Exploring Life & Business with Connie Desando of Carolina Health Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Connie Desando.

Hi Connie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, to Italian Immigrant parents. My dad came to Canada at 9 years of age with his family on a ship, while my mom came to SSM at 17 years of age. I grew up as an only girl with 2 older brothers and one younger brother. I went to an all-girls Catholic School, a decision my dad essentially made for my and one I would later come to appreciate and understand. My parents, although having minimal education themselves, were big advocates of their children receiving a degree. I did my undergrad at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. I graduated with a Bachelors in Human Kinetics, Honours Movement Science. My move to the US came in September of 1998 when I attended the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. While there, I picked up a Bachelor of Science degree and then graduated in Dec of 2001 with my Doctor of Chirorpactic Degree. I met my husband during Chiropractic School. We dated while there, and then he graduated four months before myself. He bought a practice from a retiring Doctor in Albemarle, NC. In March of 2002, I made the move to Albemarle and began practice with Dr. Jay. It was a stepping stone both personally and professionally. Would we be able to work with each other? Was I comfortable starting a life away from my family & in another country? Moving to the South was definitely a culture shock; however, this community has given me opportunities & allowed me growth. I think back to an opportunity I was considering after Chiro school graduation. I could have practiced in Chicago, IL. While that scenario was tempting, especially having youth on my side and the allure of the big city, I know moving here was the best decision. Stanly County has allowed me unique growth, above and beyond chiropractic. I can’t help but wonder if some of this growth would have been stagnated (having stayed in IL) due to being a small fish in a much bigger pond. Success, as I see it, isn’t simply in terms of finances. Jay & I got married in October of 2003. We had our first child in 2005. Once Victoria was born, I began working part-time, half days at the office. It was essentially the best of both worlds. I was able to be a chiropractor and a mom. Jamison was born in 2008, and Abriella in 2011. I continued to work in the mornings and then be home for the kiddos in the afternoon. For some time, each of the kids came to work with us, and we did have a true family practice. Patients will reminisce about holding one of the kids as babies or having them come into a room wanting to help with treatment. 

Once Abriella went to Kindergarten, I felt the need for change. It didn’t seem practical to continue having kids, and I somehow came to a crossroads thinking that my worth was only in being a mom. Although I was still working, I forgot that I was a professional and that instead of continuing to have more kids to prove my own worth to myself, I could grow professionally. That was an awesome feeling, and that’s when I decided to open my own practice in a different city, just 30mins from our Albemarle Practice. I now split my time between both practices. The kids’ activities have become our social calendar; however, my daily work with patients leaves me very happy. Most of the individuals I have me in my practice bring me much joy in allowing me to help them and trusting me with their care and that of their families. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting from scratch was indeed a struggle. Not having grown up in this small town where so many were familiar with each other was difficult. Not having my family around, my best friends, my biggest supporters/cheerleaders was lonely at times. However, these struggles forced me to integrate myself into the community. Become a part of it and make it my own. I wanted this to be a place where I wanted my family to visit and a place my kids would be happy growing up. I remember being told in high school that our time there is what we decide to make of it. That can essentially apply to any situation. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and served many leadership roles. I also served on various other boards throughout the community. Creating lasting impressions in our community are among my favorite things. I was participating in a local fundraiser for The Butterfly House (a community Child Advocacy Center) and brought the event Dinner on Main to Albemarle. A farm-to-table event, where myself along with various other volunteers, invited local farmers to share their bounty for a beautiful outdoor dinner in our downtown. It began as a fundraiser for the first Dancing with the Stars event, but I have continued the event for over 6 years, choosing a different beneficiary each year. A table is set up, streets are closed in downtown Albemarle, and over 120 people are seated for dinner. The Locust #Elfie 5K and The Lucky Leprechaun 5K are two other events I’ve continue to plan and support for several years. 

Growth and change isn’t always easy. Over the years, I’ve learned that there is not only one way to approach a condition, a person’s ailment, or nutritional preferences. I’ve had to lighten up in so many ways. Early on in practice, I couldn’t imagine recommending pain medication for severe pain. I learned that although continuing with chiropractic care was integral to their improvement, they may need something more immediate as far as pain relief. Just because I personally wouldn’t take pain medication, it didn’t mean that was the right scenario for everyone. Years ago, I met up with some friends from chiro school who introduced me to the current weight loss program I have in my practice. I remember thinking back then that I would not be content offering that program because of the supplemental food and its ingredients. As I and my practice matured, I came to the conclusion that these supplemental foods were simply a means to an end, the end being a whole food way of life. In not providing this particular weight loss service, I was missing out on helping an entirely different patient base. Being open to change allowed me to add services or products to my practice that potentially would not have been an option upon first starting practice. 

Now that I have the two practices, I do work a lot, and although it really doesn’t feel like work to me, there are times I struggle with some of my mom/professional commitments. Being self-employed feels like you are always on the clock. 

