TANDEM Orthotics and Prosthetics

All her life, Lisa Schoonmaker has had a knack for making things work. As a child, she loved to build models and study the inner workings of various machines. Today, as a certified prosthetist/orthotist, she's combining her mechanical aptitude and interest in medicine to help amputees and people with back and ankle problems lead more normal, productive lives.

But finding the best way to use her skills required a little tinkering. After receiving her certification in prosthetics and orthotics, she worked for a large health organization as a prosthetics practitioner, then moved to a company that manufactured prosthetic parts. Though Lisa enjoyed the opportunity to do cutting edge research and development, she still felt unfulfilled. "Working with patients has always been one the most rewarding aspects of my profession," she says. "I wanted to use my education and experience to make patient care my primary focus."

Lisa's hometown of St. Cloud, MN, offered the opportunity to make that plan work. The community's population was growing in numbers and age, and the only existing orthotics and prosthetics business was being overwhelmed with patients. With waits of three to four weeks for an appointment not uncommon, the community could easily support another prosthetics service, Lisa felt.

Having no background in business, Lisa attended a one-day seminar for prospective entrepreneurs sponsored by the local Small Business Development Center. It was there that she learned about SCORE and its wide range of resources and counseling services. Lisa soon began working with Dr. Crumpton Farrell, a former business professor at St. Cloud State University. She says Farrell was an "expert" in developing a winning business plan. "None of the software or books covered my type of business," Lisa says. "Dr. Farrell helped refine my preliminary plan and make it more realistic and applicable to what I wanted to do. He also advised me on what should and should not go into a business plan."

Lisa also received help from Counselor Dawn Jensen-Regnier, who helped identify various financial options and marketing opportunities. She put Schoonmaker in contact with a variety of valuable sources, such as the Initiative Foundation, a state-supported organization that provides supplemental financing, and the Forum of Executive Women.

After visiting four banks, Lisa was able to secure the business loan she needed to open Tandem Orthotics and Prosthetics. Since welcoming her first patients in July 1998, Tandem's growth has met all of Lisa's target milestones. Her staff includes a talented prosthetics builder who helps Lisa craft the artificial limbs, orthopedic back braces and supports for patients of all ages and needs. Tandem's success has also had an important side benefit. The process of gaining credibility with insurance companies—so critical for any successful medical service—has gone more smoothly than Lisa had hoped.

Thanks to input from her SCORE counselors, Lisa has more than just a growing number of satisfied patients to help spread the word about Tandem Prosthetics and Orthotics. Her company has its own Web site and was recently featured prominently in the St. Cloud Times. She's also marketing Tandem with a series of small get-acquainted luncheons and training sessions for the area's doctors and physical therapists. And because Lisa also hopes to stay abreast with prosthetics research by undertaking her own study, Farrell helped her locate grant writers and funding opportunities.

"SCORE is not just for business and marketing needs," Lisa says. "They can help you with every aspect of running a business. It's nice to know that they can put you in touch with so many different resources."

Brought to you by SCORE, America's small business mentors, at www.score.org.
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