The TCM Teach Podcast

Matthew Sabey Smith
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

The TCM Teach Podcast is designed specifically to help acupuncturists and chinese medicine herbalists to build thriving, sustainable businesses. The TCM Teach is created and hosted by practitioner, professor and business entrepreneur Matthew Sabey Smith, DACM, MSOM, Dipl.Ac., LAc. Thank for listening!

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 50: How to Prescribe Safely While Running a Business

    The TCM Teach Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary This episode explores how acupuncturists and herbalists can grow their practices safely and ethically, focusing on prescribing herbs, managing legal scope, and maintaining patient safety while expanding business opportunities.   Key  topics Prescribing safely while running a business Maintaining scope of practice and legal compliance Interaction screening and patient safety Documentation and record keeping for liability protection Building referral networks and collaborative care Managing herbal product quality and liability Avoiding financial motivation in clinical decisions Creating safety checklists and workflows Expanding product lines within legal boundaries   Sound  bites   "Safety protects both your reputation and your business" "Always ask about current medications and supplements" "Document interaction screening for patient safety"   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to safe herbal practice and business growth 02:00 Why safety and business growth are aligned 03:22 Importance of scope of practice and legal compliance 05:18 Understanding insurance coverage for herbal products 09:03 Checking for drug interactions and screening systems 14:43 Documentation and record keeping for safety and liability 17:37 Avoiding financial motivation and upselling ethically 21:21 Building referral networks and collaborative relationships 22:29 Creating safety habits and workflows for practice safety 23:29 Resources for ongoing education and practice improvement

  2. Oct 6

    Episode 49: Partnering with Suppliers & Choosing Quality Herbs

    The TCM Teach Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary   This episode explores the importance of building strong, trustworthy relationships with herbal suppliers for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine herbalists. It covers sourcing transparency, quality assurance, and practical steps to ensure reliable herbal supply chains. Key  topics   The importance of supplier relationships in herbal practice How to evaluate herbal sourcing transparency GMP certification and third-party testing for herbs Domestic vs international herbal suppliers Building long-term supplier partnerships Diversifying herbal sources to prevent disruptions Negotiating terms and pricing with suppliers Sound bites   "Transparency is everything when it comes to herbal sourcing." "Always ask for certificates of analysis to verify quality." "Diversify your suppliers to avoid disruptions and risks." Chapters   00:00 Introduction to the importance of supplier relationships 01:48 What makes a good herbal supplier? 03:58 The role of transparency and GMP certification 06:08 Third-party testing and quality assurance 08:01 Domestic vs international suppliers: pros and cons 09:55 Building strong, long-term supplier relationships 11:57 Diversifying your herbal supply chain 14:01 Negotiating with suppliers and reviewing terms 16:12 Next steps for practitioners to improve sourcing

  3. Sep 30

    Episode 48: Marketing Herbs Without Making Illegal Claims

    The TCM Teach Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary   This episode explores how herbal practitioners can navigate the complex landscape of marketing herbs legally and ethically. It covers the differences between structure-function claims and disease claims, and offers practical tips to stay compliant while promoting your practice. Key  topics   Differences between structure-function and disease claims Legal risks of making unapproved claims How to craft compliant marketing language The importance of regular review of marketing materials Building a compliant testimonial strategy Takeaways   Always avoid making disease treatment or cure claims. Use supportive language like 'supports healthy digestion' instead of 'cures' or 'treats'. Regularly review your marketing content for compliance. Consult an attorney for legal questions about claims. Maintain consistency in your messaging to stay compliant. Sound bites   "Compliant marketing is about fitting into a legal way to explain things" "Avoid saying you cure or treat specific conditions" "A great testimonial builds trust through authenticity" Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Herbal Marketing and Legal Boundaries 01:53 Understanding FDA and FTC Regulations 04:11 Difference Between Structure-Function and Disease Claims 06:56 Common Illegal Claims Practitioners Make 10:09 How to Phrase Claims Safely 13:08 Building a Compliance Review Habit 16:01 Next Steps for Legal Marketing Practices 18:10 Resources and Final Tips

  4. Sep 22

    Episode 47: Building Herbal Protocol Packages for Specific Conditions

    The TCM Teach Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary   In this episode, Matt shares how to create effective herbal protocol packages that streamline treatment, enhance patient compliance, and reflect your expertise. Learn how to structure, price, and communicate these packages to grow your practice and serve clients better. Key  topics   Building repeatable herbal protocols Structuring treatment packages Pricing and marketing strategies Patient communication and compliance Phases and timelines for protocols Customizing protocols based on environment Educational materials and follow-ups Ethical marketing and legal considerations Sound bites   "Turn patterns into structured, repeatable offerings" "Herbal protocols should be clear and educational" "Market your protocol's value, not just herbs" Chapters   00:00 Introduction to herbal protocol packages 02:01 What is a protocol package and why use it 04:51 Choosing conditions to build protocols around 07:10 Components of a protocol package 09:08 Structuring timelines and phases 11:05 Pricing and packaging strategies 13:04 Communicating protocols to patients 15:03 Stacking and marketing your packages 16:49 Documentation and repeatability 19:02 Next steps for implementation

