1 – Q) Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business.
A) Austin Preferred Integrative Medicine is a multidisciplinary clinic located in Austin, Texas, offering a unique fusion of traditional and functional medicine, physical rehabilitation, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and advanced therapies. Our mission is to deliver personalized, results-driven care by integrating the best of both medical and holistic approaches. Whether treating chronic pain, acute pain, sports injuries, or helping patients regain mobility and energy, we focus on identifying root causes and delivering long-term wellness solutions.
2 – Q) Kindly give us a brief description about yourself.
A) Hi, I’m Dr. Jeffrey Fluitt, a Doctor of Chiropractic with over 23 years of experience in integrative and musculoskeletal medicine. As a proud 7th-generation Texan, born and raised here, I’ve always felt a strong connection to our community. I began my practice in 2001 and, in 2013, founded Austin Preferred Integrative Medicine with a vision to provide more comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. My passion lies in helping patients achieve lasting wellness—not just short-term relief.
3 – Q) What inspired you to start a new business venture or make changes in your business?
A) After years of seeing patients bounce between specialists without lasting solutions, I realized there had to be a better model—one that integrated the best tools from medicine, chiropractic, rehab, and cutting-edge therapies like Class IV laser, PRP, Shockwave, Peptides and neuropathy-focused modalities. Austin Preferred was born from that vision: to offer comprehensive care under one roof, with a personalized, functional medicine mindset that includes chiropractors, physical therapists, and medical providers.
4 – Q) What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A) 1. Build something you believe in. Your passion will carry you through the inevitable challenges.
2. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Teamwork and good hires are game-changers.
3. Stay adaptable. The ability to pivot your strategy quickly is often what keeps you in business.
5 – Q) What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A) 1. Leadership: Being able to inspire, guide, and hold a team accountable.
2. Problem-solving: Every day brings new challenges—adaptability is key.
3. Communication: Whether with patients, staff, or business partners, clarity and empathy matter.
6 – Q) How many hours do you work a day on average?
A) On average, I work 10–12 hours a day. As a clinic director, there’s always something needing attention—patient care, team management, or strategic planning.
7 – Q) To what do you most attribute your success?
A) I attribute my success to a relentless commitment to quality care and putting patients first. Word-of-mouth and professional referrals only come when people truly trust the outcomes you deliver.
8 – Q) How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A) Our most successful marketing comes from patient and professional referrals. That said, we also use a blend of local SEO, educational content, and community outreach to establish trust and visibility. Results speak louder than ads.
9 – Q) Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from?
A) The business was initially self-funded, supplemented later through reinvested profits. We’ve remained debt-conscious, prioritizing sustainable growth and investing in high-return technologies and training.
10 – Q) What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A) Focus on solving real problems for your clients or patients and continuously evolve. Businesses that don’t innovate fall behind. Also, take care of your team—they’re your most valuable asset.
11 – Q) Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
A) We plan to expand our clinic footprint and introduce new technology-based protocols in regenerative medicine and neurology. Personally, I see myself mentoring other practitioners and expanding our model to other cities.
12 – Q) Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A) I admire Mayo Clinic for their commitment to multidisciplinary care and evidence-based practice. Their model demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation in healthcare.
13 – Q) How important have good employees been to your success?
A) They’ve been absolutely critical. A business is only as strong as the people behind it. I’ve been fortunate to build a team of compassionate, skilled professionals who believe in our mission. Their dedication makes all the difference in patient outcomes and day-to-day operations.
14 – Q) How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
A) I don’t give up easily. I believe in testing ideas thoroughly, tweaking them as needed, and giving them room to evolve. If something aligns with our mission and has potential impact, I’ll stay with it as long as it takes—or until it becomes clear there’s a better alternative.
15 – Q) What motivates you?
A) Helping patients regain their quality of life is incredibly rewarding. When someone walks into the clinic in pain and walks out with hope—or after weeks of care, no longer needs pain meds—that’s the kind of impact that motivates me daily.
