Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna (Dr. Jojo) Snook-Snow.
Joanna (Dr. Jojo), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
OK, so I will just go through everything from the beginning then so I was in service industry in my early 20s and kind of always wanted to be a chiropractor, but was really intimidated by the courseload and how much education that it took I had initially requested information about it the program in my early 20s. I was working in service industry making money is so easy so I kind of just stayed on that path and decided not to go to school to be a chiropractor and then I kind of found myself at a crossroads in my 30s so I had been working mostly in retail cosmetics ( I worked for Clinique at the time) and had been doing Freelance Makeup Artist and was kind of at a crossroads. I was looking for job security and feeling like no matter what I did it was never going to be good enough in the makeup world like in the makeup world I felt like I was constantly going to be trying to climb or make connections just to even survive so I really started looking for something that fulfilled me spiritually And that would have job security, unlike being a make up artist in my opinion so I quit my job and I was at that time. I was working as a Nordstrom cosmetics manager at Clinique and I quit my job and I went back to school. I pursued an undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry with emphasis on a predental track (in undergrad I worked at the Mac store as a freelance makeup artist on the plaza, and still did weddings and special events). My initial plan was to be a dentist Again wanted to be some type of doctor, but was too afraid of being considered not “” a real doctor so I settle on dentistry even though it was not my first choice and I just kind of went with that so from doing that I kind of poured everything I needed to pour into the predental track so that’s you know thousand probably about 1000 hours of shadowing other dentist and doing volunteer work, working free events just kind of you’re really putting yourself out there. I took the dental admissions test And I applied to dental school. The first year I applied. I was a waitlisted second year I was interviewed and then denied entry (for whatever bullshit reason) which is when I had to take a big look at my life and where I wanted it to go because I just felt like dental was a path that I was pursuing that didn’t really seem to want me. I was like not working smarter, I was working harder with that stuff, just doing the same bullshit over and over and hoping it would work out, only because I was kinda scared to be a chiropractor (which is what I initially wanted to do!!). I was so afraid that I wouldn’t be taken seriously in the medical community, that I should just force myself into something else that deep down in my soul I knew I didnt want.
So yeah, I had the education, I had the grades and I had the DRIVE to do whatever I wanted to do, so I had to get real withmyelf and really reflect on what I was going to do at this crossroads in my life, so this sounds really funny but I made some moon water. It was a full moon coming up in the next couple days. I made the moon water and I meditated on what my next path should be, and I’ve always seen myself as a healer and someone who could help people live their best lives without pain and a lot of prescription drugs and what not and so I decided to just go for it and I applied to chiropractic school. I have watched people who just go through the mill of western medicine, who start with limited mobility, and sort of follow that path of joint replacements, pain meds, and without changing anything about their lives, still not gain any more mobility and kinda just be miserable.
was admitted very quickly again because I was pre-dental all my grades were impeccable so I had no issues getting into chiropractic school. I was even given a scholarship due to my exceptional GPA and basically started the program during Covid Couple months after I applied so and that same year during the pandemic we also bought a house and moved and yeah, I just kinda did everything all at once.
So that’s kind of how I ended up with chiropractic. It was definitely the path that chose me and I am so happy and so grateful to be here. People hate going to the dentist so I’m not sure why I was trying to push myself into a profession that notoriously gets a bad reputation for putting people in pain so instead of putting people in pain, I take people out of pain
Also im not going to lie, quitting your job and starting over in your 30s is a WILD ride, it took alot of blind faith that everything would just work out, but I think people NEEEED to hear these stories, to know that, if you are unhappy in a job or a path that you have found yourself in, it is NEVER too late, you can change your life! And age should never be a factor, like is weird being 32 in a gen chem class at UMKC? I mean yeah, if you make it weird. I am always such a natural leader, that I think even though I was a non traditional student, I still had so many friends, and such a good group of people that I surrounded myself with, because people are drawn to me, but also people are drawn to the gritty moxy and courage that it takes to enroll back into school!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wow, I actually included some of this in my previous answer so yeah, my obstacles and challenges were definitely the bumpy road of getting into a graduate program not ending up in dental school, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean our obstacles are what makes us strong and showing resilience on our path only teaches us more I mean, you don’t go to the gym and expect to not be sore The next day growth takes pain.
And actually, I found chiropractic school to be extremely grueling. You often are taking anywhere from 20 to 30 credit hours at a time so what that can look like each trimester so we do trimester you have 10 trimesters so it comes out to about 3 to 3rd year and then you do a preceptor program after that And yeah I mean I just found myself saying no to everything whenever I was in graduate school even though I found chiropractic school to be very doable for me because of my prior education anytime you’re taking 17 finals in one trimester. It’s going to be grueling.
However, once I graduated and obtained my license, I have felt like I am truly where I’m supposed to be finding my space for my practice was extremely easy. I basically just visualize and manifested the ideal space for me to be in and when the time came in my license was issued I called a landlord that day and he showed me what now is my practice so that was smooth sailing, and honestly made me realize that I was in the right profession and in the right space.