  5. Sep 15

    Episode 46: Online Herbal Stores, How To Get Started

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary This episode explores how acupuncturists and herbalists can expand their practice by selling herbal products online legally and effectively. It covers legal considerations, platform options, product selection, and building trust with customers. Key  Topics Legal considerations for online herbal sales Platform options for e-commerce Product selection and liability Building trust and education online Marketing and launching your store Sound Bites "Taking your herbal practice online can extend your reach and revenue" "Always consult with a legal team before selling across state lines" "Be aware of sales tax obligations in multiple states" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to online herbal sales and practice expansion 02:24 Why take your herbal products online? 04:52 Legal and licensing considerations across states 07:35 Passive income and client retention through online sales 11:02 Scope of practice and product liability issues 16:29 FDA and labeling regulations for dietary supplements 17:58 Sales tax nexus and compliance in multiple states 20:55 Choosing the right e-commerce platform 23:44 Deciding what products to sell online 28:43 Building trust with online customers 34:05 Marketing strategies for your online store 36:36 Next steps and legal review before launch

  6. Sep 8

    Episode 45: Managing Inventory Without Wasting Money

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach Summary This episode provides practical strategies for managing inventory effectively in herbal medicine and dispensary businesses. It covers how to optimize storage, reduce waste, and streamline operations to improve profitability and patient satisfaction.   Key  Topics  Importance of inventory management in herbal medicine Strategies for estimating and tracking usage Storage best practices and organization Digital tools for inventory tracking Waste reduction techniques and FIFO approach Staff training and delegation for inventory tasks Adjusting practices based on usage data  Sound bites "Proper inventory management improves workflow and reduces stress" "Estimate your weekly or monthly usage for each item" "Avoid overpurchasing to prevent waste and loss" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inventory Management in Herbal Business 01:56 Why Proper Inventory Management Matters 03:20 Understanding Your Inventory Needs 05:10 Storage and Organization Best Practices 07:08 Reducing Waste and Managing Expiry 09:06 Budgeting and Cost Control Strategies 11:13 Staff Workflow and Delegation 13:07 Implementing an Effective Inventory System 14:07 Actionable Steps to Reduce Waste 14:55 Conclusion and Next Steps

  7. Sep 1

    Episode 44: How To Price Herbal Formulas for Profit

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary   In this episode, Matt shares comprehensive strategies for herbal formula pricing, emphasizing value, costs, and perceived worth to build a sustainable and profitable clinic. Key  topics   Pricing communicates value and trust Cost components of herbal formulas Pricing models: cost-plus, value-based, tiered, bundled Importance of transparency and storytelling in pricing Common mistakes: underpricing, overpricing, inconsistency Strategies to optimize profit without sacrificing care Sound bites   "Pricing communicates value and trust." "Be transparent about what goes into your formulas." "Always explain why your formulas are priced the way they are." Chapters   00:00 Introduction to herbal formula pricing importance 02:00 Why pricing reflects value and trust 03:00 Legal considerations and patient safety 03:56 Cost components: herbs, preparation, overhead 05:52 Calculating direct costs and custom formulas 07:47 Packaging, storage, and space considerations 10:14 Overhead costs and profit margins 12:07 Pricing models: cost-plus, value, tiered, bundled 14:58 Communicating pricing and perceived value 17:52 Avoiding common pricing mistakes 22:09 Strategies to optimize profit and patient engagement 32:59 Next steps for implementing effective pricing

  8. Aug 25

    Episode 43: Setting Up an Herbal Dispensary in Your Practice

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theTCMTeach   Summary   In this episode, Matthew Sabi Smith shares a comprehensive guide on setting up and managing an herbal dispensary within a Chinese medicine practice. He covers everything from layout and inventory to quality control and patient communication, emphasizing the importance of quality, organization, and legal compliance.   Key  topics   Dispensary layout and space assessment Herb quality and sourcing from reliable suppliers Inventory management and reordering systems Labeling, patient instructions, and legal compliance Staff training and workflow optimization Sound bites   "Choose herb sources with third-party testing" "Always vet your herbal suppliers carefully" "Build credibility by understanding herbs deeply" Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Herbal Dispensary Setup 02:23 Why a Dispensary Matters in Your Practice 04:21 Choosing Quality Herbs and Reliable Sources 07:37 Pricing, Ethics, and Patient Trust 15:15 Dispensary Layout and Space Considerations 20:53 Inventory Management and Stocking Strategies 23:36 Labeling, Patient Communication, and Education 26:55 Legal and Regulatory Compliance 28:26 Workflow, Staffing, and Efficiency 32:15 Conclusion: Building a Thriving Herbal Practice

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About

The TCM Teach Podcast is designed specifically to help acupuncturists and chinese medicine herbalists to build thriving, sustainable businesses. The TCM Teach is created and hosted by practitioner, professor and business entrepreneur Matthew Sabey Smith, DACM, MSOM, Dipl.Ac., LAc. Thank for listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Sabey Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The TCM Teach Podcast