Do you remember the start of 2020? It was going to be the year of focus, the year of foundation, the year to burn the candle far into the night. Many of you probably purchased daytime planners or already has an influx of iCalendar events extending well into the future. Travel plans were mapped out with pre-purchased tickets because it was going to be that kind of a new year. Success and ease of life was at the fingertips.
Well, if that sounds familiar, it should be no surprise to hear that this was my story as well. I was safely and conveniently located within an ENT clinic. Five years of a Tax ID that sat by the wayside as I let the ENT do my billing and liaison contracts. Then COVID-19 hit and I initially wasn’t sure if those of us in the Audiology arena could sustain our businesses. I, along with many of my colleagues, temporarily shut-down our practices and stayed home for a span of time (6 weeks for me) while the world turned right, left, and every other direction except forward. There was stagnation, zoom meetings galore, extra drinking, a few extra pounds, and an unforeseeable future.
When businesses were offered the opportunity to re-open, I realized that I was about to go back to work in an environment of an ENT practice that was seeing patients with the symptoms to which my aging population was advised to stay away. I started realizing that my choices for addressing the needs of my patient’ were severely curtailed. I had no control of the front desk, the protocols outside of my one room office door, nor the staff. I was a ship taking a downward dip into a large unattended wave.
And that’s when Facebook Groups, Colleague virtual hugs, and ALL of us experiencing the same “sideways life” started to turn towards one another for support. This had the effect of making us stronger. In the kaleidoscope of online activity, I was learning how other audiology practice owners were staying a float including pursuance of PPP and SBA loans. With much apprehension, I applied for both loans and was shocked that my PPP application was accepted and in awe that my SBA loan was approved. I had money in hand, so what was I going to do? I could either play it safe and hope to stay afloat until things retuned to normal, or I could take a leap and use the money in a way that would best work in my favor. It was time to take everything I learned and heard from others to build my very own dream practice.
As I was getting ready to move forward with my plan, something more awful than the earlier business shut-downs happened. In July 2020, I was diagnosed with COVID-19. While out from work for another three weeks, my recovery was not easy; at one point in time I was concerned that I would become a statistic, leaving this world without having achieved by dream practice. I did fully recover but it turns out, this scare made me push harder, dream bigger and believe in myself more.
I literally started to dream my bank account into action. I would lean into and believe that I could open a new business. I would walk away from the ENT and known financial safety net and seek out a location that would have all my ideals: location, cleanliness, staffing, protocols, equipment, more clients, more staff, more help for the hearing impaired, more help to the community. I dared to board the ship to a new adventure! And that’s when my real year of 2020 began. Right there, in my mind, with my small school-lined paper notebook, in August 2020. If COVID-19 taught me anything in 2020, it taught me that the quiet of the night, amidst all my insecurities, was when my hand did the most pen to paper engagement. Before I knew it, I had secured a Commercial Real Estate Broker, a 2nd Floor Corner Office with a view, an architect that drew to my dream and dimensions, and a building contractor – all who answered to me, the owner, and business decision maker, the purse strings. And I did all this WHILE continuing to work at the ENT.
I secured my current staff well before my doors opened. I purchased office equipment, with a now known end date in mind. I had the audacity to hold tight to my dream and not release it into existence until it was ready. I dreamed my new life and office space and before I knew it, the dream became a reality. Me, a woman who was once a young girl growing up in Colorado, who was afraid of her shadow and who struggled through many of her last adult years with her identity and self-worth.
My blessing was that I had many who supported me in my dream. They pushed me when I was saying forget it, they reminded me of my why when I was feeling defeated, they encouraged me with flowers, videos, friendships, and inclusion. I credit these individuals, including my three kids, Brayden, Taylor, and Sydney for helping me to defy the odds. A female business titan – 100% owner that has tripled my revenue in 3 years to over $600,000. All of this from a small ENT location with a footprint of about 200 square feet. If I can do it, trust me, you can do it too.
My many thanks to so many but especially to my parents, family, Entheos Cooperative, Dr. Gyl’s Women of Wonder Network and hosts, Entre Audiology, Sofia Figueroa, Sandi Mierish, Glenn Lundy, Danielle Delgado, Karen Michaelle, Chris Crumley, and Angela Loucks Alexander. You helped me to believe in myself and for this I am eternally grateful. But above ALL else, my greatest cheerleader and hope giver is God who is my true and constant North.
Kristi Mendoza, AuD is owner of Optimum Audiology in Apple Valley, California. Since 1991, Dr. Mendoza has been helping people improve their hearing by identifying custom solutions and offering products from a variety of leading hearing aid manufacturers. Prior to establishing her own private practice in 2015, she worked as an audiologist in private practice and as an outside sales representative for a large hearing aid manufacturer. Dr Mendoza earned her clinical doctorate from A.T. Still University in 2009. She has volunteered for numerous hearing mission trips, bringing the gift of hearing to children and adults in New York and the people of Kenya, Africa.