I really always try to put my faith in the universe, because it will provide, now thats hard to say when its a slow week, and youre just spinning your wheels on how to get people to walk through the door, but I really do believe that the universe will always provide.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
OK, so I own and am the doctor at what’s called Snook-Snow Chiro. We are what’s considered a boutique chiropractic practice in Brookside so we’re just right next-door to Brookside Wine and spirits on 63rd St (616 E 63rd St, Suite 105W,). I specialize in is making my patients feel special and making them feel like I care about their recovery and their struggle and their commitment to feeling better often times when patients seek out care, they go to a chiropractor and they may not be HEARD as far as what their struggles have been up until that point. A lot of times based on for whatever reason chiropractors can be quick to jump to conclusions and kind of give everybody a blanket care plan that applies to everybody very very cookie-cutter. You know everybody gets the same treatment. Everybody comes with the same amount of visits. Everybody just gets the same Treatment and you know while patients can see some results from that. It’s truly not personalized care
As chiropractors we are supposed to be the experts and giving personalized care so at my practice I take a little bit longer with patients, so I can really get down to the root of the problem.
My average appointment time for an adjustment is 15 minutes and my new patient exam is 45 minutes so at the new patient exam I really listen to them and what has been their struggles what you know have they gone through in the past that is brought them in front of me and how can I help them with that? You know? I am a great entry chiropractor for people who I’ve never been because I have certain ways that I can make people feel comfortable. I am also a great chiropractor for that person who is just seeking wellness care Also that person who is in acute pain 10 out of 10 you know having radiating symptoms or headaches migraines so I really pride myself and being able to individualize my care to every single person. I can treat everyone, and I really pride myself in being inclusive and for being sensitive to the needs of my patients, whatever that may be. And for being a major ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, like whatever I can do to help lift that community up and make them feel safe and heard is a priority.
However my care is not for everybody, if you are looking for the run of the mill 2 1/2 minute chiropractic appointment kind of like the mass retailer Style of chiropractic then I am not for you. I am for the person who likes to find unique find at a really cool boutique or who like travels out of town to do their shopping something more like that it’s it really is special. Just what Taylor Swift said like your energy is a luxury and you should really truly treat yourself like that. while I’m treating the muscular skeletal system. I’m also treating treating the nervous system so you know an emotional breakthrough is not uncommon under individualized care. This is a luxury boutique style treatment, where you can come in, and dedicate 15 mins to living your best life. (my average adjustments are 15 mins, but if they add on an ionic foot detox those are 30, so in total you could have a TRANSFORMATIVE 45 mins).
Something else thats really cool and fun about my practice, is the Ionic foot detox, people rave about how good they feel after!! Its basically charged water that travels up your meridians and pulls out toxins. you literally sit with your feet in water and watch the water change colors and have all sorts of stuff come out of the pores in your feet! I have been getting these done since my early 20s and Im still surprised by the stuff that comes out.
And so I really do give such a different experience and everything in my practice has been carefully thought out to the lamps to the rug to the color of my bathroom to the music playing, to the color and material of the chiropractic table I use.
I have various different options of ways that I can adjust people whether that’s you know low force type stuff I can do adjustments that involve no popping or cracking which some people don’t even know exist yeah so I just really love caring for people and I think that it comes through in my adjustments.
Also im totally obsessed with my practice, so I hope people read this and come in to see what im all about.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband, 100000%, I mean he literally let me quit my job, and go back to school, like over night. There was MONTHS and YEARS where I was unavailable for anything really outside of a nice dinner on the weekend, and I would spend hours and hours a day studying, and he still stuck with me LOL. I would get real in the zone of studying, where I would almost become non-verbal, like where I literally felt like I was losing my mind as I pour into hours of physics, or chemistry or anatomy (like literally name a hard science or math class, and I took it). but he would literally be there for me the second I needed him. hes truly the best, hes an inspiring and supportive guy. sometimes I wonder how I ended up so lucky, but I think it was just the universe providing for me, as it always does.
My cats– Namely my two guys who have since crossed rainbow bridge: Vinnie and Macaroni, they would lay with me or you know ON my laptop, on my notes, just making me laugh and being a source of entertainment when I was stressed, and emotional support. Not that I dont love all of my babies, but those were the two that were with my on my journey of BECOMING a chiropractor, my current emotional support cat who cuddles me when im stressed about business is named Jalapeno, Jallie for short, and shes the best!!
My friends were pretty good about me never being available for anything, and still not leaving me, which is cool. I mean I literally had years where I felt like a tree dweller, who would only emerge for the occasional birthday celebration.
my family has been pretty supportive too, same as with friends, they are pretty good at taking rejection when I couldn’t go do a bunch of stuff.
However in business, my network has really turned out for me, people really came out of the woodwork to support me in this endeavor, and its growing everyday, there are hard days and easy days, but you just gotta ride the wave and realize that it’ll all even out, and at some point in my career, ill look back and remember the slow days and miss them.
My patients are excellent at referring their friends and family, so alot of my success I owe to them as well.
and last but not least: Heidi Gardner, shes not only an incredible and supportive friend, but she recognizes her reach, and will always post about my business to help me build. shes truly one of those gems that realizes her influence and uses her powers for good, and im so grateful!
Pricing:
- New patient Exam (and adjustment): $135
- Pediatric New patient exam (0 months- 36 months): $165
- Established patient adjustment: $55
- Ionic Foot Detox: $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.snook-snowchiro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snooksnowchiro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572892686041
