Mundelein company focuses on natural healing
An interview with Mark Sheffer, the main practitioner at Sheffer Associates. His wife, Patricia, owns the business.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: I help people overcome and excel. We use a natural form of self healing that works. We help kids of all ages overcome attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and other forms of learning disorders. We help others overcome depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional issues. We help people eliminate allergic reactions to dogs, cats, dust, peanut butter and just about anything that is not toxic.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: One of our children had severe allergies and asthma that traditional methods could not overcome. We opened our minds to alternatives. I found someone who helped my child get rid of the allergies and helped my other child overcome ADD and to someone else that helped my child overcome asthma. The changes for them were so wonderful, empowering and life changing, we decided I should learn how to do it to. I learned the methods from the experts, and had such great results helping others that we decided to make it our business.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: The biggest obstacle for us is that our methods are new and relatively unknown in our area. They are much more known and accepted in other parts of our country and abroad. The results are obvious and tangible, but we do have to convince people to take a look and give it a try. We offer free consultations. Our methods are noninvasive, drug free and do not require diet or exercise. So many methods exist that require drugs, manipulation, surgery, diets or exercise, many people think they are necessary. We do not get involved with drugs at all and most insurance companies do not cover our services.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: I enjoy most the joy of the people we help when they realize the changes they can make using our methods and guidance. We use the innate capability built in to all of us to facilitate change, healing and improvement.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: As a kid, I wanted to be a Chicago Cub baseball player, and then later found I really enjoyed coaching. I always loved learning in and out of school and helping others learn. I have coached kids in soccer for the past dozen years or so. My current work is a form of coaching but with a lot of science, learning and other things mixed in.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: My family’s new puppy is the main thing that keeps me up at night now. Before I found these self healing methods, my wife and I would be up worrying about our kids allergies, asthma and ADD issues and how they were limiting their lives.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Be patient, persistent and pleasant as much as possible. I was fortunate to have some people warn me that a new business takes time to grow. It is easy to expect too much too fast. Stay positive, and ask pleasantly for opportunities to serve and show your value.
Ÿ Every Monday we feature a small suburban business. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
<B>Address:</B> 631 Lexington Court, Mundelein
<B>Owner:</B> Patricia Sheffer
<B>Year business started:</B> 2009
<B>Website:</B> shefferassociates.com
<B>Facebook page:</B> www.facebook.com/shefferassociates
<B>LinkedIn info on Mark Sheffer:</B> www.linkedin.com/in/marksheffer