Dr. Erin Hallahan didn’t plan to become a business owner—but after years in the corporate world, she knew she needed something more hands-on and people-centered. Today, she’s the founder of The Carbon Collective, a multidisciplinary wellness clinic in San Diego offering chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, personal training, assisted stretching, and soon, acupuncture.

“I wanted to go home at the end of the day tired, but feeling like I helped somebody, not tired from making someone else a ton of money,” 

Redefining Healthcare, One Patient at a Time

Dr. Erin’s philosophy centers around providing high-quality, patient-focused care without insurance interference. The Carbon Collective runs on a cash-pay model, allowing her team to offer personalized treatments free from the restrictions and red tape of traditional healthcare.

“Patients are so fed up with the healthcare system that they’re seeking care outside of it anyway. We want to meet them with quality service that’s actually worth their money,” 

She also offers FSA/HSA support and “super bills” for potential reimbursement, but stays intentionally out of direct insurance relationships.

A Personal Turning Point

The decision to leave corporate life came after the sudden loss of her father—an event that clarified how unsustainable the corporate grind could be for both body and soul.

“Sitting at a desk all day was literally depressing to me. I’m extroverted. I love people. And I needed to work in a way that gave me energy—not drained it.”

With a business degree and no formal entrepreneurship training, she leapt into chiropractic school and quickly became self-employed to qualify for a visa to stay in the U.S. Her journey since has been one of fast learning and building community support from the ground up.

Building a Dream Team—and a Life She Loves

Dr. Erin opened The Carbon Collective in February 2025 and quickly built a supportive team around her. One of her greatest joys as a founder? The freedom to live life on her terms.

“I never miss weddings or music festivals. I’ve worked remotely while traveling. It’s a lot of work—but it’s my work. And I’m proud of what we’ve built here.”

She credits her ability to delegate and hire the right people as key to her success.

“I’m really big on ‘who, not how.’ Hire the expert. Don’t try to wear all the hats—it’ll cost you your sanity.”

The Vision Ahead

Right now, Dr. Erin is focused on stabilizing operations, hiring the right providers, and filling schedules to create a well-oiled, profitable machine. Long-term, she envisions expanding to new locations and empowering other providers to launch their own clinics under the Carbon Co. umbrella.

“I want this to grow with people who want to lead—but with support behind them. I see Carbon branching into recovery centers, IV therapy, even bringing in naturopathic doctors. That’s why I didn’t include ‘chiropractic’ in the name—I always knew it would be bigger.”

Advice for Fellow Founders

When asked what she’d tell her younger self, Dr. Erin was clear:

“Chill out. Lay the groundwork. You don’t need to leap without stepping stones. And don’t try to figure it all out alone—learn from people who’ve done it.”

She also emphasized the value of community, noting that many of her closest business connections have come from local networking events.

“It’s a different kind of conversation when you’re talking to another female founder. Those relationships have saved me on tough days.”

How to Support

The best way to support The Carbon Collective? Word-of-mouth referrals. If someone in your life is dealing with pain, injury, or chronic discomfort, Dr. Erin’s team can either help directly—or guide them to the right provider.

“We’re here to offer holistic solutions, even if we’re not the answer. Just send them our way—we’ll take it from there.”

Dr. Erin Hallahan’s journey is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship can be both healing and transformative. By building a clinic rooted in integrity, autonomy, and true patient care, she’s not only redefining what healthcare can look like—but also showing what’s possible when we trust our vision and lead with heart. Whether she’s supporting her team, guiding a patient, or dreaming up her next expansion, Dr. Erin embodies what it means to create a business with purpose. Her story invites us all to slow down, seek support, and believe in the long game of meaningful impact