Starting From Scratch—By Choice
When the chiropractic office where Dr. Kjersten Jones worked suddenly closed in 2018, she had two options: join another practice or open her own. She chose the second—and launched Explore Wellness just two weeks later.
She didn’t grow up dreaming of owning a business. In fact, she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to. But when the opportunity came, she trusted her instincts and her decade of experience. That same year, she joined a local networking group and met business coach Allison Dunn. While one-on-one coaching wasn’t financially feasible at the time, Dr. Jones discovered an alternative: the Whetstone Board of Advisors.
Learning to Lead a Business
As a newly minted business owner, Dr. Jones knew how to take care of patients—but wasn’t as confident in managing operations, hiring, or setting boundaries. “I don’t have as much business experience as a couple of others in the group,” she said. But that didn’t stop her from showing up.
Through Whetstone, she began learning from other local entrepreneurs across industries. The shared challenges—team communication, setting expectations, holding boundaries—helped her grow quickly. “That’s a constant for us all, regardless of how many years you’ve been in business,” she said.
Building Confidence Through Community
In Whetstone, Dr. Jones found more than advice—she found support and accountability. As the group evolved, so did her leadership. She contributed more, asked better questions, and started owning her role as a business leader.
With help from the Deliberate Directions team, she:
- Hired a team member who matched her practice values
- Delivered a DISC training to build team collaboration
- Created clearer systems and performance expectations
- Developed the confidence to speak up and set boundaries
“I truly consider them to be my board of advisors,” she said.
Expanding the Vision
Dr. Jones now has her sights set on expansion. She plans to hire additional wellness providers and fill her space with like-minded professionals to support more patients.
That kind of growth wouldn’t have been on her radar early on. “Expansion is something I would 100% say I wouldn’t do if I didn’t have the backing of this group,” she said.
The group has helped her track metrics, document procedures, and hold herself accountable—even when the personal work felt uncomfortable. “The thought of setting a boundary used to make me nauseous,” she admitted. But Whetstone created a space where she could bring a challenge, get feedback, take action, and return with an update.
Leading with Clarity and Support
Dr. Jones didn’t set out to run a business—but now that she is, she’s doing it with clarity, confidence, and community. Whetstone helped her develop not just her business model, but her voice as a leader.
And as Explore Wellness continues to grow, she knows she has the support of a team who’s truly invested in her success.
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