There’s always a post to be made, an email or text to respond to, products to order, equipment to learn about… I’ve learned over the years that it is impossible to attend every single activity in which my kids participate. I am there a lot and take time off or leave early, but there are sacrifices to be made in the process. It’s difficult playing catch up the entire week for having to leave early a couple of days in a row to attend an athletic event. I try not beat myself up when I can’t make things work, and when I do get to be there for them, I enjoy every minute. In the summers, before driving to Locust for my afternoon schedule, I go home to see and make the kids lunch. Going straight from one office to the other is much easier, but I try not to shy away from things simply because they are difficult. The nature of my practice this small town allows me to be a professional while still do the important things for my family. I can have the best of both worlds. 

I do not have a front office staff in Locust and have most often worked by myself since I opened 6 years ago. I struggle with hiring someone because I prefer handling things on my own. There are times when I do get a bit overwhelmed and end up having to stay super late to finish up all my day’s work. In recent months, Off and on, I have my Albemarle office staff to help me out in Locust. It definitely makes my day more efficient. I need to seriously consider hiring someone for this practice in in order to free myself up from some of the duties than can be delegated and grow the ones that require my expertise. 

Having gone to an all-girls school, I never really considered that things would be difficult for me as a women in practice or in the real world. I feel like I had been given every opportunity to succeed at anything I wanted to do. Men outnumbered our chiropractic school classes, but it was not something we every discussed or felt threatened by. When starting practice, however, I feel like some patients would prefer to see my husband, Dr. Jay, over me since he is a male doctor and someone they would consider stronger. It’s not something I notice or encounter much anymore since we’ve both developed our niches. When I first moved here and became involved with the Chamber, I developed leaderships roles. I’m not sure if it was because of my young age and inexperience at the time, being a newbie in the community or a woman but it was indeed an intimidating scenario to be surrounded by men who had been community leaders for longer than I was alive. Not all seemed to appreciate my role. That was over 15 years ago, and I imagine things would definitely be different should I choose to take on those kinds of leadership roles again. Experience helps gain confidence. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Carolina Health Solutions?
In recent years, my husband and I adapted the name Carolina Health Solutions to encompass both Albemarle Chiropractic Center (a Chiropractic Practice we both share), and then Locust Health Center (the practice I began 6 years ago and continue to split my time between Albemarle and Locust) I am a Chiropractor who also uses functional nutrition to help guide patients to a healthier way of life. I opened Dr. Connie’s Market and began selling “drconnieapproved” products Ingredients and products that I felt comfortable giving to my family were now available for my patients. In the very beginning, I began teaching yoga as a way to meet people and introduce myself and my practice to others in the community. I eventually received my Yoga Teacher Training Cert. My community associates me with all things health-related and will often reach out when it comes to events, questions, and treatments. (If I see someone at the grocery store or an event and they are eating something less than healthy or wearing inappropriate footwear, they’ll turn away with a joke saying that I would not approve of their choices.) When I opened up my Locust Practice, the business did well fairly quickly, and I realize it was because of the reputation I had already established in our County after over 10 years of practice. I had a grand opening and an Opening Day 4K run/walk, inviting families and friends from the community to participate free of charge. On my fifth anniversary, we celebrated with an Anniversary Run 5 K. Being able to treat various ages provides families with a great steppingstone for health care. I love empowering both individuals and families with the knowledge they need to take care of themselves. Using supplements instead of prescriptions, exercise instead of surgeries. My favorite saying is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. People are often receptive to learning a more conservative approach to their health, and what I’ve seen is that too many have only ever known an allopathic way. I have loved adding services to my practice as I’ve matured in my practice. The light beam generator has been an asset allowing people to handle their systemic inflammation, while the Carolina Ideal Weight Loss Program has transformed so many local friends into more food and health-conscious individuals. They are both looking and feeling great. In the very near future, I plan to add hormone testing to my wellness approach and continue with food sensitivity testing. I love how patients will seek my treatment prior to a more invasive approach. I am always happy to help guide them should something be outside my scope or expertise. My love for everything I offer my patients has allowed my practice to grow organically. I am truly fulfilled on a day-to-day basis with my practice. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Currently in the process of adding more services to our business under a new LLC. We are in the early stages but will be hiring nurses and already have a medical director. Our plan is to begin with IV hydration therapy and continue to add laser/beauty-related services. Looking forward to bringing our community Avanti Medi. 

Begin most mornings with 5 am Crossfit classes; in the summer, I’ll run with a pal a couple of days/week. I got in the habit of a daily Peleton Yoga Practice for 20-30mins over the past couple of years. Love my bookclub and reading all their book suggestions. Will be celebrating 20 years of marriage in October, and the two of us have worked together from the start. It’s not easy being “married to your work,” but we somehow have persevered and continue to do great things for our little family. When a business is family-owned, motivation for success hits a little differently than having to work for someone else. 

My favorite thing is sharing a meal with my family. My currently family of 5, any meal be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but just being together makes my heart sing, and hearing them share every little detail. I love the family meals with my Parents and brothers, although those meals are a bit more difficult because of our locations. That sense of community feeds my soul. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolinahealthsolutions.com/
• Instagram: @drconniesmarket @carolinaidealweightloss @avanti_243
• Facebook: @drconniesmarket @carolinaidealweightloss @Avanti_2023
• Linkedin: Connie Desando Eckman