a perfect partnership
Story by Audrey Hanes; photo by Amy Long

Together, Jeremy and Brittany McKelroy have done what most couples in America can only dream of doing; not only do they each own and operate their own successful business, they both absolutely love what they do. Jeremy, who owns a local chiropractic practice called Back in Action, and Brittany, who recently set out on her own to open b. marie salon, have each found a way to balance the demands of business ownership with raising a family, and they don’t intend to slow down any time soon.

Although running two businesses has proved to be challenging, the couple says the fact that they are both self-employed definitely has its perks.
“We can have very flexible schedules and enjoy lots of family time together,” said Brittany. “Our careers allow us to travel together to fun places for work seminars. We both do jobs that we really love, and God has blessed us with great co-workers and clients.”

Brittany ventured into the world of business ownership more recently than her husband, and she says it is a step she has been prepared to take for a long time. When b. marie salon opened in July 2011, Brittany accomplished something that she had been dreaming about since she first started working in a salon when she was 16 years old.

“I have always dreamt about how I would run my own shop, what the decor would look like (and) what the name would be,” she said. “I guess you could say I dreamed it into existence.”

Brittany and the four other stylists at b. marie salon will be joined by an additional stylist in the spring, and Brittany couldn’t be more pleased with her job or the women she works with.

“I am blessed with a great group of girls; we love being together,” she said. “I love the smile that my work brings to other people, whether it’s a satisfied client or one of my girls learning something new from me. I love when I make other people feel great about themselves. I love that the only limits in my career are the ones I put on myself.”

The salon, located in Suite F at 2704 Alexander Drive, enjoyed a successful launch and gets busier each day. From the original salon-inspired artwork that Brittany made for the walls to the stylists’ friendly banter with their clients, it’s evident that Brittany and her staff have worked hard to make the salon stand out.

“Things are fantastic,” said Brittany. “We couldn’t be happier with the support we have received so far. We are so fortunate to have so many faithful clients and friends that keep recommending their friends.”

Although Brittany and Jeremy find that it’s often difficult to coordinate their busy work schedules and many responsibilities, they are proud to own and operate their own businesses in the city they love. They have been married for almost five years, and they wouldn’t want to work or raise their two daughters, 4-year-old Maggie and 1-year-old Ava, anywhere else.

“Growing up in this area and Jonesboro being my hometown, there was no question I wanted to serve my community,” said Jeremy, who earned a bachelor’s degree at Arkansas State University before going on to earn his doctor of chiropractic degree at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas. “Not only do I get to help people from all over Northeast Arkansas, I am privileged to serve as the ASU Chiropractor, helping many young athletes perform to the best of their abilities.”

Jeremy originally opened an office called McKelroy Family Chiropractic, but renamed his practice Back In Action in 2006 after teaming up with seven other chiropractors as a way to collaborate on the most current and effective forms of treatments. He says that what he most enjoys about being a chiropractor and owning his own practice is that he is able to help others lead pain-free lives.
Back in Action, located at 250 Southwest Drive, focuses on patients’ overall health and wellness. The office specializes in chiropractic adjustments using many different techniques, as well as spinal decompression for both the lumber and cervical spine.

Jeremy is also proud of the Max Pulse Screenings that the office can now provide to patients. The high-tech machine, which the office acquired in the fall of 2011, can monitor the before and after effects of a patient’s diet and lifestyle change and can identify and monitor patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular illnesses.

For more information about b. marie salon, visit the salon’s Facebook page or call 933-6792. For more information about Back in Action of Jonesboro, call 802-WELL(9355).