Are Small Businesses Dying? Part 4 of my interview series with small businesses

With NJ and other states set to gradually re-open, many of our small business owners are chomping at the bit to get back in the swing of things and regain momentum lost from Covid_19. Those that have managed to stay open are making plans to scale up, while those that were forced to close their doors are about to find out whether the changes they've made to their model is enough to survive in the 'new normal'. This week, I sat down (virtually) with Jason and Marissa Abaza, owners of Adjust Chiropractic Health Center. As an essential business, they were lucky to stay open and have been working hard to adapt their business to keep their clients safe and healthy while providing stellar service. As you'll read later, they're not your average chiropractor. If you're in need of chiropractic care, I highly recommend.

Interview with Drs. Jason and Marissa Abaza, Adjust Chiropractic Health Center

A holistic healthcare facility that specializes in neurologically-based

chiropractic care.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adjustnj

IG: @newjersey_chiropractor

Website: http://www.adjustnj.com

Q1: What is your business and When did you open?

Adjust Chiropractic Health Center is not your typical chiropractic office. We are a state-of-the-art holistic healthcare facility that specializes in neurologically-based chiropractic care. Our approach to healing is far different than conventional medicine – it is rooted in vitalistic philosophy and recognizing the body's incredible ability to heal itself. The body’s ability is heal naturally (without medications) is more powerful than we are led to believe. And while this approach is all-natural, it is rooted in scientific evidence. At Adjust, we still adjust the spine; however, we use a technique that is very gentle and specific, and requires no popping, cracking, or twisting so we can adjust the most delicate spines. We serve people of all ages, and even specialize in perinatal and pediatric chiropractic care. Adjust Chiropractic is in Rockaway, NJ and has been serving North Jersey since 2018. To learn more about our approach to health, visit adjustNJ.com

Q2: How has Covid-19 effected your business?

COVID-19 has presented us (and all small businesses) with some challenges. We are considered “essential” and therefore have been open normal hours throughout the pandemic. During this time, our normal patient volume has decreased but we have also still seen a healthy influx of new patients. We have implemented deep cleaning protocols throughout the office every 30 minutes, and each adjusting room is sanitized before and after every patient.

Q3: Have you applied for/received any help from SBA grants or loans?

We appreciate the financial government assistance during this time. The PPP loan has given our team the security, and peace-of-mind by making sure all of our employees are getting paid for their hard work.

Q4: What are you doing to adapt your business in order to survive and grow beyond 2020?

We have begun on online marketing campaign through Facebook where we are offering a new patient special which involves a consultation, physical exam, and nerve evaluation for just $40 (normally $100).

For our existing patients, we’ve implemented a new “call-in, check-in” system where our patients call the office once they arrive and we manually check them into a treatment room so that they can walk directly into the room to get adjusted in order to avoid sitting in the waiting area unnecessarily.