Dr. Sara Michael and Dr. Stacy Reinhart, who are licensed audiologists, are the owners and operators of Audiology Associates, LLC, d/b/a The Hearing Clinic, which opened for business in February 2008 in Windsor Heights. The Hearing Clinic is a private audiology practice that provides diagnostic hearing evaluations, otoacoustic emissions testing, aural rehabilitation, custom hearing protection, and hearing health care.

Doctors Michael and Reinhart came to the Mid Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for assistance in planning their marketing and updating their business plan. The clinic had been in business for a year and a half before they came to the SBDC for assistance to grow and expand their business.

The two owners met with SBDC counselor Greg Saboe over an eight month period to work on marketing materials as well as marketing strategies. Together they developed a schedule for marketing the clinic and its services, and also reviewed ideas on additional target markets. Greg also did an onsite review of their facility, a complete review of their business plan, and worked with the two doctors to review and recommend marketing and sales strategies and advise them on the cash flow management of the business.

As a result of SBDC assistance, the company grew from very few patients to 1,000 patients in two years. The women received a TSB loan, which allowed them to focus on marketing. The SBDC provided additional resources for them, allowing them to grow their business quickly. They currently do not have any other employees other than the two doctors, who also do work at the VA Hospital when they can.

Dr. Sara Michael stated, “As a new business, we do not have funds available to hire professionals for the many different aspects of our business. We learned about the Small Business Development Center through a networking group. The help we have received from the SBDC has helped us update our business plan and streamline our marketing efforts. We are thankful that these resources are available for us.”

The Hearing Clinic is an excellent example of how working ‘on the business’ in addition to working ’in the business’ and using the best resources available to navigate growth and planning makes a successful business. Check out The Hearing Clinic’s products and services online at http://thehearingclinic-dsm.com/.