An Interview From Main Street

Montclair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Interview

In this monthly series, I had the opportunity to interview a long-time friend with whom I played high school hockey at Red Bank Catholic. As you will learn from my interview, Dr. Kevin Pecca had an interesting path to becoming a successful chiropractor. He owns Montclair Upper Cervical in West Orange, New Jersey, and his new location in St. Augustine, Florida, where he and his wife live.

How did you become interested in chiropractic, and what led you to take over the practice?

I've had a fascination with chiropractic since childhood. I started seeing a chiropractor in third grade and always felt better after each visit, even though I didn't fully understand the process then. I'd make a few trips annually throughout high school hockey to ensure my body was in shape. Despite considering it a profession, I doubted my ability to excel in the sciences. However, everything changed when I suffered a severe ice hockey concussion at 20. The ensuing symptoms, from brain fog to anxiety, left me desperate for answers. Traditional medical tests showed no issues, yet I felt like I was falling apart inside.

After years of struggling, I found myself in an Upper Cervical Chiropractic office, where they focused on realigning the upper neck to restore proper nerve and blood flow. Witnessing the transformative effects firsthand, I enrolled in chiropractic school, driven by a desire to help others as I had been helped.

Following graduation and having no business degree, I took out a loan to purchase an existing practice from a retiring chiropractor. While this was a great opportunity, it didn’t come without challenges, as I had to learn to run a business and manage clients in about eight months before she moved to Florida. Luckily, she was a great teacher and mentor, allowing me to learn the business and her clients quickly.

What challenges did you face when taking over the practice, and what advice do you have for other business owners?

One significant challenge was earning trust as a young practitioner. Patients initially questioned my expertise due to my age, but consistent care and confidence helped me overcome this hurdle. While the foundational advice of prioritizing patient care had served me well, I realized that as the practice expanded, I needed to augment my approach with more structured systems and support. As I brought on additional staff and expanded our services, I encountered roadblocks that necessitated a more strategic approach. Seeking guidance from seasoned professionals and implementing proven systems were crucial to overcoming challenges.

That’s when I hired a business coach in Montclair, the original office. We focused on proactive goal setting and implementing new strategies, including setting clear monthly, weekly, and yearly objectives. I've witnessed significant improvements in the practice's performance. This disciplined approach has been instrumental in driving growth and enhancing the overall effectiveness of our operations

Once I learned how to run the Montclair office, I took what I learned from my business coach and opened an office in St. Augustine, Florida. Starting a new practice from scratch has presented unique obstacles, especially in attracting the clientele. While I had the basis of what my business coach had taught me, I knew I needed to take a different approach. That is why I started focusing on strategic marketing efforts, such as pre-launch advertising and networking with local businesses, which proved instrumental in generating interest.

With no business degree and no experience running a practice or hiring staff, how did you tackle the various financial and operational aspects, like hiring, budgeting, employee compensation packages, and health plans?

Taking over the practice necessitated a re-evaluation of financial practices and staffing requirements. I established care plans and improved communication to ensure clarity and consistency in patient interactions. Networking with other practitioners and seeking guidance from mentors helped refine operational strategies and enhance efficiency. I've effectively managed the business's finances and personnel by prioritizing transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement while driving growth and expansion.

Your journey into Upper Cervical Chiropractic was a unique and inspirational story. Why do you think this specialized technique was overlooked for so long? How are you bringing attention to it?

Upper Cervical Chiropractic has deep roots, with its origins tracing back to the inception of chiropractic by Daniel David Palmer in the early 1900s. His son, BJ Palmer, invented Upper Cervical Chiropractic treatments. However, over time, it fell out of focus as other techniques gained prominence because of the complexity of the treatment and the lack of technology available to do such a procedure on a patient. Because of that, fewer chiropractic students were exposed to it, and its complex nature deterred many from mastering it. With limited practitioners, 100 worldwide, and traditional word-of-mouth marketing, it remained obscure.

However, with the advent of social media, we've been able to spotlight this transformative approach. By sharing success stories and educating the public, we're revitalizing interest in Upper Cervical Chiropractic. The profession is experiencing a resurgence, with schools reintroducing the technique into their curriculum, paving the way for a new generation of practitioners