Chinese Medicine Works

Owner: Minhua Shen.

Product or service: Acupuncture and herbs.

Address:2824 Camino Dos Rios, Newbury Park.

Date established: May 2007.

Hours open: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday by appointment.

Telephone: 498-8585.

E-mail: chinesemedicinework@yahoo.com.

Employees: 1.

Startup capital: $200,000.

Estimated annual gross revenues: $100,000.

Questions to Minhua Shen: What prompted you to start your own business? It has always been my dream to have my own practice, so I have the freedom to choose a location close to where I live. More importantly, I can treat patients more effectively and efficiently in my own clinic.

What is your educational and career background? In 1987, I graduated from Shanghai Medical University after completing the six-year program in the department of medicine. Then I attended Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. I graduated from USC with a master's degree in microbiology. Then I studied Chinese medicine in Dongguk Royal University, where I received two first-place academic awards.

How much research did you do before starting your business? The research was mainly on the demographic information in the area. I also checked to see how many acupuncture clinics there are in the area.

What were the most helpful sources, including Web sites? The most helpful sources are local chambers of commerce, the city Thousand Oaks' Web site and Ventura County government Web site.

What company or individual do you admire? I admire anybody who is kind, loving, forgiving and honest.

What will make your business stand out from competitors? First, I have very extensive medical background, both in conventional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Secondly, I am a results-driven practitioner. Often, I spend more than two hours with a new patient. Even follow-up visits will be an hour or more.

In July 2007, I treated 81 patients. Not a single patient walked out of my clinic without pain relief or improved symptoms. For cancer patients, I will refund 80 percent of my charge if they are not cured or substantially improved.

To the best of my knowledge, no one else is offering this refund guarantee for cancer treatment. This refund guarantee also shows how confident I am in treating cancer.

The areas of my expertise are mostly different from others. I have expertise in treating cancer, pains, injuries, stroke, infertility, fatigue, allergy, asthma, frequent night urination, prostate enlargement, abnormal menstruation, menopause syndrome, etc. For example, I treated four stroke patients in July 2007. With just a single treatment, three of them started walking on their feet for the first time after stroke.

Who is your target client/customer base? My target clients include local residents and senior citizens who have or have had cancer, stroke or head injury.

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