Deika King wanted to do something meaningful with her life after her mom was diagnosed with brain cancer for the second time, so she started Bras Thermography and Wellness. And for the first time in her life, work doesn’t feel like work anymore! Read our interview with the lovely Deika below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I have always known that I would own my own business. This started for me when I was a kid growing up in Panama. I was the kid in the neighborhood that would gather items and open up a fake store where the other kids in the neighborhood would come to shop. I would create money out of paper, distribute to the kids and have them buy from me. It’s funny now that I think about it. When my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer for the second time, I knew that I had to do something meaningful. My life fell apart and I felt like I was just wasting time. I have been an educator for over 10 years and knew that the way to help others would be to teach a valuable skill that would last a lifetime and be shared with others.
Tell us about your business.
Bras Thermography and Wellness was created to empower women to take charge of their own basic preventative breast health. Our company provides safe, non-radiation, no compression breast and body screening, breast health prevention education and also provides a holistic approach to improving breast health. As a natural health practitioner, I wanted to provide a space where women could come and feel safe and comfortable talking about their breast health concerns. I also wanted to be able to provide breast screening to women that have avoided other screening methods because of the pain associated with that type of screening, because I truly believe that when a woman chooses not to be screened she is more likely to develop a chronic condition. So doing nothing, is not an option.
Where is your business based?
14526 Old Katy Rd. Suite 225, Houston, TX 77079.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I had to travel to Florida to receive training to be a certified clinical thermography in order to be able to offer screenings. I also attended training on educating women on how to improve their breast health using natural, safe and holistic methods.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The most effective way of raising awareness has been by speaking to other practitioners and individuals in the area that are like-minded when it comes to natural wellness. Also, taking part in health fairs when possible has helped to some degree, but luckily a good portions of new customers are from referrals and google searches of women looking for screening other than the “Gold Standard”.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
The biggest challenge has been starting with limited income and self-funding. Although difficult, definitely worth it, especially when I get those hugs and thank you’s from my clients before they leave their session.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I am still working on overcoming those things, but I work through them, because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about my clients. I do make great efforts to be budget conscious but still provide the service and products my clients need on their way to wellness.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
It’s easy to be motivated when you are doing something you deeply love and would do regardless. This is the first time in my life that I am doing something that I wouldn’t consider work and that I am very proud of doing.
How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I am the only practitioner dedicated to improving women’s breast health using predictive breast screening, prevention education and holistic solutions to their breast health concerns.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Just start. It doesn’t have to be perfect for it to have value.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
I would say to them, make sure that you love what you are doing, because they (clients) will know if you are bluffing. Also, I would say have faith in yourself and it will all come into fruition when it is supposed to. No need to rush.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
It would have to say that it would have to be brainstorming with other entrepreneurs that have been where I want to be. They are full of great advice, information and motivation.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Facebook @brasoffortbend
Twitter @DeikaK
Instagram @bras.imaging
Website www.thermographyandwellness.com
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Acres of Diamonds” by Russel Conwell.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I am currently learning Nutritional Response Testing as part of my Naturopathic Doctor training. I hope to be able to use this tool to expedite good nutritional responses for my clients in order to help in balancing their health.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goal for the next few months include increasing new client screenings with our October promotion. For the month of October I am offering the steepest promotional discount that I have ever offered to allow women and their friends to get screened.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, for the month of October we are running the following promotion:
Buddy Scans*
Option 1 – 1st scan is full price ($215) – 2nd scan is 25% off = ($188.13 each)
Option 2 – 1st and 2nd scan are full price ($215 each) -3rd scan is 50% off = ($179.17 each)
Option 3 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd scans are full price ($215 each) 4th scan is 75% off = ($174.69 each)
- Screening must be done as a group in office