I grew up in New Orleans, LA, breakdancing, biking and skateboarding -- basically
figuring out all the ways to break bones and screw up your spine. I graduated college
from University of Mississippi having proudly learned how to play every Zeppelin
song on my custom Strat and earned a Pre-Med Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological
Science and a minor in Chemistry and Clinical Psychology. I then worked in Hospitals
and Laboratories and figured out I had my fill of the traditional medical field.
I always wondered what drove people towards their actions or lack thereof. I thought
graduate school would be fun, so I did a year towards a Master's degree in Therapeutic
Psychology. This seemed very limiting to me since it still involved labelling people.
I wanted to get to the source of why people suffer, mentally, chemically or physically.
So here, after having taken the MCAT, DAT and GRE, I decided Chiropractic is for
me -- full of philosophy, full of heart, full of science, full of art and most of
all -- full of healing.
I graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX with a Doctor of Chiropractic
degree and an additional Bachelor of Science degree just for kicks. Actually, I had
to do everything I could to keep my mind off of being recently divorced -- 32 credit
hours per semester was the perfect thing (dealing with academic stress and brain
exhaustion was much better than divorce). I felt transformed. I was equipped with
an enormous amount of knowledge of the Human Body and the Human Experience and I
was ready to use what I had learned. Broke as ever and owing over $140,000.00 in
student loans, I opened my practice in Mobile, AL in July 2000. For two years Balance
Chiropractic Care was open on Pinehill Drive in Mobile, AL, a "One-Room Floorplan"--
a desk and an adjustment table. I did pretty well, but I knew myself and I always
wanted something bigger and better.
After two years of private practice and learning violin, I decided to move to Austin,
TX for a year to work with my best friend and entrepeneur from school, Holly. After
that I decided to work in Hattiesburg, MS where I had the awesome opportunity to
learn from one of the most successful chiropractors in the nation, Dr. David Peavy.
His philosophy and methodologies enabled us to see as many as 120-170 patients per
day. It was mind-blowing and I learned so much about how to treat patients and communicate
by speaking in terms of their values to help them live their lives as they wish.
The only problem was I figured out that I missed having my own office.
So, in 2003, I find myself back in Mobile, AL with a whole new mission. I wanted
to practice Chiropractic as well as give equal respect to the biomechanics/kinesiology
that tend to cause dysfunction or "dis-ease". My office was Balance Family Chiropractic
Care located in Midtown Mobile, AL. I had two adjustment rooms with several adjustment
tables and a physical therapy room with Hydrocollator Packs, Electric Muscle Stimulation,
Ultrasound, Roller-Traction Table and Robotic Massage Chair. It's was a nice, relaxing
office with great music and no BS. It was exactly what I wanted from a chiropractic
career and I loved everyone of my patients. Then it came to me, I want to do more
for people and I want to help more people. In short, I want to help other people's
dreams come true. So, to kick-off that inspiration I decided to close my office and
go to the most easily recognizable place of inspiration - Disneyworld. I promise
I'm not crazy.
This idea was the result of many considerations, one of which was to follow one of
my dreams and to get behind the Disney scene and be a part of service in other people's
dreams. It truly was magical. I will never forget it. Getting to live in Disney's
world was every bit an inspiration as I knew it would be. The next consideration
was to witness and be a part of the best customer service on earth and to find a
way to get into the business arena to carry inspiration into all areas of the professional
world.
I then set my sites on consulting, business development and marketing as a Regional
Director with a healthcare company in Celebration, FL where my wife and I lived in
2008-09. This gave me a bold taste of the corporate world of healthcare. What I discovered
was this. Like any other business, they too were scrambling to find the most effective
way to communicate and cater to their patients in order to ensure repeat and referral
business. With millions, and in many health systems, billions of dollars at stake,
CRM was a major game-changer and a huge concern of CEO's as their jobs depended on
it.
This is what I have always been drawn to since I was a kid and that is what I will
do with the rest of my life. So now in Chattanooga, TN I am taking the final step
out of healthcare into the world of consulting to contribute my heart to customer
value and expectations in all areas of business, particularly pertaining to internet
presence and communications. Having launched the business plan for Viken Enterprises
in my head in January, 2006 while at a seminar in Houston, TX, I am now moving forward
with the manifestation of that vision. I have dedicated my life to serving people
in the past, but now I will do it through that which they value the most -- how they
see themselves. Watch out, Viken'z Here.
