AL UM N I F EAT U RE
Logan Grad Is First to Open Chiropractic Clinics in Walmart Stores Across U.S. Janelle Farris, DC (‘06) was raised in a business-minded family. Over time, she’s adopted the same entrepreneurial mindset, always looking for ways to start her own business and be her own boss. Over a year ago, after moving to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the idea for her latest business venture sprouted: Open chiropractic clinics within Walmart stores across the country. “I went into a Walmart in Murfreesboro and saw an open lease space inside the store and thought about how perfect a location it would be for a chiropractic clinic,” Dr. Farris said. “I called the phone number listed on the sign, but it was out of service.” Determined to succeed, she didn’t let that stop her. “I started calling every distributor I could think of who sold their products at Walmart. I got bounced around a lot but eventually was put in contact with a businessman who opened veterinary clinics inside
Walmart locations around the country,” said Dr. Farris. “He was a huge help, and I ended up getting in contact with Walmart’s health and wellness department.” Dr. Farris pitched her business plan to Walmart’s team, but they passed on the opportunity. She was disappointed but not discouraged. Instead, she started brainstorming ways she could get a second chance to present her ideas. “I went to the closest Walmart to my house, told the manager my situation and asked if I could work as a janitor at his
Dr. Janelle Farris opened her first chiropractic clinic, the BACKSPACE, within Walmart in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and has plans to open 10 more locations in the next year. 16 FALL 2021 • LOGAN UNIVERSITY
store,” Dr. Farris said. “He agreed, and I started cleaning Walmart.” Then, as an official employee, she reached back out to Walmart’s corporate leasing office with her employee identification number and asked for a second chance. Walmart agreed, and Dr. Farris pitched her presentation again. This time, she got a yes. The home location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee—called “the BACKSPACE”—is up and running, and Dr. Farris is determined to keep growing. She’s thankful for her partners at IMAC Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMAC). The partnership will launch 10 the BACKSPACE locations this year and can be found online at Back.co. “Two of the locations I’m most excited about are in Florida, near Disney World, and in Chesterfield, Missouri, down the street from Logan’s main campus,” said Dr. Farris. “I really want the Chesterfield location to be a teaching clinic for Logan to utilize and train students. I learned so much from my professors and experiences at Logan, and I want other students to have access to the same great learning opportunities that I did.” For this reason, Dr. Farris said her goal is to spend time with every doctor she hires at each location. “This project is so important to me, and I want to make sure we’re hiring people who will serve our patients to the absolute best of their ability,” said Dr. Farris. “I’m so excited to see how much this will grow!”
