Jennifer Fritschy Seine

I attribute my success to persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning. Very early in my life, I learned not to automatically accept someone else’s predictions about what was possible for me, and that experience shaped the way I approach both my own life and my work with patients. I believe we have to remain curious about our health and willing to explore possibilities. There is not always one right answer, and some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we are willing to look at the whole picture.

I also believe that success comes from truly caring about the people you serve. Building Indigo Dragon Center into a thriving practice over nearly 19 years has required resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to creating an exceptional experience for every person who walks through the door. I have learned that building a successful practice is not just about being clinically skilled; it also requires personal development, business knowledge, the ability to surround yourself with the right people, and a willingness to continue evolving.

Most importantly, I have tried to maintain a clear North Star. There have been challenges and unexpected turns, but having a strong sense of why I do this work has helped me navigate them. My purpose has always been bigger than a particular treatment or technique—it is about helping people feel empowered in their own bodies and lives.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is to build your support team. None of us is meant to do everything alone. Whether that means finding mentors, colleagues, practitioners, friends, family, or other people who believe in your vision, having people around you who can offer perspective and encouragement makes an enormous difference.

I would also encourage people not to be afraid to challenge the norms, but to do so thoughtfully. Ask questions, look at the evidence, listen to your intuition, and remain willing to consider another perspective. My own journey in healthcare began because I questioned what I was told about my recovery, and that experience taught me that there can be tremendous value in advocating for yourself.

For anyone building a career, I would also emphasize working on yourself while building your business. Find a mentor early, develop your personal and professional skills, and understand that clinical knowledge alone is not always enough to create a sustainable career. You also need to learn how to communicate, lead, serve your clients well, and build a financially healthy practice. Your personal development is an important part of your professional development.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to find a mentor immediately and never be afraid to ask questions. Build a strong support system and develop yourself as intentionally as you develop your career.

Stay curious, challenge outdated assumptions, and never lose sight of your North Star. Be willing to question what you are told, thoughtfully consider different perspectives, and advocate for yourself while remaining open to learning.

I would also encourage the next generation to recognize that a profession can become much more than a job when you understand the deeper reason behind the work you are doing. Continue developing your communication, leadership, business, and interpersonal skills alongside your technical or clinical expertise. Your growth as a person is an essential part of your growth as a professional.

One of the greatest challenges in acupuncture and integrative wellness is creating sustainable practices that allow talented practitioners to remain in the field long-term. Building a successful and sustainable practice requires much more than clinical expertise; practitioners must also develop strong business, communication, leadership, and client-service skills.

At the same time, there is an extraordinary opportunity as more people recognize the value of combining conventional healthcare with complementary approaches and taking a more active role in their health. I see increasing potential for practitioners who can bridge different approaches to wellness while remaining compassionate, knowledgeable, evidence-informed, and focused on educating and empowering their patients.

I believe the future belongs to practitioners who can bring together knowledge, compassion, evidence-informed care, education, and empowerment rather than simply focusing on treating symptoms. The opportunity is to create a more collaborative and whole-person approach to health and wellness.

Integrity, compassion, curiosity, and empowerment are at the heart of everything I do. I want people to feel respected, heard, and confident enough to take ownership of their health and their lives.

Personally and professionally, I believe in continuing to learn and staying open to possibility. I believe that people should be active participants in their own health rather than simply accepting limitations or assumptions about what is possible for them.

Above all, I value helping others recognize their own capacity for growth. The transition points in life—the spaces in-between—can become some of our greatest opportunities for learning, transformation, and personal growth.