possibility of opening their own business.

During a business class at Palmer College of Chiropractic the Carrolls first heard about Iowa’s Small Business Development Centers. During this same college class, they were able to start writing a business plan for a new business. In February 2009 the two graduated from Palmer and the very next day they moved to Creston and began working diligently on establishing their business. They also placed a call to Dave McLaren at the South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center in Creston.

Working with Dave, the couple finished their business plan and got their financials in order. Dave also helped them with the paperwork for a grant to assist with some of the business start-up costs, such as lawyer fees, office setup, etc., and to obtain a loan from a local bank. With everything in order, the Carrolls purchased a store front at 224 N. Pine Street in Creston. Following some extensive work inside their new building, Carroll Family Chiropractic opened for business on May 13. “Dave was very knowledgeable,” stated Linda, “and he helped us see the big picture,” Gabe added.

At this point, the business is ahead of all initial projections. The facility’s goal is to provide the latest in evidence-based chiropractic care. Each patient is provided with individualized, personal treatment. Services available at Carroll Family Chiropractic include the following:
- Activator Technique - Lumbar Flexion-Distraction
- Applied Kinesiology - Thompson Drop
- Low-Force Adjusting - Extremity Adjusting
- Massage Therapy

Because of SBDC assistance, the Carrolls feel they’re a step ahead of where they might have been otherwise. “In school, our business plan looked the same as many of our classmates,” Linda explained. “Until Dave, we didn’t have anyone to help with the technical aspects of starting a business.”

In the future, the Carrolls hope to add acupuncture and expand their massage therapy services. At this point, they employ a part-time receptionist, which they are hoping to expand into a full-time position. They also want to add a massage therapist in the future.

To learn more about Carroll Family Chiropractic, please visit their web site at www.carrollfamilychiropractic.com.