Thinking about bringing on a chiropractic associate?

This episode explains how to structure an associate agreement, choose between employee or contractor models, and grow your chiropractic practice without the common mistakes.

Growing a practice with associates can be the most exciting form of leverage in chiropractic, or the fastest path to frustration and heartbreak.

Greg and Nimrod unpack the “wonderful and messy” reality of associate practice growth: why principals want associates, why it often goes wrong, and the structures that make it work (for the principal, the associate, the team, and the people in the practice).

You’ll hear practical distinctions between renter vs employee vs contractor, why undeclared expectations become resentments, and the 4 archetypal practice structures (from tribal to corporate to wayshower to co-opetition/manifesting). They also explore a more mature definition of scaling: not only more locations and volume, but qualitative scale through better care, better culture, and stronger clinicians.

00:00 Growing a Chiropractic Practice with Associates  

01:22 Why Hire a Chiropractic Associate?  

02:26 Associate Practice Heartbreak and Common Mistakes  

06:17 Clarifying Your Reason for Bringing on an Associate  

08:16 The Time and Money Myth in Associate Practices  

09:17 The Hidden Complexity of Hiring an Associate  

10:18 Relationship vs Transaction in Associate Agreements  

17:17 Types of Chiropractic Associate Structures Explained  

23:00 Setting Clear Expectations with an Associate  

25:00 Contractor vs Employee Chiropractor (Legal Risks)  

28:16 Undeclared Expectations in Associate Relationships  

30:12 Employee vs Contractor: Key Differences for Principals  

33:59 4 Chiropractic Practice Models (Tribal to Corporate)  

38:24 Why Structure and Systems Matter in Associate Practices  

45:19 Choosing the Right Associate Practice Model  

47:02 How to Vet a Chiropractic Associate Properly  

48:26 How to Scale a Chiropractic Practice with Associates  

55:10 When an Associate Leaving Is Still a Win  

01:01:04 3 Steps to Build a Successful Associate Practice  

01:03:29 Associate Practice Resources and Coaching