THE enjoyment of science subjects at school has led the sons of a banker and a draftswoman into business in naturopathy.
THE enjoyment of science subjects at school has led the sons of a banker and a draftswoman into business in naturopathy.
Paul and Daniel Habekost both enjoyed studying science at school. Paul’s fascination with human biology led him into a remedial therapies college and onto post-graduate studies in clinical acupuncture.
Work as a naturopath in health food stores and in pharmacies, and a few months in a monastery in northern Thailand, convinced him he wanted to go into the natural therapies business.
A suburban house purchased five years ago by an astute father, who had an inkling it may be needed for such a venture, answered the question of location and premises.
But a full year of 40-60 hour weeks of scraping, sanding, flooring, painting and paving the place into appropriate shape, cemented the will to make it work.
In the meantime, Paul did not cease his intellectual learning, starting studies in Mandarin.
Business partner and brother Daniel has not forsaken his other interests either, last year achieving a top 2.5 per cent tertiary ranking after studying four maths and science TEE courses required for his recent enrolment in Mechtronics Engineering at the University of Western Australia.
Daniel, too, ensured he left nothing to chance as he made the decision regarding his business future.
He worked full-time preparing the Dianella clinic for its late-2001 opening, following his three years at natural therapies college, extra study in homeopathy, naturopathic work in health food stores and pharmacies, and a year travelling Australia as an Ansett flight attendant.
The Dianella clinic has its own dispensary, iridology equipment, massage benches and yoga and meditation space, but the brothers have identified additional client needs.
Most are in need of information, so a newsletter to broadcast community lectures on topics including energy-related issues, arthritis, weight loss, menopause and hormone replacement therapy is one additional service not too far away.
The brothers also hope their clinic will help broaden and progress the applications of natural therapies.
Daniel believes homeopathy’s emotional, mental and behavioural approach will be useful in helping those dealing with autism in them-selves or others.
He has commenced further study into autism through on-the-job training and workshops, with the view of adding a specialty focus to the clinic.
The brothers also hope to obtain a digital iriscope and, with permission from various societies, to offer free iridology services to patients.
They plan to analyse the data
gathered to add to research into conditions and diseases such as multiple sclerosis and even some cancers.
The brothers’ overall business aim is to offer mental, physical and emotional health and educational services, to assist clients.
Marketing has been simple – the Yellow Pages, and an illuminated sign on the premises’ busy suburban location.
Paul also has regular radio spots on two local independent stations.
Paul and Daniel say they will judge their success by the level of word-of-mouth referrals – one measure with which they are already happy – and success with clients.
“We just want enough income to manage the business and also be able to do more research,” Paul says.
“And clients want good practitioners – they want to get rid of the problem.”
Paul defines naturopathy as the application of appropriate treatment from a cause-based understanding of physical conditions.
Daniel says homeopathy is the appropriate treatment of the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of conditions, with a minimum of remedies matching the physical make-up and personality of individual clients.
