Female Founder Friday | Dr. Cheryl Lee-Pow

Thanks to Elegant Entrepreneur for sharing my story.

by Danielle Tate / on January 05, 2018

It’s the first Female Founder Friday of the New Year, and I’m excited to introduce you to my friend, and woman entrepreneur, Dr. Cheryl Lee-Pow. Dr. Cheryl is the founder of Pow-HER Chiropractics, a firm that uses a unique blended approach of structural corrective and functional enhancement techniques to treat patients. She is the current chiropractor for the DC Divas Women’s Professional Football Team, and also a sponsor and supporting Chiropractor for the EX2 Adventure Races & MOCO Epic. Dr. Cheryl is a huge sports fan and has a wide array of experience supporting amateur, collegiate, and professional athletes, including U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, Division 1 Track & Field Championships, US National Tae Kwon Do Championships, Maryland Dew Tour, and the Nation’s Triathlon to name a few. She was also chiropractor for the Congressional Football Team, in which the nation’s senators and congressmen took on the Capitol Hill Police.

On top of all of her professional duties, Dr. Cheryl also sits on the Interfaith Works Board of Directors and promotes and supports Warrior Cry Music Project. She is an amazing example of an immigrant woman solving a problem she encountered, creating a business despite numerous challenges, and not only succeeding, but giving back to her community in spades.

So, if you’re frustrated working in a company that has rules that do meet your morals, or curious what advice Dr. Cheryl has to offer other female founders, don’t miss her candid answers to my questions below!

What inspired you to create your company?

Working for other people meant working on their terms and their time limit. Initially, I started seeing patients every minute. Which almost killed my desire for what I wanted to do. Then, I transferred to a different position and they allowed me 7.5 minutes, I thought “Oooh yeah more time to dedicate to my patients” and really feel like I was making a difference. But, I ended up getting yelled at every time I spent more than 10 minutes with a patient. I didn’t feel like I was doing right by my myself or my patients. So, I started my own chiropractic firm. I dedicate at least 15 minutes to patients and if I go over that time limit, it’s okay because everyone deserves their time. I wanted my practice to feel right and personalized; not rushed business.

What was your biggest obstacle and failure in going from idea to business?

That old saying, “If you build it they will come” was an obstacle. I had to figure out how to build “it” first. Even though I had a business plan, banks did not want to give me a loan. So, I found the money elsewhere in my parents. I was determined not to fail them or myself.

What’s next?

Honestly, building something better for my community and managing to have a family at the same time.

What is a life or business hack that you recommend to help other female founders?

Do what you love. Because, if you love it you will pour your heart and energy into it. If your company bores you or is just “okay” you won’t fight tooth and nail for it.

If you had a theme song what would it be?

“Differentology (Ready Fi Di Road),” by Bunji Garlin because I never sleep and this song gets me ready for any event.

Please share your best piece of advice for aspiring female founders.

As a female the road is never easy. There will always be obstacles in one way or another. Unless you are the first, don’t try to re-invent the wheel but instead build the best damn car to handle all those bumps that is still beautiful enough to admire.

#FemaleFounder #FemaleFounderFriday #WomaneEntreprenuer #womeninbusiness #DrCherylLeePow #powherchiro