The Drip Bar: Nutritional IV Cocktails

The history

For a few years I had been working with my spouse, James Talley, DC to help other clinics learn about and implement IV Therapy into their Chiropractic Clinics. I wondered, "Why don't we use our manuals, knowledge, and experience and open a satellite clinic, start to finish?"

The beginning

James is exceptional with helping my vision come to life, and the space I found was going to need him. The space used to be an Herbalife drink bar. It was in a historic building in the middle of downtown. The businesses in the immediate area were mid-high end with nice boutiques, a steak house & sushi bar, amid the beauty salons. I lucked into a lower rent small space, perfect for my budget, $10,000.

We had to

paint,
put in a new handwash sink
new bathroom sink
deconstruct the existing bar

I enlisted my daughter Katy to use her Cricut to make vinyl lettering on the glass and "Drip your vitamins" - The Drip Bar: Nutritional IV Cocktails, LLC's official tagline.

The vibe

During the two months it took to get the location ready for my open date, I carried a paint swatch with my concept colors just in case I see something I wanted for the 'Bar. (The program includes a list of everything I purchased for the 'Bar & where I ordered from - completely turn-key.) From chairs and IV poles to aesthetics and patient comforts, I wanted the 'perfect vibe'. Whether is was or not, is subjective.

The Changes

There is no perfect place with the perfect vibe and you could drive yourself to drink. Should I add this, that, do this, that - you'll never open. Join the clubs, meet your neighbors, hand out cards, brochures, and set yourself apart. I did a couple of IVs for family to test out my set-up. The carpet runner I thought was so 'perfect' didn't work well with rolling stools. The towel shelf was inconvenient. It isn't always how you see it, plan it, or want it. You have to PRACTICE with confidence.

Change was ALWAYS happening. I moved the fridge, I moved the make station. I moved the printer. The practical application is everything.

The Reveal

The Drip Bar: Nutritional IV Cocktails, LLC was ready. The 65 days - mostly weekends and after 5pm - was a whirlwind. I honestly loved every minute of it. I hung 12ft. long linen curtains I made by myself, I created and painted a light bar over the counter out of PVC painted to look like old, beaten metal to match my 'vibe'. Hung Edison bulbs, painted shelves, made a sitting bench from leftover wood, assembled lamps, hung lights, obsessed about my large window... I LOVED The 'Bar.

The Opening

The 'Bar, of course, did the fancy opening with The Chamber. I enjoyed hearing how nice the space looked, how interesting the concept was, how the food was so delicious. My daughter, Emma, who was our phlebotomist, made a charcuterie of fruits with our logo in blueberries. Croissant chicken salad sandwiches, tasty treats, etc. I had lemonade, tea in a beautiful dispenser, I spent a lot of time and money. I wanted to really impress the Chamber members. I was expecting business from them and connections.

Only one person came in for services. She got a Lipo Injection.

Do not sweat the small stuff.

The Drip Bar: Nutritional IV Cocktails, 2022-Now

The Business

The day-to-day operation of The 'Bar was 'Follow the plan". We used the Policy & Procedure in the book to do everything. It was how we planned it. And guess what? It worked. It was smooth and easy from Opening Procedures to Closing Procedures, We made one or two small edits a day at first, but after those hiccups and corrections, we were on auto-pilot.

The costs

I kept to my $10,000 opening budget. From nutraceuticals, IV lines, First Aid kits, and printer ink, on opening day I had about $2,500 left of my budget. I had paying patients on day one. I was offering Lipo Injections for $25. They are the easiest to sell, work great when administered correctly, and patients do love them. I upped the ante with brochures about Lipo Injections I use for patients to give to others giving them a credit & the new patient a special price. They work exceptionally well. (These brochures and marketing techniques are included in the program.)

The 'Bar was solvent, turning a profit, going mobile with our Mobile Program, we were enjoying the buzz. We really were enjoying the relationships we were making. When you have a warm, cozy place, offer a great service at a great price, you get a lot of return patients. One of ours was an executive at the casino and asked us to come for a 2-day employee health fair. Only one of each type of healthcare business was invited. A big feather in our hat. We had been invited to give IVs or injections to visiting artists and the WSOP players LOVED our energy-rich pushes, but this was for the largest employer around. It was a big deal.

The End

The employee health fair was a big win. The casino even gave us a room in the hotel for a night. I went upstairs to take a nap because it had been a long day and I had vibrated really high all day, so happy. I was not able to sleep in that luxurious room;