The JAX Chamber named Dr. Bridget Edkin, owner of Sláinte Chiropractic, its 2021 Small Business Leader of the Year at a breakfast reception Feb. 2.
Edkin was selected from a group of 12 finalists, chosen from the Chamber’s 10 councils, Beaches Division and Entrepreneurial Growth Division.
She is a member of the Beaches Divison. Her practice is at 2370 S. Third St. in Jacksonville Beach.
“Don’t you just think this thing is so cool, that we celebrate the heartbeat of America?” Edkin said of the Small Business Leader of the Year honor.
She has been in business since 2017 and in Jacksonville for 10 years.
When she attended her first Beaches Division meeting, she told herself she would one day be the Small Business Leader of the Year after a conversation with 2016 Small Business Leader of the Year John Miller.
“I went home and I was reflecting on my day and I said, ‘I’m going to do that, I’m going to be Small Business Leader of the Year,’” Edkin said.
Sláinte Chiropractic provides “affordable, principled, neurologically based Gonstead Chiropractic care,” according to its Facebook page. Its goal is to help patients reach their “greatest health expression.”
“Sláinte” is a common toast to good health in Ireland and Scotland.
Edkin thanked her husband, sister and 9-month-old daughter, who attended the event, in her acceptance speech, saying that without them “I wouldn’t have a practice.” She also has a young son.
She urged JAX Chamber members to support small businesses.
She said she wants more people to move to Jacksonville so more small businesses can thrive in the city.
“Think local, support it,” she said.
“It’s going to be a fantastic year full of uncertainty, but also joy. And if we focus on happiness and joy then we will really change this year to be an explosion of goodness out of what could have been a really dark time.”
