Welcome to "Morgan Entrepreneur Spotlight," our monthly-ish showcase where we shine a light on Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurial superstars. Each feature delves into the journeys of individuals who have participated in our programs and are harnessing their learnings to fuel impressive growth and innovation.
Aimee Polgar is the owner of West Side Chiropractic & Wellness. Aimee has participated in the Burton D. Morgan Foundation-sponsored leadership retreat at Big Rock Valley in Cassopolis, Michigan, as well as post-retreat roundtables. Aimee has also participated in several learning and networking events, and she is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).
About Your Business
Please tell us a little about your business.
“I am a chiropractor by trade but am the Chief of Everything at Westside Chiropractic & Wellness. We are a family chiropractic and wellness practice in Avon, Ohio serving our local community by providing chiropractic care and massage therapy. What makes us unique as opposed to most other chiropractic clinics is that we are an upscale facility that makes you feel like you want to come spend time at our office. Our space is beautiful and we blend the spa-like, welcoming atmosphere with the quality of therapeutic services.”
How have the growth programs you’ve participated in influenced your business or leadership approach? What were your key takeaways?
“The time at the Edward Lowe property was a lifechanging experience that helped me dive deeper into the type of leader that I am. Learning more about myself as a person and leader has helped me mentor and lead my team better. The support of Burton D. Morgan Foundation for small business owners is a reminder that it takes a village to be successful, and that it’s ok to ask for and to participate in programs that are provided to us!”
Tell us about any growth, milestones, or key wins you’ve experienced since participating in a Foundation-supported program.
“I am on track (for a brand-new wellness practice) to hit the $1million revenue mark within 14 months of opening.”
What has been your biggest challenge in growing your business, and how did you navigate it?
“The biggest challenge has been creating a business that doesn’t require or rely on me. As entrepreneurs I think we all want to take the credit that we hustled hard to build a business…but we also want the freedom to be able to have the business run without us. It’s a difficult and humbling experience to go through that growth phase but it’s why I wanted to be a solopreneur!”
What are one to three goals you hope to achieve in the next twelve months?
“Over the next year, I want to maintain $1million+ revenue and continue to grow, be able to scale our processes and procedures to continue to make hiring/on boarding/training seamless and spend more time working on the practice than I am in the practice. My goal is to see patients 2-3 days/week.”
Insights & Impact
How do you define success — for yourself or your business?
“Success for me personally, is freedom. Financial freedom, freedom to work when I want to, freedom to hire and fire as needed without feeling trapped by the business.
Success within Westside is having a brand that people know on the west side of the Cleveland and that they trust. Success is living out our mission statement: make lives better.”
What motivates you to keep going when things get tough?
“I still have a lot of travel spots on my bucket list and travel is expensive…therefore I must keep going!”
Who has been an important mentor, partner, or supporter in your journey?
“My husband, Tyler, has been the biggest support in opening a new practice without a business partner like I had in my previous practices. Choosing your life partner is truly one of the biggest flexes in life - they can either make or break your future!”
How does your business contribute to your community or industry?
“Our business contributes by providing high-quality, accessible and affordable chiropractic care to our community, and from a philanthropic standpoint, we regularly donate raffle items, gift cards and other contributions to support fundraising events. Giving back and helping goes beyond the clinic walls.”
What advice would you offer to entrepreneurs just getting started?
“It is SO do-able. There are so many incredible (and free!) resources. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most successful business owners are happy to spend an hour over coffee giving away all the best advice.”
Personal Reflections
What role does innovation or creativity play in your business?
“Innovation is so important as we look for better ways to serve our patients and add value to what we do without having it increase costs for us or our patients.”
What book, quote, or resource has most inspired you?
“In general, any business book (or podcast episode) recommended to me, I read. If it helped someone else, even 1 paragraph in it, might help me.”
What legacy or long-term impact do you hope to build through your entrepreneurial work?
“I hope to create a business that provides my team members: a beautiful space to work, a supportive and friendly team to spend their days with, financial opportunities that similar practices may not be able to offer and a culture that breeds leaders.”
To learn more about Morgan Foundation sponsored programs and opportunities for second stage ventures, contact Michal Marcus.
If you have participated in Morgan Foundation sponsored programs and are interested in being featured in the Spotlight, contact Gina Dotson.