Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Portnoy.
Lori, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be in a “helping” profession. Since it was the 1960’s that translated into being a nurse.
That’s what girls did then. Segue forward to the late 70’s and thankfully times had changed. I was in the pre-med program at Simmons College in Boston. My Uncle was a Chiropractor in Florida. He was visiting Boston and took me out to lunch. I had 3 Uncles who were Chiropractors so had some familiarity with the profession. In the course of that lunch that Uncle persuaded me to go to Chiropractic school instead. I wish I remembered what he said! All I know is at the end of the lunch he and I filled out the application for Palmer College of Chiropractic and the next September off I went. There were 16 girls and 160 men in my class…
Now it is almost 50/50, but back then it was a weird career choice for a woman. After working with my Uncle in Florida for 2 years, I moved to Chicago to be with my then boyfriend. I could not find a good associateship – working in someone else’s office. So I reluctantly decided to open up my own office. I found a spot in the garden level of 954 West Armitage Ave. It was dark and dingy, and the neighborhood was still iffy. Early on the police surrounded the building across the street because there was a gang meeting that got out of hand inside.
My mother saw it on TV and told me to duck out the back door. But it was $340/month. Sold! I figured it would be a temporary space until I figured out where I really wanted to settle. In September of 1982, I opened Alpha Family Chiropractors, Alpha so we would be in the front of the Yellow Pages – and not Armitage Family because it was temporary… In 1986 I ended up buying the building and 35 years later my temporary office remains.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of my sayings is “The skeleton of my life looks the same, but the insides have been anything but the same.” While I have been in the same office in the same profession for many years, life has had its twists and turns. I was 24 years old when I opened the practice. I married the boyfriend I moved to Chicago for and eventually had 2 daughters. I was divorced when the girls were 4 and 6 and found myself a single Mother running my own business.
The good news is that since I was the boss, I could make my own hours. I worked three days a week when the girls were little so I could be involved in their lives. I was a room parent, went on field trips, and attended all their school activities. Of course, that meant I made less money, as I was essentially the sole financial support for the family. But when I look back on it I regret nothing. Those memories are priceless.
Professionally it might have been nice to have a steady paycheck and paid vacations! There were times when I didn’t take a paycheck for weeks to keep the practice afloat. Everyone in a medical profession that bills insurance companies knows the challenges of keeping up with changing rules. Luckily right now I have the best staff I have ever had – one who has been with me 11 years. They make my life much easier. They handle everything. I usually only know of problems after they have been solved. I have a very steady patient flow and am always busy.
Time marches on and thankfully things have become more steady. My two daughters have grown into wonderful women. My office is thriving and I still love what I do. I’d say everything has settled into a nice rhythm these last few years.
Alpha Family Chiropractors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
There are many Chiropractors out there. So this is something I think about often. Why come to me? There may be someone else closer to where you live. I have patients who move to the suburbs and still drive into the city to see me. How lucky am I? Part of that is a skill set.
Hopefully, once you have done something for 37 years you get good at it. I have a technique that is a little less forceful than some others so people prefer that type of touch. But that isn’t the whole of it. I still get up every Monday morning and look forward to the new week at my office. I can’t wait to see how those patients I worked with the week before are doing. Were they able to do those things they couldn’t because they are feeling better?
Sometimes just getting a good nights sleep is huge. Maybe they were able to run, or play with their kid, or sit in the car for a long ride without pain. I have many patients that came to me for health maintenance that I have seen on and off for years. They are like extended family members. I have watched their kids grow up and have their own kids.
I love what I do and am still passionate about it. My patients know that. That to me is the biggest key to my success. I am so thankful that at this point in my career my practice is referral based. People send in others because they know who I am.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I always told my daughters my biggest goal for them was to be successful adults. To me, that is finding your passion and going with that. As you can tell from my story I kind of fell into being a Chiropractor after a lunch with my Uncle. I chose it before I knew how much I would love it.
Thankfully it all worked out for me! If you are going to do something for 30 or 40 years it best be something you enjoy. Make wonderful, long-lasting friendships. They carry you through the hard times and help you celebrate the good. If you desire to find a wonderful partner. I have friends my age who never married or had kids and are very happy.
I always wanted children – so work on that if it is your desire. I love seeing live music and have since I was a teenager. I still go hear music regularly. I love to travel and hope to do so well into old age, Do things that bring you joy. I adhere to the principle that at the end of your life what will count is the connections you made and the people you loved, That to me is a successful life.
Contact Info:
- Address: 954 West Armitage Ave Chicago. Il 60614
- Website: Drloriportnoy.com
- Phone: 773-248-2323
- Email: drloriport@gmail.com
- Facebook: DrLori Portnoy
Image Credit:
Ryan Moore Photography
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