BUSINESS INSIDER
ONE TO WATCH
SARI BOTROS Doctor of chiropractic and centre director at ROCK Chiropractic Health Centre What was your first-ever paid job? Working in Snappy Snaps as a photo lab assistant and photographer. My boss was my father so he always pushed me hard within the business whilst I was working there. Why did you decide to set up Rock Chiropractic? I felt there needed to be more health and less illness within the community. We used the name ROCK because we believe that good health is built on solid foundations. What were your biggest challenges in setting up the business? All the different types of consent we needed from the council for our business. We saw that the Quay House was on the market. It is a beautiful 500-year-old building and was an ideal location for what we wanted. This building, however, is Grade I-listed so we needed to work around it in the best way possible in order to get the consents required. It took us months to get everything sorted but eventually we managed to get there.
Sari Botros – doesn’t do stress
Who have been your biggest influences and role models throughout your career? My parents, as they taught me the importance of working hard and also gave me the opportunities I have today. My wife, because she has stuck with me through thick and thin and always goes the extra mile when it comes to helping others. Dr Tim Young, who is an American doctor of chiropractic in Oklahoma – he is regarded as one of the world’s best chiropractors. I have been trained by him and continue to be so today. He always holds a strong influence on me because of his level of certainty when it comes to philosophy of health, something I believe there isn’t enough of within the health profession.
And its weaknesses? For me, I haven’t found a single weakness. It’s a growing city that has everything to offer, but if I had to be picky it would be the amount of traffic jams we experience. What are your favourite stress-busting strategies? Stress occurs because of the way you react to a stressor. I always find out what that stressor is and ask myself: ‘Does this response serve me in a good way or a bad way right now?’ Nearly all the time you will see that it doesn’t serve you, so I change my response to that stressor.
What’s the best bit of career advice you’ve ever been given? Whatever you do, make sure you do it with great love, energy and passion. What do you enjoy most about your work? Seeing peoples’ health improving each time they come in to visit us. I really enjoy being part of their journey towards better health. What has been your greatest professional achievement to date? Opening ROCK Chiropractic Health Centre. I am very proud of this accomplishment because, ever since I was studying, I wanted there to be a place that specialises in chiropractic, X-rays, full spinal correction, health care, sports therapy, nutrition and rehabilitation – all within one place and still adhering to the true chiropractic philosophy of health, which is that the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself. 74 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk
What are Exeter’s strengths as a place to work? Beautiful city, lots of people who share a good health philosophy – and those that don’t tend to be open for change. Everyone we have met has been very friendly and extremely helpful. And also, let’s not forget, they have a fantastic rugby team!
What’s the one item in your workplace you can’t live without (not including computer)? My hands! Being a chiropractor your hands are very important, and without my hands I wouldn’t be able to help people to better spinal health.
GOALS CAN CHANGE AS YOU GROW – YOUR VISION AND PURPOSE SHOULDN’T
What’s the best bit of advice you could give someone thinking of setting up their own business in 2016? Have a clear vision and purpose. You can have goals, but always remember goals can change as you grow – your vision and purpose shouldn’t. Pursue it and persist, never give up but be prepared to work really hard for it and always expect the unexpected. What’s your motto for life? Work hard, learn hard; love and give hardest. For more: rockchiropractic.co.uk