16 – Q) What are your ideals?
A) Integrity, service, and innovation. I believe in doing what’s right for the patient, standing by your word, and always pushing to be better—both clinically and personally.
17 – Q) How do you generate new ideas?
A) Most of my best ideas come from listening—to patients, team members, and colleagues in the industry. I also stay current with research, attend clinical seminars, and constantly assess how new technology could integrate into what we do.
18 – Q) How do you define success?
A) Success is building something meaningful that positively impacts people’s lives—and doing so with balance, values, and long-term sustainability.
19 – Q) How do you build a successful customer base?
A) By earning trust. That means delivering consistent results, communicating clearly, and genuinely caring. When patients feel heard and get real outcomes, they become your biggest advocates.
20 – Q) What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
A) The freedom to create. I love being able to develop new programs, test new protocols, and make decisions that directly impact patient care and staff growth.
21 – Q) What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A) Opening the doors to Austin Preferred and seeing patients finally get relief after years of frustration. That moment when I realized, “We’re truly helping people who thought they were out of options”.
22 – Q) What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
A) Entrepreneurs embrace risk and uncertainty. We have to be both visionary and execution-driven. It’s not better or worse—it’s just a different mindset. You’re accountable for everything.
23 – Q) What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish it?
A) Our culture is one of collaboration, integrity, and patient-centered care. We established it by being intentional—hiring people who fit our values, holding regular team meetings, and making sure every staff member knows their role matters.
24 – Q) In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
A) Purposeful.
25 – Q) If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
A) I might have embraced integrative care even earlier. It took time to see the gaps in conventional models. If I knew then what I know now, I would’ve brought medical, chiropractic, and rehab disciplines together much sooner.
26 – Q) How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
A) It’s been a balancing act. Early on, I worked long hours and sacrificed time. Over the years, I’ve learned to prioritize family while still growing the business. It’s all about setting boundaries and being present when you’re home.
27 – Q) What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage it?
A) Complacency. I fear becoming stagnant or missing an opportunity to improve care. I manage it by always learning and keeping people around me who challenge me.
28 – Q) How did you decide on the location for your business?
A) Austin is a vibrant, growing city with a health-conscious population. It made sense demographically, but it also felt like home. We’re centrally located, accessible, and close to medical partners and referring professionals.
29 – Q) Do you believe there’s a formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur?
A) There’s no one-size-fits-all, but a strong mix of purpose, persistence, and adaptability goes a long way. Be willing to work hard, learn fast, and serve others well.
30 – Q) If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
A) Probably Thomas Edison. His perseverance and inventive mind revolutionized the world—and he wasn’t afraid to fail along the way. That resilience is inspiring.
31 – Q) Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A) My father. He taught me the value of hard work, doing things the right way, and always treating people with respect. Those lessons have served me well in business and in life.
32 – Q) What book has inspired you the most?
A) Start With Why by Simon Sinek. It helped clarify the importance of leading with purpose and communicating that vision to your team and customers.
33 – Q) What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
A) Early on, I tried to do everything myself. Delegating was difficult, but necessary. I also waited too long to invest in certain technologies that could’ve elevated our outcomes sooner.
34 – Q) How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
A) Build a culture of accountability and open communication. Mistakes will happen—how you respond is what matters. We assess, learn, and move forward.
35 – Q) What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
A) I enjoy spending time with family, staying active outdoors, reading, and traveling. These outlets help recharge my energy and keep things in perspective.
36 – Q) What makes you happy?
A) Seeing people thrive—whether that’s a patient who gets their life back or a staff member who grows into a leadership role. Helping others grow makes the grind worthwhile.
37 – Q) What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
A) Time, mostly. There were holidays missed, late nights, and the mental weight of building something from the ground up. But the long-term payoff is worth it when you believe in the mission.
38 – Q) If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
A) I’d ask: “What’s one thing you wish more people understood about your field or industry?” Because that question reveals a lot about your purpose, frustrations, and how you want to change the game.